PaulP38a
21st November 2008, 12:19 AM
It looks very much like my 1995 P38A 4.6 HSE is going to be written off after it's swim a couple of weeks back. No word from NRMA yet whether it will be a reparable write-off or a statuatory write-off, so I don't know whether it will be worthwhile to consider buying it back for parts or to rebuild.
Ray at Canberra Motor Works managed to get the motor running but there was a rattle and a lot of vibrating - sounds like a rod was bent/broken. Combined with the 5 unhappy ECU's that went swimming it is going to be a very expensive repair job. So... if anyone is interested in it for parts, drop me a line and I'll let you know what is good/bad/so-so if/when I get the final verdict from NRMA.
I'm also going to have a bunch of spares and aftermarket bits to get rid of if I don't buy another P38A. Stuff like rear bar and tyre carrier, front and rear light protectors, filters, belts, spark leads, cargo/dog guard, side lamps/lenses, hand-made lambswool front seat covers etc.
Since I couldn't be a*sed going through the hassle of getting NRMA to get me a hire car for a "max of 2 weeks", I bought a 1991 Suzuki Sierra soft-top "Zook" as a run-around until I figure out what to do. What a difference to the P38a:
1.3L carby motor vs 4.6L EFI V8 - I'm expecting lower fuel bills.
60 Kph seems fast, 80 Kph feels scary vs effortless crusing at the speed limit (or above so I'm told ;)).
leaf spring suspension all round vs P38A air springs.
sits slightly taller than a conventional car (not lifted - yet) vs height adjustable EAS.
no computers (not a bad thing) vs computers for everything :cool:
saying that the seats are adequate is being too kind. The P38A electronic memory seats are like lounge chairs by comparison.
mismatched road tyres on the Zook are scary. Cooper ST's on the P38A were a dream by comparison, especially off-road.
Zook climate control = windows up/down, roof on/off, and noisy fan vs set-and-forget in P38A.
2H, 4H and 4L with front locking hubs - first 4WD I've ever had that wasn't permanent 4WD. Actually, first non Land Rover 4WD I've had after 3 Rangies and a Freelander.What a great little car - I love it's simplicity! Even if/when I do get another P38A, D3 or L322 I reckon I'll keep the Zook for fun. With a bit of time and money it could be an awesome off-road toy. There are some brilliant mods available for them too. I'm sending it off to Hume Off Road next week for a "what does it need doing to it, and what CAN we do to it" session :cool:. My son wants to buy it off me when I get another Rangie... we'll see.
If you see this little black Zook around Canberra or Queanbeyan, please be nice. After driving a 2.5 tonne P38A for the past 5 years, I'm still getting used to the idea of driving around in something that would be the "crumple zone" to a Land Rover (to paraphrase Blknight.Aus' sig line) :)
cheers
Paul.
Ray at Canberra Motor Works managed to get the motor running but there was a rattle and a lot of vibrating - sounds like a rod was bent/broken. Combined with the 5 unhappy ECU's that went swimming it is going to be a very expensive repair job. So... if anyone is interested in it for parts, drop me a line and I'll let you know what is good/bad/so-so if/when I get the final verdict from NRMA.
I'm also going to have a bunch of spares and aftermarket bits to get rid of if I don't buy another P38A. Stuff like rear bar and tyre carrier, front and rear light protectors, filters, belts, spark leads, cargo/dog guard, side lamps/lenses, hand-made lambswool front seat covers etc.
Since I couldn't be a*sed going through the hassle of getting NRMA to get me a hire car for a "max of 2 weeks", I bought a 1991 Suzuki Sierra soft-top "Zook" as a run-around until I figure out what to do. What a difference to the P38a:
1.3L carby motor vs 4.6L EFI V8 - I'm expecting lower fuel bills.
60 Kph seems fast, 80 Kph feels scary vs effortless crusing at the speed limit (or above so I'm told ;)).
leaf spring suspension all round vs P38A air springs.
sits slightly taller than a conventional car (not lifted - yet) vs height adjustable EAS.
no computers (not a bad thing) vs computers for everything :cool:
saying that the seats are adequate is being too kind. The P38A electronic memory seats are like lounge chairs by comparison.
mismatched road tyres on the Zook are scary. Cooper ST's on the P38A were a dream by comparison, especially off-road.
Zook climate control = windows up/down, roof on/off, and noisy fan vs set-and-forget in P38A.
2H, 4H and 4L with front locking hubs - first 4WD I've ever had that wasn't permanent 4WD. Actually, first non Land Rover 4WD I've had after 3 Rangies and a Freelander.What a great little car - I love it's simplicity! Even if/when I do get another P38A, D3 or L322 I reckon I'll keep the Zook for fun. With a bit of time and money it could be an awesome off-road toy. There are some brilliant mods available for them too. I'm sending it off to Hume Off Road next week for a "what does it need doing to it, and what CAN we do to it" session :cool:. My son wants to buy it off me when I get another Rangie... we'll see.
If you see this little black Zook around Canberra or Queanbeyan, please be nice. After driving a 2.5 tonne P38A for the past 5 years, I'm still getting used to the idea of driving around in something that would be the "crumple zone" to a Land Rover (to paraphrase Blknight.Aus' sig line) :)
cheers
Paul.