Thread: Walter the Dormobile

Originally Posted by gromit

John,
The tank is the same shape as the Series 2/3 16 gallon unit but missing the filler tube & vent at the back.


Colin

Definitely not Series 1 then - and does not seem to be the factory aux tank 552328, but probably an aftermarket one copied from this but extended to the larger size.

John

The under seat fill tanks are standard on Brit military lightweights and Australian military gunbuggies. They could be purchased as an option through the Land Rover parts chain.

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

The under seat fill tanks are standard on Brit military lightweights and Australian military gunbuggies. They could be purchased as an option through the Land Rover parts chain.

That is the 552328 I referred to, isn't it, not the 16 gallon one in this vehicle? The larger tank is not listed in the optional equipment parts book.

John

Fairy Nuff!

The 16 gal tanks were introduced on the SIII but many were retrofitted to SIIa. In 1976 Leyland Australia/PMC Enfield did a run of 15 gal underseat fill tanks for the 109 station wagons most if not all went to LROCS members. They were 15 gal because they had a scallop out of the rear top corner to clear the bodywork behind the front seats (rear passenger footwells) the difference between those and this one is that the filler neck and cap was the same as the Mini and Morris 1100.

Perhaps Doormobile had these made up as options for their builds.

Changed the engine, gearbox & transfer box oil.
Levels were OK and oil drained wasn't too bad.

Then went to drain the rear axle (Salisbury) and found a problem with the drain plug. Looks like someone had replaced the drain plug with a cast iron one (like the level plug) which had been grounded and snapped the square head off !
Oil level was OK so left it for the time being, might be an axle out to resolve that one.....

Checked brakes and linings all OK, no weeping cylinders (but I will replace all the rubbers down the track). Brake flexi's cracking and all the rigid pipes very rusty. Swivel hub seals need to be replaced.

The 'to do' list is getting longer.


Colin

Hi Colin

With Salisbury axle assemblies, it is also worthwhile to check that there is no oil seep marks on the axle tubes where they insert into the casting for the Salisbury diff centre. It is a sign of the tubes working inside the centre housing and of potential/imminent failure.

If there is any evidence of oil it needs to be investigated or the housing/assembly replaced.

Diana

After checking the brakes at the weekend I went down to take a few photos and found a wet patch on the drivers floor !
Master cylinder leaking badly after me testing the brakes at the weekend.......
Bugger, looks like I'l be working on the pedal boxes sooner rather than later.

Colin

Decided to flush the cooling system & replace the corrosion inhibitor.

The coolant looked nice & green and smelt OK but who knows how long it had been in there and what type of coolant it actually was.
Checked the hoses and they were cracking from old age (I know the feeling) so thought it best to change them as well.

Top hose was easy, bottom hose was a PITA because of a bulbous end on the water pump connection. Ended up with the hose end in boiling water & some dishwash liquid to help it slide on. Took several attempts but after a few skinned knuckles and choice words it fitted.
Then came the short hose on the water pump, probably best fitted when the head is lifted. Checked the length of the new one against the old and remembered the old trick fitting Mini bypass hoses. Cut about 1/2" off the length, into boiling water to make it flexible and then slid it up onto the water pump then back down into position.

So new hoses, new hose clamps, new coolant mixed with tankwater and after checking for leaks I put Walter away. Next job is to pull out the pedal boxes and reseal the master cylinders.

The radiator top tank has been repaired and looks as though it has been over pressurised in the past, also it doesn't look the same as my other Series II's but then this one is from the UK.

DSCN3415 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

DSCN3413 by Colin Radley, on Flickr


Colin