Thread: 2a GS Refurb ARN 178-334

The hardtop is sold, someone is going to try and fit it to a Defender.

The hood bows are installed, the parts that fit round the doors are ready to be painted.
Removing the multiple layers of olive drab took a while.

I need to replace the vent seals as they have decomposed, removed the vents for painting and removed about 6 layers of paint from them !
Next I'll get a hand to remove the windscreen, once I've painted the top of the bulkhead I'll fit the windscreen I painted a while ago.

The seal between bulkhead & windscreen needs to be replaced, I was surprised at the cost.....luckily I had one 'in stock'.
Seal - bulkhead to windscreen - Paddock Spares

Colin

Picture attached showing the layers of paint and the decomposed seal.
The chap I got the Land Rover from was ex Army and he claimed the vehicles were re-painted whenever top brass visited, looking at the layers it's been re-painted many times.
Interestingly my Series III FFR seems to be in it's original paint.

Somehow I need to strip the multiple layers of paint on the top edge of the bulkhead & re-paint. Probably a fair bit of masking which is something the Army didn't do ! I'd better buy some more paint stripper......

While looking at the rear crossmember I found the NATO trailer socket has rusted badly so when I tidy up the back end I need to find a replacement !

Looking forward to getting this one and the FFR finished so I can get back to the Dormobile.


Colin

I've made some seat covers and about to fit them to new bases with new foam.

Decided today to start it up as it just sits idle in the back shed.
Firstly no electrics when the key was turned, cleaned battery terminals and power returned.
Tipped some fuel into the inlet, manually operated the fuel pump a few times (although it didn't seem to fill the line and reduce the lever travel), turned the key and nothing ! I'd removed the instrument panel trying to work out why the charging light isn't working and had displaced a wire, re-fitted and....it still wouldn't start. Tried a few times, more petrol down the inlet fired briefly but wouldn't run.
Decided it was probably the fuel pump again, I've had stale petrol stick the valves previously.
Took the top off the carby and there was no fuel in the float chamber. Filled the float chamber and it started but......the temperature gauge & fuel gauge weren't working !

Turned it off and fiddled with the fuses and the gauges came good. Once the engine was running the fuel pump seemed to wake up.

At one point the charging light came on when the key was turned but it's back to no light again ! Looks like I need to strip and clean every electrical connection at some point in the near future.


Colin

I had trouble starting the IIa a few weeks ago, once again the valves in the fuel pump had stuck.
Combination of old fuel and lack of use.

Started OK today, moved it out of the shed to strip paint around the windscreen vents.
If I'm careful the stripper removes the top 5-6 layers and I can then sand back to the original paint. Managed to get half done and had to move on to another job.
I'll try & finish it off another weekend and prep for paint.
I noticed a lot of oil coming from the rocker box. I've not touched the top end so I'll have to degrease and fit a new gasket at some point.

Noticed a IIa FFT on Market Place for $3,500 today, thought about it for a few seconds then wondered how I'd manage after the divorce....



Colin

Stripped the tow bracket and started removing the rear lights today.

Once I've stripped off multiple layers of paint I'll respray the rear end. I did notice today that the tailgate looks like it's been replaced at some point (in-service ??), the paint came off very easily.
New tailgate seals need to be made & fitted. Strangely the side seals had the steel strip inside but were glued in place but there were still rivet heads in the body. Looks like the originals were chiseled off and new ones glued rather than riveted into place.
The recess for the seal was in a bad away so I had to practice some panel beating.

I'll make new seals now I have seal material, gal strip & truss head rivets.....

Next I need to paint the area around the vent flaps so I can re-attach the windscreen, mirrors & bonnet and then give the GS a good clean.

Finally each side to then strip & paint.

The paint came off the tailgate fairly easily.
I also noticed it's a later version, rather than riveted on rubbing strips the inner is pressed steel with embossed ribs.

So far about 6 applications of paint stripper to get the paint off the rear of the vehicle, tailgate must have been fitted after respray number 6 or 8.

Purchased some camouflage green paint before Christmas so once the rear is stripped I can paint and then re-fit the scone cutters.


Colin

That later tailgate is, I think, from later Series 3, and is a vast improvement on the old ones if the vehicle is actually used (I have one on my 2a).

Originally Posted by JDNSW

That later tailgate is, I think, from later Series 3, and is a vast improvement on the old ones if the vehicle is actually used (I have one on my 2a).

Thanks John,
Possibly an in-service replacement as it has a couple of layers of camo green paint.
Grey undercoat, hinges pigtails etc. fitted before the camo green was applied

The two hinges are slightly different so maybe one was replaced at the same time.

There's damage down the passenger side with a riveted on patch panel and slight damage to the bottom of the A pillar (bulkhead). Looks like one side was damaged, the door was replaced and the patch fitted.
The person I got it from was ex. Army and he felt that it was the sort of repair that would have been carried out in-service rather than changing the complete tub.

One rear brake backplate had a flat ground on the lower edge and the diff had a brazed repair where it had been dragged on the road surface, maybe lost a wheel at some point in it's life ?

Back to paint removal...........


Colin