Thread: Bundalene's Puma project

We have 2 registered cars presently, a 2006 Defender with 65,000kms and a 1999 D2 with 270,000kms. I was originally planning to buy a D3 and replace the D2 and then this came along.

The plan at this stage is to keep the PUMA as a town car and build it up with the usual items for touring as in fuel and water tanks, batteries and a few other things I have in mind.

Before we go away with a new vehicle I will want to become farmiliar with it, including the purchase of some sort of diagnostic, workshop manuals etc, sort the diffs, turbo hoses, ..... This engine and gearbox is something quite new for myself.

Erich

PUMA observations: I am very impressed with the build and assembly of this vehicle.

I have at least 1 week to kill before the chassis is looked at by the repairer, so between now and then there is time to reflect on an engine / gearbox hanging on a chain block, a rolling chassis and a body shell.


On a good note, the starter motor seems easy to remove - easier than the TD5 at least, except maybe for about 59 hoses in front of it.

It appears to be removed from the side by several bolts, quite easy (I haven't removed it)









On the above pic one can see a bracked attached to the removable cross member. Does anyone know what the purpose of this bracket is?



This pic from back a bit shows the hoses, you can't actually see the starter motor.










On a poor note, the position of the exhaust in relation to the front UNI. How does one ever remove this Uni. Maybe there is an easier way than removing the tailshaft without firstly removing the body shell








and then there is the crank angle sensor heat cover. We removed this in 2 seconds and took 10 minutes to put it back, and that is with no obstacles such as firewalls to deal with. I think I now know how the cover physically goes back on



I have heaps more to comment on, such as a plastic turbo inlet?

Erich

Originally Posted by Bundalene

I have heaps more to comment on, such as a plastic turbo inlet?

Erich

and the rusty engine block?? FFS this car is only 3 months old.

The thing i found interesting today was the rear half of the exhaust is the same as the td5, however the front half is unique , and 5mm smaller than the rear half.

Oh, and did anyone know that puma's have an in-built Hyclone in the air cleaner inlet?

Andy

Interesting project and I like the use of the hoist. Do you reckon the newer Defenders have a smaller guage steel in the chassis and the side impact maybe wasn't that hard? Its just the body looks not too bad considering?

Rich

Hi Rich,

if anything there appear to be more strengthening ribs and gussets than the earlier TD1 chassis.

I have had it confirmed the chassis goes in for straughtening early next week - Monday or Tuesday. I can't wait. There is a lot to do but I am a bit reluctant until the chassis is back.

Erich

Originally Posted by andrew e

and the rusty engine block?? FFS this car is only 3 months old.

The thing i found interesting today was the rear half of the exhaust is the same as the td5, however the front half is unique , and 5mm smaller than the rear half.

Oh, and did anyone know that puma's have an in-built Hyclone in the air cleaner inlet?

Andy

Andy, L/R are just " seasoning the block", it will get a quick spray can paint job at the dealers first service.

Originally Posted by andrew e

and the rusty engine block?? FFS this car is only 3 months old.

The thing i found interesting today was the rear half of the exhaust is the same as the td5, however the front half is unique , and 5mm smaller than the rear half.

Oh, and did anyone know that puma's have an in-built Hyclone in the air cleaner inlet?

Andy

Some pics of the inside of the PUMA air cleaner box from the inlet end


























There seems to be a heck of a restriction. There is probably maddness in the method but the reason for the 'Hyclone device" beats me.

Erich

No wonder I hadn't seen it before. Hadn't looked along that portion of the inlet.

It does appear to be a separately made piece so I assume it can be removed, but how easily would be the question.