Sivvy130's 1997 130 Defender 300TDI Extended Cab Resto

Firstly Happy New year and apologies for my absence to all those following my resto.
Ive been rather caught up with work and family vehicles [emoji1304].

With all those sorted, a lots happened with the project in the past couple of months.

Firstly the gear box is finally rebuilt! After a full tear down of the main shaft and all reusable gears and selectors torn down cleaned and lubed. I began reassembling along with new bearings and baulk rings.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...2018/01/39.jpg

I’m rather happy with the outcome if I can say so myself. [emoji1303]

From this:https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...2018/01/40.jpg

To this:https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...2018/01/41.jpg

Also on another good note the cab has returned with a fresh coat of paint!

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...2018/01/42.jpg

Real eye candy! [emoji16][emoji16][emoji16]

All windows are now fitted, roof lining aswell as heater box, steering column and the dash is currently underway.
I’m stoked at the progress [emoji1303] she’s starting to look more like a Defender finally!

Will update more often now. It’s my New Years resolution [emoji6].

Regards,
Sivvy130

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...2018/01/43.jpghttps://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...2018/01/44.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...2018/01/45.jpghttps://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...2018/01/46.jpg

Great work and thanks for the update.

Its looking great!

Due to the weather here thanks to the cyclone or should I say tropical low! I wasn’t able to do much to the cab this weekend although it gave me a reason to tear down the 300Tdi engine.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...018/01/532.jpghttps://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...018/01/533.jpg

The goals for this engine is a pure strip down to bare block. All welsh plugs removed, oil jets, the works and send it off to Perth for an acid bath to clean any grime in the oil/coolant passages. After, I’ll have all my bores polished and surfaces levelled before rebuild.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...018/01/534.jpg
I’m going to send the cam and crank down to for a quick polish too.

Once returned she’ll receive new piston rings, big ends and main bearings and the reassembly will begin. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...018/01/535.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...018/01/536.jpghttps://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...018/01/537.jpghttps://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...018/01/538.jpghttps://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...018/01/539.jpghttps://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...018/01/540.jpg

As for the cylinder head I’m going to strip it down. Have it crack tested and have the corrosion machined if found to be fine. I believe that will be the case as she’s isn’t warped and looks in reasonable condition. New stem seals and valves to be lapped in.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...018/01/541.jpg

Now performance wise....

I’ve bought an allisport VGT turbocharger which I’m going to get the exhaust side/manifold and elbows ceramic coated. This coating will keep them not only looking nice [emoji6]
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...018/01/542.jpg but keeps the exhaust gas warmer for longer and encourages a better scavenging effect during the engine cycle. It’s all about those 1% horsepower gains, am I right?! Although in conjunction with the new turbo should provide the engine with a boot full of more power especially in the lower rpm range where I found the girl minimal under load especially.

New injectors will be installed and as I’m going to town I may replace or attempt to rebuild the injection pump.

I plan to also fit a 3” exhaust but keep it clean with muffler. I’ve heard other cars with straight through pipes and it’s brutal.

Any recommendations for shops or sites selling exhausts for the 300???

Other than that I hope this week to assemble in the floor pans and gearbox tunnel cover and have it ready for my new Exmoor trim seats and rubber moulding [emoji1305][emoji1305].

Stay tuned.

Regards,

Sivvy130

Sivvy
Love your work
I have 300tdi Conrod bolts and nuts, thrust washers and Conrod bearings
All brand new

I’ll never need them and they have been in the markets for a month with no interest

If you can use them I’ll pay them forward to your great little project

Steve

Hi Steve,
I’ll keep that in mind after I’ve carried out some measurements on the block, etc just to ensure I don’t need oversize.

[emoji1303]

I am full of envy with your mechanical expertise, energy levels and the way work is progressing. I can also imagine the dollars the rebuild it costing. Did you get your Ashcroft parts within Australia or did you order them direct from the UK?

When you are finished I doubt whether you will want to do extreme driving with it and get it all dirty. Haha!

If you have time can you tell us about your mechanical background.

Gary.

Hi Gary,

Abit of a background on me is nothing to out there. I grew up around vehicles and machinery as well as a mechanic for a brother. I like my landies and am a Mechanic by trade.

I tell ya what motivation is key to a lot of what I’ve done especially balancing work, etc. The vehicle actually use to belong to my father but when he passed away it’s been my goal to restore it to its greater glory that we had always planned to do. For me, completion is not only closure but also doing him proud.

Ashcroft bits I bought directly from Ashcroft themselves. I’ve found directly is the best price and knowing what you need/want on you’re first order will help get the job done quicker especially being in AU! Just be weary if you aren’t already that customs will sting hefty import taxes on anything over a $1000. Nothing a few separate orders can’t fix!

Haha it’ll be hard at first but you can’t stop something from doing what it’s made to do ;)

Michael.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by roverrescue

Sivvy
Love your work
I have 300tdi Conrod bolts and nuts, thrust washers and Conrod bearings
All brand new

I’ll never need them and they have been in the markets for a month with no interest

If you can use them I’ll pay them forward to your great little project

Steve

---

legend :BigThumb:

Been abit of a quiet week in the shed currently!

Defender is down at XW engineering here in Geraldton fabricating me up a new tray.
Once she’s all complete I’ll be taking it down to have it painted to factory paint code like my cab at West Coast Smash Repairs.

Hoping to have a few pics soon!

- Have finished measuring my engine block so I can progress it off to Perth for machining.

Basically cylinder bore taper and ovality was within spec so I’m only going to hone the bores.

Block will be sent for acid bathing, hone, cam bearing replacement and a quick skim over the deck face. After that I’ll prep the block for a touch of paint[emoji1303].

Will also have crank inspected and polished.

Turbo will also be going off for ceramic coating of exhaust components this week.

So plenty going on around the place besides here!

More to come!

Sivvy130