Series 2a buying advice

**VK3UTE** · 26th May 2011, 04:49 PM

Thanks for that UncleHo

. I replaced the 1" 15/16' tap in ones some of which had been replace before. The motor is a little tired and has a bit much blow by so I will start to rebuild the spare motor as soon as I can. Looking at the part suppliers overseas the bits needed for a rebuild are not too expensive so thats the plan at this stage.

**VK3UTE** · 9th June 2011, 07:26 PM

Hi All.

Quick update on Mary's progress if anyone is interested. Engine rebuild underway on the spare motor(I think it is the original) block is ready for re boring just waiting for parts to arrive from the UK. Will start on the head this weekend.
Boy that crank dog on the front of the crankshaft is done up tight

1 inch drive impact gun didn't budge it!

Sledge hammer and 1 inch whitworth ring spanner did the job but

Picking up a Ute cab for her next week so will give it a coat of paint and bolt it on over the next few weeks. Love the way the SWB Ute's look.

Cheers Simon

Lostkiwi · 9th June 2011, 08:11 PM

Sounds good

Keep the pic's coming please, then we can say she's looking good

**VK3UTE** · 10th June 2011, 07:31 PM

Some photos for those interested

Bottom end prior to stripping down

and after the dirty work

That crank dog is done up tight

not even the big rattle gun would move it

Late night planned in the shed tonight stripping the head down

**VK3UTE** · 15th June 2011, 07:46 AM

Hi All. Check out the photos of Mary as she gets her top off

, and the ute cab going on

**VK3UTE** · 22nd October 2011, 08:59 PM

Hi All. Some more photos as things slowly progress. Have completed the engine rebuild and hope to have her back in the car over Melbourne Cup weekend. I still have to change the clutch throw out bearing and I
thought I might do the tie rod ends as they will never get any easier to get at!

Boy its been a big job cleaning all the parts, I'm so glad thats over

Next time I will have all the parts hot tanked and save myself days of work!

Using Plastigauge for the big end clearances.

Can wait to see how she runs!!!!

Cheers Simon.

**VK3UTE** · 19th November 2011, 03:33 PM

Fitted the new motor and she runs like a champion

Very satisfying after all that work. Just a small oil leak coming out of the fuel pump to fix somehow.
She even goes up hills in top gear now without filling the cab with smoke. Still bloody slow but!

Next job is to help Mary look a little nicer

**VK3UTE** · 28th November 2011, 08:17 PM

Mary gets some new shoes!

They helped her top speed a little too

I think we made it to 80kph

stevep · 1st December 2011, 11:32 AM

Nice photos of Mary - she looks good in her new shoes.

I need some new tyres for my 1958 swb ute "Cowra", & it still has the standard size swb rims -- So what size tyres & brand did you get?

thanks
Steve

**VK3UTE** · 1st December 2011, 12:09 PM

Hi Steve. I decided to go with LWB 5 1/2" rims and run 7.50 16, the larger diameter makes her a little faster. I,m thinking about changing the speedo as well to keep everything correct.

As for tyres I looked everywhere to find something that looked close to what would have been on her originally, not much to chose from. Bar treads look fantastic but they are bloody terrible to drive on

and I wanted radials. So, I took out a second mortgage(a helpful thing if you own land rovers) and had 5 new Michelin XZL's fitted with new tubes. Other than the pain in my back pocket I could not be happier with them and I think they look perfect, the side walls have a real 1960's look.

I don't think you can get XLZ's in 6.00 or 6.50 which you will need if you want to keep the original 5' rims. Antique tyres have both those sizes in bar treads if you like cross ply tyres and they would look the part

check out the pics

Cheers Simon

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