Where to start?

**BST4X4XFA** · 9th January 2012, 10:51 PM

Hi there Guys?

I got myself a 1966 Series IIA SWB which is in a semi re-build state. I think the brakes have been done but that is about it. I don't want to take the restoration all the way to showroom condition, I just want it to be mechanical sound and tidy.

I don't want to end up doing things twice. Thus I don't want to spend time to get it running to see what I need to fix.

So the question is where do you start?

I thought to do the following:

Axels
Transfer Case
Gear Box
Engine
Chassis
Body
Wiring
Misc

My wife bought me a Haynes repair manual for an IIA. I'm not sure if it will be adequate. I've heard of a restoration manual, does anybody know where I could get hold of one?

Here are some pics, I'll post more is time goes by.

Cheers, Jurgens.

**chazza** · 10th January 2012, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by BST4X4XFA

I don't want to take the restoration all the way to showroom condition, I just want it to be mechanical sound and tidy.

I don't want to end up doing things twice. Thus I don't want to spend time to get it running to see what I need to fix.

So the question is where do you start?

G'day Jurgens,
You have certainly thrown up a conundrum here!

I was about to suggest that you get it running to help you diagnose what is wrong with it, until I read your post again; however; I think making it driveable is still the best thing to do.

Once it is moving under its own power you will be able to assess: oil leaks; drivetrain backlash; brakes; strange noises; gearboxes, etc. From there you can work out a plan of attack.

Alternatively; you could do what I am doing to my S3 (which has the objective of spending as little as possible to make it safe and legal) and change all of the seals in the drivetrain; repair any rust; thoroughly clean the machine; squirt or brush Penetrol everywhere; get the engine running and then road-test it. I expect then to have to go back over some components to fix things.

It all depends on how much money you want to throw at it of course. If you "don't want to do things twice" then you might need to consider stripping the entire machine and thoroughly assessing and rebuilding everything; however; even that does not always achieve your goal. Recently I noticed an oil leak from my S1 relay, which was completely rebuilt properly and has sat still in the shed ever since. I put it down to an el-cheapo seal that has perished

Good luck with the restoration,

Cheers Charlie

**NiteMare** · 11th January 2012, 10:54 PM

usually the first thing to do is get the engine running so it can be moved around and assess the gearbox/brakes/steering/charging etc even if the engine runs rough it'll help to give you an idea

the sorts of things i'd possibly expect to give initial problems depending on how it's been stored is.... rusty brake drums, stiff steering relay (oil it), perished boots on the TRE's, master cylinders requiring overhaul/seals/replacing, transfer box output seal weep, sticky hi/lo linkage, hub seals/lands needing replacing, possible charging problem, bad earths, stuck clutch plate, brake flexi hoses collapsing internally, dry propshaft UJs/sliders, worn swivel pins and loose wheel bearings

that little list is the sort of things i'd expect to be looking at/examining along with rot in the chassis and bulkhead (that's back here in damp Blighty), suspension bushes and shocks would be on the list as well

i doubt you need/want the restoration manual, i've got one and flicked through it and then tossed it on the shelf, stick with your ordinary haynes maintenance manual and then for specific information/clarification i'd ask here or on the S2Club forum

i'd still get the engine running first even if i had to rig a temporary fuel feed off the wing unless i was planning to strip the vehicle

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