Thread: My 1968 IIa Shorty V8

A very fine example of a well loved Series vehicle.
You have reason to be very proud of it, a job well done.
Is it heavy to steer with the 8" rims and the V8 motor?
Did the V8 conversion retain the series gearbox and if so has it stood up well to the power?



Cheers, Mick.

Originally Posted by mick88

A very fine example of a well loved Series vehicle.
You have reason to be very proud of it, a job well done.
Is it heavy to steer with the 8" rims and the V8 motor?
Did the V8 conversion retain the series gearbox and if so has it stood up well to the power?



Cheers, Mick.

Hi Mick,
Thanks for your kind comments.
Yes, you do notice a bit of a difference at low speed (parking, etc) but no real difference at speed. The V8 engine (being an alloy block) is actually about 30kg or so lighter than the cast iron 2.25L 4 cylinder engine, so the V8 has not made the steering any heavier.
The V8 conversion did retain the original gearbox and transfer case which has never had a failure (that I know of) in its 35 years of life with the V8. The gearbox has been rebuilt at least once over this time however. I think the longevity of the drive-train can be more attributed to the way it has been driven, than its shear strength. A bit of mechanical empathy goes a long way! On the other hand, its not as if its had an "easy" life. Most of its use when Dad owned it, was carting a family of five and all their gear all over the victorian high country! As anyone who has been through the high country would know, there's not many "easy" tracks in that part of the world.

Cheers,

That looks absolutely fantastic, I hope mine comes out as well as that. What did you use to repaint it? I'm currently sanding mine back ready for a respray and want to get it right.

Looks awesome - esp inside.

Am I missing something, is it running without a filter?

Great looking Landy no doubt about it! I like the idea of the 3.5 V8 in a standard series, would love to do it when my 2.25 lets go (its now got the death rattle from the big ends its not registered just a farm Ute though) The whole trick with the original gearbox is to treat it like a Series box no matter what engine and not dump the clutch and floor it on bitumen ( should be right on dirt and mud though). Hows the V8 fit with the bulkhead and what kind of conversion plate? Keep us posted on how it's going and whats new.

You say that the wheel rims were widened sometime back in the 1980s. They look great. Do you, or does anyone here know where I might be able to get that done in the 2010s?

Many thanks for any advice, and congrats once again on your great IIa.

Garry

Russ, I know that car, I remember lying under it with the sump off, about 24 years ago when Michelle owned it (She bought it from your Dad) - We replaced the bottom end bearings from memory. ( Ive got some pics of it from back then in storage, but wont be getting near them for 12 months or so)

Originally Posted by garrywlh

You say that the wheel rims were widened sometime back in the 1980s. They look great. Do you, or does anyone here know where I might be able to get that done in the 2010s?

Many thanks for any advice, and congrats once again on your great IIa.

Garry

Garry, Eastern wheel works in Lilydale will do it for you, Ive had them do a few sets for me, from memory back then it had Alliance tyres on it, (made in Israel) in the day when you could only get Roadtrack majors and Bar Treads they were real head turners.

that is a nice car with a fab history for you.
i love it.

now, how do i get my disco v8 into my little series without her indoors noticing?