Introducing Hedley

**garrywlh** · 11th July 2013, 08:24 PM

Meet Hedley, the 1967 Series 2a SWB (chassis # 243 14067 D).

I have named him in honour of the British character actor, Hedley Mattingly who influenced me as a small boy watching him play the role of Officer Hedley, the Game Warden in the TV series 'Daktari'. Inspired me to actually travel to Africa to see a little bit of it for myself.

Here you can see a 3 minute video we made today Driving Hedley - YouTube
of Hedley's last drive before he is completely deconstructed prior to a rebuild. Surprising how double declutching comes back to you after many years (my first car was a Morris 1100).

Hedley's been used fairly regularly on a property until recently, but, naturally, is a long way off roadworthy, my ultimate goal.

2.25 Rover engine starts first time and burbles away quite happily. Pretty smokey, so I suspect the rings (among other things) are the problem. We'll see when the engine comes out.

As you can see, I have started the deconstruction phase. Hardtop canopy is off, bonnet, doors, tailgate, lights...and much more to come.

Chassis is pretty badly knocked about, I'm afraid, but can't be helped. I mainly wanted a good engine and drivetrain to get things started.

I am a complete novice, with no real mechanical background, but I needed a stay-at-home project that would stretch my mind and challenge my skills, as I am full time carer of my 17 year old son who has been quadriplegic with cerebral palsy since birth. I don't get out much! He is wrapped that we can do this together and is taking a keen interest. You can see him in his wheelchair in the video. He edited the video for me on his computer.

Anyway, over the months (and years!) ahead, I hope to keep you all posted, as I have gained so much from reading through the many helpful threads others have put here.

cheers,

Garry (and Christopher)

**garrywlh** · 12th July 2013, 05:33 AM

hope I have managed to attach these pictures properly...

**Cannon** · 12th July 2013, 09:17 AM

Love the video.

You're lucky to have such a big yard to drive around in until road worthy

**Ozdunc** · 12th July 2013, 09:59 AM

That vid was excellent

I'm looking forward to the story of Hedley's rebuild

**Cobber** · 12th July 2013, 07:56 PM

Rough and ready(ish!) ... I love it

**garrywlh** · 15th July 2013, 06:34 AM

Thanks guys,

When I said it was Hedley's 'last drive' before the refit, I should have also mentioned it was my 'first drive'. And what a hoot, even though there was oil smoke everywhere and it was only around our driveway. You can see the silly grin on my face.

I have never driven a Land Rover, let alone a Series IIA, but it was great. The engine sounds fantastic and I love having no roof or doors on.

Yep, we will try to update you with as many little videos as possible along the way. My son is very keen to produce them. It's a bit of a pain getting cameras set up and operating them with oily hands, but we'll try.

Now back to wrestling with rusty bolts.

**ezyrama** · 18th July 2013, 01:29 PM

Very very nice, I thought it might have been named after Hedley LeMarr from Blazing Saddles!!!

As for the oily hands, $6.00 pack of latex gloves from coles, I have used them on Ralph and Smeg
and they have been fantastic. Just a bit of talcum powder on the hands before putting them on
makes it easier and the hands don't sweat as much. Keep the photo's and video's coming.
Cheers Ian

**garrywlh** · 18th July 2013, 02:36 PM

What a great movie. Actually, my old man said the same thing about Hedley LeMarr! Not that I am saying you are old.

Thanks for the tip about the gloves. Will give them a try.

The camera thing is the very reason so few of you LR restorers make videos - it is one thing to grab a quick still shot of an item and carry on. It is another thing to actually use a hand held, or move a tripod and try to pan a shot while at the same time wrestling with a recalcitrant bolt! Not to mention that I would be showing you in glorious colour all the mistakes I constantly make! The recording of the colourful language might have something to do with it also.

But, I will try, as there is nothing like a nicely put together little piece of video.

Garry

**garrywlh** · 22nd July 2013, 08:19 AM

Hedley leans noticeably to the right and I am not referring to his voting intentions.

A quick measurement puts his driver's side about 20mm closer to the ground than his passenger side. What would be the reason for this? It isn't tyre pressure. The springs? The spring clamping plates are very close to the same height off the ground on each side.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Garry

**Ozdunc** · 22nd July 2013, 09:46 AM

Saggy springs.
You could try swapping then from side to side to see if that helps.
I had mine reset but whilst it sits back at normal ride height theres a definate lean to the drivers side front. I swapped the springs over and it still sat to the drivers side.
I've got some individual leafs for the front which I'm going to install at some point to see if that helps (but I need to get the engine in first)

Thread: Introducing Hedley

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Introducing Hedley

oh, some 'before' pics

thanks

leaning to the right

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