New kid on the block - Series IIA 1970 SWB

**damiane** · 10th July 2015, 09:36 PM

UHaving finished moving house and almost finished unpacking - as if you ever finish unpacking!

- I have started to get stuck in to him. [I have decided it is a him not a her but still deciding between two possible monikers] Not a lot to show for a lot of hours work so nothing much to photograph

Got my first box of goodies from Rover**** Pl**. Have fitted a new steering damper (chose the Armstrong) new wiper switch and blades. Now have actual working wipers! Fixed the bad earth in the motor. Stripped, cleaned out and regreased wiper gearbox mechanism. Think I maybe should have packed more grease in there.

Replaced all three seat belts. Although I purchased the brackets to mount to the cab I ended up using the already installed mounting points on the bulkhead top rail and lower wall as these were heavily reinforced and clearly had been acceptable for registration purposes in the past.

Fitted new muffler/tail pipe. Very respectable noises now.

Replaced the rubber boot on the transmission brake which is one air/noise leak fixed. Only 40 to go. !!!!!!!

Removed the Smiths round type (leaking) heater from the bulkhead. Mechanic said that for RWC if it has a heater it must work BUT if it doesn't have a heater there is nothing to be failed. I suppose there is some logic to that.

Hit the bottom, wheel arches, chassis and engine bay with the first full-on attack of removing accumulated mud, grease and oil from underside. I should add I did that first up before starting anything else. Having spent some time underneath today I realise how much I missed. Several more attacks will be required. Could have started a new garden bed with what I got out today. Great red soil from a vineyard. Washed out the tub. Apart from being 46 years old it is positively gleaming.

Removed the defunct windscreen washer reservoir and attached pump as the latter is RS. I think this was an after market add-on anyway so I'm off to Autob*** in the a.m. To buy a "universal" kit to fit and wire in.

Also got to get relays and H4 filaments for the Wipac replacement headlights. Studying up on relay installation. Been 40 years since I used to do all that stuff on the team rally cars. I gather the go is to use two relays; one for Low beam and one for High.

Next fiddle job after headlights will be the window channels which are completely shot. I bought a channel replacement kit and have been reading all the posts on here that I can find to work out a process for the task.

Question: what product do people prefer as the mastic on which to bed the fixed glass?

Question: which is better: screws for the channel pieces or liquid adhesive, silastic, etc?

Have started the "tyre search". Grief! So many opinions on what tyre goes on what rim. To say I am now totally confused is an understatement. This makes Constitutional Law look easy.

Have ordered a new radiator cap as an easy fix but engine is still running cold. Never gets to normal on gauge so may pull the thermostat out and test it.

Have a swivel gasket set on order. Once that is in and headlights are better than 3 candlepower he will be ready for RWC and then we can do the deal. Officially.

In closing I have to say: "I can't believe how much fun it is to drive a 1969 SWB 2A." And you can quote me!

**crackers** · 10th July 2015, 10:27 PM

Sorry, no photo, didn't happen

For what it's worth, I too am amazed at the amount of dirt that can build up on these beasts. My daughter was cleaning out some impacted dust between the front of the fuel tank and a cross member - it was 6" deep

**damiane** · 10th July 2015, 10:37 PM

I hope that doesn't mean I'll have to do it all again tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day a la Groundhog Day but without Andie MacDowell!

Originally Posted by crackers

Sorry, no photo, didn't happen

For what it's worth, I too am amazed at the amount of dirt that can build up on these beasts. My daughter was cleaning out some impacted dust between the front of the fuel tank and a cross member - it was 6" deep

**crackers** · 10th July 2015, 10:45 PM

Yup

Names. There was a stupid movie years ago, and I can't remember the name or what it was about, but one thing sticks with me (and annoys the hell out of my kids) - "His name's Bruce, they're all named Bruce".
Might work for your Landy

**JDNSW** · 11th July 2015, 05:31 AM

Originally Posted by damiane

........
Question: what product do people prefer as the mastic on which to bed the fixed glass?

Question: which is better: screws for the channel pieces or liquid adhesive, silastic, etc?

......

I'm also interested to hear the answer on the mastic - the original is stuff that came in strips, but I don't know if it is available today.

Screws, for my money - I expect to want to get them out again in the future!

John

**Pickles2** · 11th July 2015, 06:58 AM

From the little I can see from your images, that looks like a very nice original vehicle, so I'd be trying to keep it that way,...in which regard, I'd be getting the original RARE Smiths Heater fixed,...might be difficult, but that makes it all the more worthwhile in the end, & after all, it "belongs" there.
Nice vehicle, Pickles.

**damiane** · 11th July 2015, 08:26 AM

Pickles,

If I had unlimited resources I MIGHT restore it although my researches indicate there are a number of after-market heaters around that would provide real heat levels - taking into account that it is mostly a non-insulated aluminium box. I do understand the 'original look' perspective and if this wasn't to be a daily commuter but a concour exhibit I would feel compelled to have it restored. But the costs I have sourced for overseas restoration are outrageous IMHO

; clearly designed to gouge

that portion of the Series owner's market that feel they must have the original. I get the impression that the OS repairers figure they can charge the maximum they think the market will bear and while buyers may cringe they will still pay! just don't tell SWMBO what it cost

Not saying I am going to throw it on the tip or something silly like that. I will drain it properly, dry it out and box it up. When I am toes up it can be sold with the vehicle no doubt enhancing the prospects for sale to a good home and a new owner who is prepared to spend an overseas return airfare on a 60's design car heater.

Originally Posted by Pickles2

From the little I can see from your images, that looks like a very nice original vehicle, so I'd be trying to keep it that way,...in which regard, I'd be getting the original RARE Smiths Heater fixed,...might be difficult, but that makes it all the more worthwhile in the end, & after all, it "belongs" there.
Nice vehicle, Pickles.

**Pickles2** · 11th July 2015, 09:00 AM

No worries.
Like I said, it looks like you have a nice original vehicle, and I look forward to seeing more of it.
Pickles.

**gromit** · 11th July 2015, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by JDNSW

I'm also interested to hear the answer on the mastic - the original is stuff that came in strips, but I don't know if it is available today.

Screws, for my money - I expect to want to get them out again in the future!

John

4 Wheel drives sell this.

Needs to be worked in the warm (indoors or wait until summer).

Boxes of stainless screws are cheap. Countersunk for the glazing strips & pan head for the aluminium angle at the front.

Colin

**crackers** · 11th July 2015, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by damiane

If I had unlimited resources I MIGHT restore it although my researches indicate there are a number of after-market heaters around that would provide real heat levels - taking into account that it is mostly a non-insulated aluminium box

Investigate keeping the original heater case and fitting something effective inside - no, it won't 'be original' but it would 'look original'.

There was a recent discussion about heaters on here recently. Try to find that as it did offer options.

Thread: New kid on the block - Series IIA 1970 SWB

Thread Tools

Update

No photo = didn't happen

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions