Orkney 90's Series 2A Project

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Originally Posted by bacicat

One of the weaknesses of these engines is the exhaust valves can burn resulting in low compression and poor performance. Assuming that it is in good condition at the moment, I would adjust the exhaust valve clearences as soon as you get it. It's not a hard job, but requires the exhaust manifold to be removed to do it properly for access - which is one of the reasons this job didn't get done as regularly as it should in Civilian life. Remove the side plate below the exhaust manifold and you'll see the tappets there - they are as simple to adjust as any other engine then, just a flat blade screwdriver, 1/2" ring spanner and some feeler gauges.

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You can do the exhaust valve clearances without removing the manifold.
Instead you have to remove the dipstick tube, then take off the sidecover and get it from under the manifold.
Then get on top of the motor and ....

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...016/01/245.jpg

A friend who has a Rover 3litre car has a theory about the six cylinder motors. Because they are a bit thirsty people run them lean and that leads to the exhaust valve failures.
My FFR motor had been reconditioned by the army then run on a farm then by a young guy who had done a lot of offroading, exhaust valves were fine.

Nice vehicle you've found, shame about the chassis though. Maybe someone is parting out a vehicle and could supply the crossmember, worth an advert in Markets.


Colin

Yes, that cross member has certainly seen better days! Interesting that so many of them have been bent over the years, must be the design.

It's that spring hanger that has me scratching my head. What on Earth could have caused that kind of damage?

One thing that I have forgotten to mention and take a photo of is behind the seats. Still has what I presume is the original crank handle, an old hydraulic bottle-jack and its handle attached to the bulkhead above the crank handle.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gromit

You can do the exhaust valve clearances without removing the manifold.
Instead you have to remove the dipstick tube, then take off the sidecover and get it from under the manifold.
Then get on top of the motor and ....

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...016/01/245.jpg

A friend who has a Rover 3litre car has a theory about the six cylinder motors. Because they are a bit thirsty people run them lean and that leads to the exhaust valve failures.
My FFR motor had been reconditioned by the army then run on a farm then by a young guy who had done a lot of offroading, exhaust valves were fine.

Nice vehicle you've found, shame about the chassis though. Maybe someone is parting out a vehicle and could supply the crossmember, worth an advert in Markets.


Colin

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You know me Colin - do you think I'd be able to adjust the tappets like in the photo? :D

I think you'd be calling the Fire Brigade in to rescue me...

A couple of comments.

You have what looks like a very good specimen, albeit with a few specific problems.

Some minor chassis repairs - these may be easier with the rear body off, not a very big job with the hardtop - and easier with impact damage such as this rather than the more usual rust problems. I wonder if this damage resulted in it being taken out of service fairly early in its life rather than being run into the ground?

I note that you have station wagon rear springs - these are a major improvement in ride if used empty, while retaining load carrying ability.

I suggest you probably have clutch hydraulics problems, and replacing or overhauling the master and slave cylinders is probably needed. From the picture, the hydraulic line from the master cylinder looks non-standard and this may be part of the problem.

However, this may also mean it has had the gearbox replaced by a Series 3 one, probably to get all synchromesh (not something I would do!). If it has the 2a gearbox and clutch (slave cylinder on RH side), then another possible clutch issue is the clutch release shaft coupling. The bell crank operated by the slave cylinder has its shaft coupled to the release shaft inside the bell housing by a sleeve with two pins through holes in the sleeve and each shaft - these pins can break, resulting in the symptoms described. Replace with the correct hardened pin - a mild steel pin or bolt will only last a few kilometres.

John

That's a great looking SIIa 109. I look forward to seeing what you do with it.

Nathan.

G'day Orkney 90


That is a very clean and original vehicle,the flat heater was an expensive extra in those days,good for demisting the w/screen but not much else,the rear spring looks like it might be in back to front,measure the other one,from the front shackle pin to centre bolt,and compare them,I note that this vehicle has not got the brake booster fitted,(optional extra)but you might consider fitting one for use in today's traffic,if so,use a Series 3 booster and brake tower complete 6bolts(captive nuts)1/4turn and lift away after disconnecting the pipework,if using a booster,get the S3 upper r/h front guard as it has the cutout for the booster or one from an EARLY 110.


Hope that is of help.


cheers

Thank you UncleHo. At the moment I am in a state of frustration. It took me over a week to get the car from when I purchased it, and all day yesterday it rained... And it has just started raining very heavily again. I could push it into my garage, but these new modern suburban garages don't leave me any room to get around the car to do any serious work.

So now I am drinking a nice strong black coffee and contemplating all that needs doing.

Yeah! a nice cup of Black Coffee (my normal brew) I think I will join you in one,I have a 68 ex-military 2a 109 soft top,had it since 1986,just doing a timing chain and radiator replacement,$xxx for a new core,but I love the old girl,I was a Landrover/Leyland spare parts person in NSW during my working life,that is how I know the animal.


Orkney,is that where you are from? as my wife is a Liverpuddlian. (Scouser)


cheers

No, I am actually Hungarian. A long way from the real Orkney...

I own an Orkney Grey Puma 90, hence the Orkney 90 user-name. Having said that though, I would love to visit the real Orkney one day. I am very much over the 40 Degree and 110% humidity days of summer in Sydney...

I dream of cooler climes...

Mind you, if the rain doesn't let up there is always the One Day International Cricket on the television later... A Hungarian and Cricket, who would have ever thought? (mind you, it took me over 30 years to understand how the game worked...)