Thread: '65 IIa 109 Resto

Hi all,
After some deliberation on which direction of restoration I wanted to take - I've decided on an original (as best as I can) resto. Im due to move interstate within the next 6 - 12 months so Im trying to clean/restore parts up that don't require too much dismantling, as I don't want a garage full of parts and panels when it comes time to move. Ive been doing a bit for a month or so now and thought it best to start documenting the journey, as many before me have done!

Initially, the petrol 2.25 was siezed, and I spent a week tipping concocions down the spark plug holes to hopefully penetrate the rings/ cylinders - Zero luck..even tried jacking one of the rear wheels, gearbox into 4th and turning the wheel (very forcefully). Ended up pulling the head off, used a piece of wood directly on the pistons and tapped them till they were just moving, then back to the rear wheel - bingo. Cleaned up the head and valve gear and refitted the head (the gasket was not great but ok). Set the timing,made a coil hot wire (I don't have ignition keys), tip some fuel down carby and give it a crank. It kind of started....then stopped. Stripped the carby down and cleaned it - was filthy. Put it back together and refit it - Hooray! It runs!

Went and bought a battery for it (as I had been stealing the one out of my Freelander) and got sweet talked into a charger as well. Must say though, Forbes Batteries were really good - had a shelf full of 2nd hand (used for 1 day) batteries and got one for $80. The charger cost more!

Next is the brakes and clutch - she has neither. All the hardware is there but the master cylinders haven't had fluid in them for 8yrs and the lines have been cut. Pulled them all apart and cleaned them up. Got some new lines made up and seal kits for the cylinders too. Just have to put them all back together and refit everything......maybe this arvo.....

Just want to say a big thanks to those that have documented so much info on here - has made things so much quicker. I do intend to do a full strip down and rebuild as the chassis has some small bits of rust ( the rear xmember is barely holding on) - but that will be at the next residence - which will hopefully be a permanent one!

Cheers,
Kieron

I've given up using spanners to undo bolts on mine.....I now just use the grinder. The local bolt shop know me very well now.