Thread: Early 1958 Series 2

hi bill no 331 off the line 1958 regards jim

The interesting point about early Series 2 88s is that for most of 1958 they used up stocks of the Series 1 2l engine (assuming petrol engine) instead of the new 2.25l engine used for the next twenty-five years in Series 2,2a,3 and very early 110.

Most of these early 88s had the engine replaced with the later one, as these provide superior performance and are far more common. The result is that early examples with the original engine (even the original type, if not the exact motor) are now quite rare.

Your other questions, for example, the bulkhead repair, will depend on the state of the existing one. Swapping the differential is easier than overhauling the existing one, just make sure that the ratio is the same on front and rear diffs! The differentials are interchangeable pretty much from 1932-2016 - but ratios varied. Yours would have originally been 4.7:1, but Series Landrovers are sometimes fitted with 3.54 ratio diffs off coil sprung Landrovers/Rangerovers, for better highway performance. And you really do not want to use four wheel drive with different ratios front and rear.

Most parts are interchangeable from your model up to the end of Series 3 production, at least as units. One part that needs watching though is that the tie rod ends (TRE) changed in early Series 3 production. Earlier ones had the tube clamping on an unthreaded section, later ones clamped on the thread, with the thread extending the full length of the shank on the TRE. The two must not be mixed, as the clamping is unreliable. I know of at least one fatal accident as a result. The complete tie rod with ends is interchangeable.

Hope this helps.

John

Welcome to the forum Bill!

S2's in good order are quite rare, so it is probably worthwhile inspecting your car closely to see how much of it is original and how much has been replaced.

The engine, gearbox and axle numbers can sometimes be traced to the year of manufacture, which helps decide on the vehicle's worth and originality.

Have a look too at World prices for 1958 S2's and make your decision from that.

Chassis (frame) and bulkhead are not particularly difficult to repair well and if your original chassis no. is still visible, it is worth keeping it to maintain the integrity of the car. By this I mean the easy option of replacing major components from later cars and then claiming it as a 1958 car, starts to smell fishy.

Good luck with the restoration, there is lots of help here; post some photos and people will be able help,

Cheers Charlie

One of the distinctive features of a S2 is the "round" knobs instead of levers ,to operate the two vents. That's definitely a feature I would keep when replacing or repairing the bulkhead.
.W

Originally Posted by B.S.F.

One of the distinctive features of a S2 is the "round" knobs instead of levers ,to operate the two vents. That's definitely a feature I would keep when replacing or repairing the bulkhead.
.W

I agree, but I should point out:-

1. The lever type are more useful (e.g. hastily closing the vents when a car comes the other way on a dusty road)

2. They are a bolt on, easily changed item, so I would not stress too much about it.

3. They are not exclusive to S2 - they were also fitted to early S2a.

John

Thanks for the great information. I am not understanding the comment from RussellRover though. All you have been very helpful and greatly appreciated.
Here are some pics.

Serial number = 331st vehicle to be built in that run.
Cheers,
D

That looks like the original engine, certainly the original type. Apart from the rust looks to be generally a good start for restoration, and well worth the effort for what now quite a rare vehicle.

John