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Thread: My new project (Ex South African late IIA 109 Station Wagon)

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    Talking My new project (Ex South African late IIA 109 Station Wagon)

    You may have seen my initial thread about this in the Introductions Section.

    I've procrastinated about making this post for long enough, so here we go. I apologise for all the words but there are some pretty pictures at the end.

    A few months ago I this interesting looking IIA languishing at a friend's place in Country NSW and decided the old girl was too good to leave there.

    As part of a deal I acquired the old Rover in question (I built him a new shed to house his off-grid solar system and I too the 109 as part payment for materials).

    I've since spent a weekend with him pulling decades of accumulated random rubbish out of it (his dad - the previous owner was a crazy hoarder) and I'm surprised by the overall condition.

    The chassis is solid (I couldn't find any soft spots in the usual locations) and the body is remarkably straight given the age and the use I know it got as a bush rally photographer's vehicle.

    The history I have been able to ascertain from the VIN No. and family stories so far is this:

    Originally assembled in the UK for the domestic market and at some point made its way to South Africa (may have been delivered new or made its way over later).
    At some point it acquired a Fairey Overdrive, Dualmatic Freewheel Hubs, a bull bar and brush bars welded to the reinforced front outriggers and interestingly water tanks in the front wings. Supposedly one of these has a heater hose line running through it to heat the water.

    In the 80's it was shipped to Darwin where my friend's father bought it and gave it to his 17 year old son to drive home to Canberra.
    He recalls the drive fondly, cruising at around 50mph and spending more time on the dirt beside the highway than on the blacktop due to the bar tread tyres' tendency to wander and the ride being more comfortable on the softer stuff.

    Originally fitted with the 2.6L Six from factory, sometime (we believe in the 90's) it acquired a Holden 186 Red Motor and the original engine's whereabouts are unknown although we do have the engine number.

    During it's time here, the old girl also acquired a pair of reasonably made swing down roof storage boxes and a matching radio console which still hold the 80's vintage AM/FM Radio and CB (both of which still work).


    So we cleaned all the rubbish out and threw in a fresh battery just on the off chance it would start (he estimated it hadn't moved under its own power for around 15 years).

    With a little fresh fuel poured down the throat of the carbie it fired almost first try, causing a cloud of bright orange smoke (we decided was rust out the exhaust) to blow past the pair of us. It was quite surreal.
    A split hose leaked fuel that smelt like turpentine so we used the electric fuel pump to drain around 20 litres of nasty brown fuel out of the tank, replace the line and fitted a new filter
    Once we got fresh fuel through the system it ran well and once warm idled happily. We were both amazed it was so easy!


    Now for the bad stuff:

    Both the brake and clutch master cylinders have failed, giving no resistance on either pedal. I'm going to replace both masters and all slave cylinders and probably throw in fresh flexible lines while I'm at it.
    I've got a vacuum bleeder so I should be able to do the twin slaves in the front brakes without removing the hubs (hopefully).

    The cooling system doesn't work properly as it's not circulating so I'm suspecting water pump on the Holden motor and probably at least a partially blocked radiator.
    My plan is to replace the pump, fit a new radiator (possibly a high efficiency alloy unit), thermostat and hoses and give the block a thorough flush.
    While I'm at it I will probably fit new thermo fans to keep the old girl cool.


    At this stage I think apart from a few seals and a good service and maybe a fresh set of rubber that's all i should hopefully need to be able to get the old girl on the road.

    Here are the photos I promised. Let me know what you guys think.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2
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    What a great find you’ve got. Looks to be in really good condition,, highly jealous of course

    When and if you get a chance, a full description of how the swing down draws work would be awesome thanks.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by slider View Post
    You may have seen my initial thread about this in the Introductions Section.

    I've procrastinated about making this post for long enough, so here we go. I apologise for all the words but there are some pretty pictures at the end.

    A few months ago I this interesting looking IIA languishing at a friend's place in Country NSW and decided the old girl was too good to leave there.

    As part of a deal I acquired the old Rover in question (I built him a new shed to house his off-grid solar system and I too the 109 as part payment for materials).

    I've since spent a weekend with him pulling decades of accumulated random rubbish out of it (his dad - the previous owner was a crazy hoarder) and I'm surprised by the overall condition.

    The chassis is solid (I couldn't find any soft spots in the usual locations) and the body is remarkably straight given the age and the use I know it got as a bush rally photographer's vehicle.

    The history I have been able to ascertain from the VIN No. and family stories so far is this:

    Originally assembled in the UK for the domestic market and at some point made its way to South Africa (may have been delivered new or made its way over later).
    At some point it acquired a Fairey Overdrive, Dualmatic Freewheel Hubs, a bull bar and brush bars welded to the reinforced front outriggers and interestingly water tanks in the front wings. Supposedly one of these has a heater hose line running through it to heat the water.

    In the 80's it was shipped to Darwin where my friend's father bought it and gave it to his 17 year old son to drive home to Canberra.
    He recalls the drive fondly, cruising at around 50mph and spending more time on the dirt beside the highway than on the blacktop due to the bar tread tyres' tendency to wander and the ride being more comfortable on the softer stuff.

    Originally fitted with the 2.6L Six from factory, sometime (we believe in the 90's) it acquired a Holden 186 Red Motor and the original engine's whereabouts are unknown although we do have the engine number.

    During it's time here, the old girl also acquired a pair of reasonably made swing down roof storage boxes and a matching radio console which still hold the 80's vintage AM/FM Radio and CB (both of which still work).


    So we cleaned all the rubbish out and threw in a fresh battery just on the off chance it would start (he estimated it hadn't moved under its own power for around 15 years).

    With a little fresh fuel poured down the throat of the carbie it fired almost first try, causing a cloud of bright orange smoke (we decided was rust out the exhaust) to blow past the pair of us. It was quite surreal.
    A split hose leaked fuel that smelt like turpentine so we used the electric fuel pump to drain around 20 litres of nasty brown fuel out of the tank, replace the line and fitted a new filter
    Once we got fresh fuel through the system it ran well and once warm idled happily. We were both amazed it was so easy!


    Now for the bad stuff:

    Both the brake and clutch master cylinders have failed, giving no resistance on either pedal. I'm going to replace both masters and all slave cylinders and probably throw in fresh flexible lines while I'm at it.
    I've got a vacuum bleeder so I should be able to do the twin slaves in the front brakes without removing the hubs (hopefully).

    The cooling system doesn't work properly as it's not circulating so I'm suspecting water pump on the Holden motor and probably at least a partially blocked radiator.
    My plan is to replace the pump, fit a new radiator (possibly a high efficiency alloy unit), thermostat and hoses and give the block a thorough flush.
    While I'm at it I will probably fit new thermo fans to keep the old girl cool.


    At this stage I think apart from a few seals and a good service and maybe a fresh set of rubber that's all i should hopefully need to be able to get the old girl on the road.

    Here are the photos I promised. Let me know what you guys think.
    Wide light 2a, my favourite... I have one too, not biased My new project (Ex South African late IIA 109 Station Wagon)

  4. #4
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    What a find! UK production and African heritage! It doesn't get any better than that!

    As for the brakes and cooling, before you replace too many things, strip the lot and clean and check and (where appropriate) adjust, and you may be pleasantly surprised. That said, after so long not running, I would personally be inclined to go through the brakes from start to finish and check/replace everything......

    Cheers,

    John

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Johnno1969 View Post
    That said, after so long not running, I would personally be inclined to go through the brakes from start to finish and check/replace everything......

    Cheers,

    John
    That's my thinking too.
    The parts are cheap enough (apart from the radiator anyway)

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by slider View Post
    That's my thinking too.
    The parts are cheap enough (apart from the radiator anyway)
    Yep, zackly...and you never know what a jolly good cleaning out of a radiator might achieve.

  7. #7
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    Very nice pick-up and a good story to go with it.
    Consider replacing all the welsh plugs too. Might save you some drama, inconvenience, and dollars, later on down the track.
    An early 186 from a HR, so possibly a steel cranked engine. They are a real good old simple and uncomplicated banger.
    If it hasn't already got one, and I cannot tell from the pictures, fit a Bosch HEI Distributor from a later model straight six,
    as they are well worth it.
    In photos 9 and 10, what is the purpose of the bracket attached to the bottom rear right hand corner of the body?
    I will be following your thread with interest.

    Cheers, Mick.
    1974 S3 88 Holden 186.
    1971 S2A 88
    1971 S2A 109 6 cyl. tray back.
    1964 S2A 88 "Starfire Four" engine!
    1972 S3 88 x 2
    1959 S2 88 ARN 111-014
    1959 S2 88 ARN 111-556
    1988 Perentie 110 FFR ARN 48-728 steering now KLR PAS!
    REMLR 88
    1969 BSA Bantam B175

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by mick88 View Post
    In photos 9 and 10, what is the purpose of the bracket attached to the bottom rear right hand corner of the body?
    Yeah, there seems to be one on the bottom left, too.... but it's hard to see. It looks like I tie-down point. I wonder if it has anything to do with the structure atop the rear of the tropical roof. Maybe they were part of an awning attachment in a previous life..?

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Johnno1969 View Post
    Yeah, there seems to be one on the bottom left, too.... but it's hard to see. It looks like I tie-down point. I wonder if it has anything to do with the structure atop the rear of the tropical roof. Maybe they were part of an awning attachment in a previous life..?
    It definitely did have an awning on the passenger side as there are the remains of multiple plastic clips for it.
    Not sure if the points you're talking about have anything to do with it though as they look too solid compared to everything else.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by mick88 View Post
    Very nice pick-up and a good story to go with it.
    Consider replacing all the welsh plugs too. Might save you some drama, inconvenience, and dollars, later on down the track.
    An early 186 from a HR, so possibly a steel cranked engine. They are a real good old simple and uncomplicated banger.
    If it hasn't already got one, and I cannot tell from the pictures, fit a Bosch HEI Distributor from a later model straight six,
    as they are well worth it.
    I'll bear that all in mind.
    It runs quite well surprisingly once it got fresh fuel and I cleaned the plugs. It's already got a new distributor cap, points, rotor button and leads so the spark's pretty healthy. I might throw on a new coil though as the current one has some age to it.

    I'm not yet sure whether I going to keep the 186 as my partner and I have another project we're working on which we've just pulled a prefectly good 253 V8 out of which I'm contemplating dropping into the 109.

    Jusy need to work out how easy the conversion is going to be. I know I'll need ta new adaptor plate for the bell housing but other than that and probably engine mounts I have no idea yet. If it's going to require too much fabrication or modification of the 109 I'll just stick with the 186 or possibly drop in a 202 instead as that should just be a direct replacement (I think).

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