Thread: What to look for

Mechanically there is little difference between the Series 3 and Series 2/2a, the major difference being that almost all Series 2as have a Rover rear axle rather than the salisbury and the gearbox. The major likely problem should be solved with the new chassis, but a close scrutiny of the firewall would be a good idea.

Apart from this it is pretty much a matter of condition, as with any car that is nearly fifty years old.

The Valiant engine conversion is unusual, although it is quite a satisfactory engine, and it is worth getting all the information you can on the conversion.

The 2a gearbox is generally considered to be more robust than the Series 3 gearbox, but of course has synchromesh only on top and third. And the 1964 box was not the best one.

A minor difference from Series 3 is that the wheel studs are screwed in and staked from the rear, and commonly loosen, and screw out, damaging the threads in the hub. While not a particularly expensive repair by drilling out and replacing the studs with later pull in ones, it is a bit of work.

Series 2/2a wiring is even simpler than the Series 3, is largely unfused, and is very likely to be either in a pretty bad state or badly bodged. If either of these apply, then a new harness (readily available) is pretty expensive and quite a lot of work to fit, although it is not impossible to make one yourself - a search will find a current thread on this.

You implied that you are familiar with Series 3 so I have concentrated on the differences.

John

The Valiant engine conversion is something to check out very closely.

There were no 6 cyl bonneted Land Rovers in 1963 so it will be a 4 cyl chassis. With the size of the Valiant engine either the transmission has been moved back or the front chassis member cut out possibly completely or both.

I would be checking that all the cuts, welds and reinforcements have been done professionally.

I would make sure that I had paperwork for the vehicle being registered with the correct chassis number, that exact engine and I would be asking for copies of any engineers certificates.

Diana

Hi Adam - I am happy to check it out if you want. I have been working on 2a's for years .

I have heard of a few valiant conversions. I think the series 1 SW that the leyland bros used to cross from west-east had a valiant engine??? Never seen one in the flesh though, but AFAIK they have a fair bit of power, so would probably be hard on the old IIA box. (but making adaptors for something different would be easy for you )

The engine in the Leyland brothers' Land Rover was a Rover engine. I think it was a V8. I will have to get the movie out and watch it again. That station wagon is now in the National Motor Museum, Birdwood.

One of the first Land Rovers that I looked at buying had a valiant engine fitted. It also had a Range Rover front axle housing fitted. You could see how the axle housing had been converted from coil to leaf spring suspension. I don't know which ratio was used. I stayed clear of this vehicle, as only the top half of the fan was behind the radiator. The bottom half of the fan was below the radiator.

Try and keep things original. They are more simple that way. The hand start will only work with the original engine. (Well it might work with some conversions, but the common Holden conversion and the Valiant conversion that I saw will not take a hand start.) You might be entitled to get historic registration if the vehicle is original.

A Valiant engine will provide more power. This may be to your liking, as it will be more likely to accelerate as quickly as modern traffic, and go quickly up hills. It will probably use more fuel though.

Aaron.

There was a post on REMLR some time ago (try Discoveries), in which a 2A was found with a Valiant engine. Apparently the conversion was not a success for the gearboxes it chewed through,

Cheers Charlie

I am not that worried about the engine in the wagon as I will change it in the future ( V8) I am more after the wagon.

I have a had two series 3 with holden coversions in them and they also hurt the gearbox's.

I am just trying to find out more about the difference between the series 3 and the 2a's


Thanks to all for your info


Adam

Off topic...

Originally Posted by Aaron IIA

The engine in the Leyland brothers' Land Rover was a Rover engine. I think it was a V8. I will have to get the movie out and watch it again. That station wagon is now in the National Motor Museum, Birdwood.

According to the book (where dead men lie), it was fitted with a "high powered 6 cylinder engine" Someone told me it was a valiant, but maybe it was a rover 3.0L 6 if you say it was a rover engine???


Back on topic: Adam - apart from the gearbox, headlights, firewall and windcreen frame, there are very few other major differences between SIIAs and SIIIs, and all parts are pretty much interchangeable.

The SW models have a a B/C pillar and sill that isn't galvanised (unlike the othere body shapes). it is very hard to find series SW's without rust in those sections.

The Leyland Bros. 107 Wagon had a Rover 6 cyl, (and still has) whether it was a 3 litre, or a 2.6 litre Rover 90/100/105/110 or a Land Rover unit I am not aware.

The Valiant engines are rather a lot longer than the Holden or Ford Falcon 6cyl so need more modification. Even if the radiator goes in front of the 1st cross member the 1st cross member still usually needs a little cut out.

Valiant (Dodge) 6cyl varieties range in capacity from 215 CID to 265 CID so put a lot of strain on the LR gearbox.

Diana