Twice my age, crosseyed and can't hold her fluids in but ain't she sweet

G'day fellow series deviates.
I really wanted to have Dirty Mary registered in time for the expo.
The rust issues are more or less taken care of, the mechanical side of things is nearly* spot on, have good tyres and rims, electrics are 95% sorted, paint cleaned up a bit, blue slip booked in for Tuesday...

*When i say nearly...

My engine is missing :o
When I bought the vehicle it was running sweetly, blew a little soot due to lack of use, and soon cleaned up. Now, its rough, noisier, develops less power than a wind up toy, vibrates waay too much, and makes me unhappy. My neighbour thinks it sounds better:no2:. I think it has overheated when I had to move it whilst the water pump/radiator etc wasn't connected. It was only running a few minutes :( I sure learnt that lesson :mad:
After due deliberation, it seems cylinders 2 and 3 aren't firing or not firing very well. I think my head is warped, just like my Landy one. Advice gladly accepted.
I'll get my Grandpa to compression test it...but not this week.


The expo doesn't seem achievable now. Not happy.

I didn't want to spend money on the engine since I have a 2.25D lined up but need the Landy to collect it.

On the plus side, I turn 25 next month so may hold off registering it till the insurance price drops because under 25s with classic cars do not exist to most insurance companies...and I can get a few other niceties out of the way before rego too, like seatbelts and a bullbar.
-Mark

Quote:

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Originally Posted by longing4alandy

I have a 2.25D lined up but need the Landy to collect it.

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Bad luck Mark - maybe next year.

You'll be happy with the diesel, all you need is someone close by with a working Land Rover to help you pick it up - Maybe Shonky knows someone ;)

Warped head? :o

I would be very surprised if the few minutes you ran it would have done that. The engine wasn't even warm! From what I gather, 2.25s tend to crack heads rather than warp them... not that this is any better. :(

Are you getting good spark at all four plugs?

A compression test would be good, but it could just as well be a blown head gasket. I hope. :(

G'day Paul, Andrew,
Thanks for your kind words Paul.

Strong spark on all four plugs. The plugs have a bit of dry soot, which according to the book means its running rich, and idling without a proper run for too long is sure to add to it. I cleaned the gaps and made sure they were all consistent (don't have feeler gauges yet)

When idling, if I pull the leads one cylinder at a time, the idle worsens dramatically on cylinders 1 and 4, while with 2 and 3 there isn't a perceptible difference.

I don't want to know about cracked heads, sounds nasty, I'm ruling that one out with compassionate reasons. If I end up getting the head planed then the workshop wold tell me that I presume?

It could well be a holy head gasket but if I think the worst then it can only get better lol
I just don't have the time to look into it this week.
Steepest learning curve i've ever been on!
-Mark

While chasing insurance I have been asked to email a photo to an insurance co so they can work out what a 1963 Land Rover series 2a is, because its not in their register. This is ridiculous. The insurance company calling themselves Australian 4WD Insurance (DGA Insurance), and they don't have old Land Rovers.
Not to mention they won't insure me till i'm 25.
Lumley Special Vehicles won't insure because I can't keep it garaged and actually wish to drive it.
Shannons won't insure under 25s.
Just Car don't recognise 1963 Land Rovers.
QBE don't do old cars.
Commbank doesn't have Land Rovers pre 72
Allianz ditto
Ecar, nothing pre 1984 Land Rover
NRMA Classic car division requires garaged storage.
NRMA comprehensive actually will cover me, woah, incredulous.

I'm starting to enjoy chasing insurance quotes, baffling the poor telephonic experts.

Not sure why you want insurance, but if it's to cover you for hitting somebody's Mercedes you can get third-party insurance for any age vehicle for around $100 per year. But you need to ask.

Sounds exactly like my insurance hunting of late. :eek:

I was told by one insure that they would insure a 1965 Land Rover 109" UTE, but NO OTHER variant. Why? It wasn't on their system you see, and if it isn't on the computer it must be modified.

:mad:

Another told me they were only a low risk insurer and wouldn't insure such a vehicle. They couldn't answer when I pointed out that Ambrose is a restored show car that gets driven once a month and cared for like a child. :confused:

NRMA were the only ones to even consider me also. They would only go up to $3,000 though. :(

Go halves with you on getting a broker?


PS - Peters Head Shed in Foundry Rd Seven Hills will fix you up. They will pressure test it first and let you know whats what.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lane

Not sure why you want insurance, but if it's to cover you for hitting somebody's Mercedes you can get third-party insurance for any age vehicle for around $100 per year. But you need to ask.

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Maybe it's different in WA, but you certainly can't do that over here. I have Third Party Property / Fire and Theft insurance on Ambrose, and that is $600 p/a. This premium is calculated on the age of the driver and the type of vehicle, much like Comprehensive.

Most insurers wont insure me at all, either because I'm too young or the truck is too old. (Mark is in the same boat)

As you would know, Compulsory Third Party insurance (green slip) only covers injury to the driver of the other car and not the car itself. That is a few hundred on its own. :(

EDITED

- I really gotta learn to read properly. :(

I had no problem getting Shannon's to insure Olute. Not too expensive.

I haven't had to make a claim yet though! ;)

I am an old fart too. (I guess that makes me a lower risk coz I'm not out doing circle work and dragging. - As you do in an old landrover!)