Thread: Series 3 Stage 1 V8 Station Wagon

Originally Posted by josh_griz

Hi,

I am looking at buying a SIII Stage 1 Station Wagon, can anyone give me any info on what to look out for e.g mechanical issues, major rust spots...

Any info is greatly appreciated.

josh ring me on 0428732001 jim

there is one on ebay now

I don’t know everything, but I wouldn’t pay too much for one! $1500 should be a price you’d pay for a complete one without rust and a sad engine/gearbox. By sad engine I mean if it hasn’t been rebuilt in the last 100000ks+, they wear cams and rocker gear nasty! An original untouched engine would be near (if not totally) rooted! I’ve seen 2 cams that were almost round out of 2 old engines and nasty worn rocker gear, and I’ve only had 2 rover V8s. Once rebuilt their excellent reliable engine. I found the it’s more the fact their 30+ years old, way past their service life. Personally, if you have a mechanical aptitude and rebuild most of the running gear/ brakes/ gearbox/ engine and fuel system, they make an excellent long distance runner (if you like to live like a pioneer!!). I drive mine for 1000+ks at a time from central NSW to north QLD and all round the place, good cars.

The one on ebay looks pretty sad.
I am in the process of buying a wagon its 2K with a blown gearbox but the body is perfect.
Some front end parts are unique to the Stage 1 making them hard to source.
Considering they are 30 years old things could be quite worn, personally I think they are the best Series quite durable structurally (except for the front mudguards) and mechanically.
Look for rusty firewalls if abused its probably a matter of time before the RHS front axle fatigues and fails the transfer box will probably need a reshim.
The absence of power steering and air conditioning makes them a bit politically incorrect in todays world.
If not rusty and the fuel supply hangs out they would pretty much last for ever with most parts being relatively easy to obtain.
My wife wont drive it but I much prefer it to the modern stuff for bush work.
The V8 in the Stage 1 was a low compression engine and will probably be tired and uneconomical I would replace it with a high compression 3.5 V8
Adequate with Stage 1 gearing and doesn't have the liner shifting issues of the larger engines.