Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 16

Thread: New (to me) Ute. Couldn't be happier.

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Huntley, NSW
    Posts
    382
    Total Downloaded
    0

    New (to me) Ute. Couldn't be happier.

    I must say that I am happy with my recent purchase of this 109 ute. It was recently listed on eBay and there was no apparent interest so I made a last minute bid and secured it.

    I wonder if SD (the vendor) is on this forum. If so, thank you again for all your help, advice, and just for being a nice fellow. I commiserate any loss you made on this sale. I have lost money on Land Rovers before also. However, in that respect, what goes around comes around.

    The ute is an October 1981 built 2.3 Diesel. I've yet to determine whether it has a 5 or 3 main bearing engine or if the 2.3 badge is misleading as has been pointed out to me recently. The engine is quite tired although runs beautifully when warm. The gearbox is ok apart from jumping out of 2nd gear on the overrun. It also has a Fairy overdrive which is nice bonus. The brakes are all new (master cylinder and all) although still need a final bleed. I'm also replacing the alternator and associated wiring due to a suspected failure. I'll give it a full service once the parts all turn up.

    I've not driven the diesel variant before and am quite impressed with the simplicity of the diesel compared to the petrol motor. I'd be willing to say that I'm now a Series Diesel convert. There is a learning curve ahead of me there though.

    I am using the ute at home on light duties just doing odd fencing jobs and it will be our main hay cart during the winter. (Just sup feeding the steers over the cold months).It will remain in those roles over the next 2-3 years before having a full rebuild as it is a worthy example.

    Hayley and the dog (Ted) are happy with it too which is, of course, very much the main thing.

    20220302_133134 (2).jpg20220302_133156 (2).jpg20220301_173628.jpg20220307_172138.jpg20220311_124746.jpg20220302_134500.jpg

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Queensland (though occasionally elsewhere)
    Posts
    1,424
    Total Downloaded
    0
    At a guess, it appears that your dog is part cattle dog, part Brown Hyaena.

  3. #3
    JDNSW's Avatar
    JDNSW is offline RoverLord Silver Subscriber
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Central West NSW
    Posts
    28,804
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Certainly looks OK. I have long been a fan of the diesel since I owned one in the mid sixties. There are external clues as to whether it is five bearing, but I can't think of what they are. One clue though is that it uses metric threads - I think, everywhere - so checking an easily accessible nut, such as a tappet cover nut would be a clue. If it is metric, it is five bearing; if it isn't, either it is three bearing or I am wrong!

    One caution I would make, is when you come to overhauling the engine, the person regrinding the crankshaft needs to be aware that it is essential that there is a radius as specified at the end of each journal. Failure to do this is to invite crankshaft failure. Applies to both engines.

    One of the features of this engine is that it pulls quite well, right down to a stall - but please don't; this is asking for a broken crankshaft and is not doing the gearbox any favours either.
    John

    JDNSW
    1986 110 County 3.9 diesel
    1970 2a 109 2.25 petrol

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Brisbane, Queensland
    Posts
    5,779
    Total Downloaded
    0
    That’s a cracker of a find, congrats.
    L322 tdv8 poverty pack - wow
    Perentie 110 wagon ARN 49-107 (probably selling) turbo, p/steer, RFSV front axle/trutrack, HF, gullwing windows, double jerrys etc.
    Perentie 110 wagon ARN 48-699 another project
    Track Trailer ARN 200-117
    REMLR # 137

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Huntley, NSW
    Posts
    382
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by Johnno1969 View Post
    At a guess, it appears that your dog is part cattle dog, part Brown Hyaena.
    Yes Johnno. That's Ted. He's mostly Cattle Dog with a smidgen of something else in there somewhere. At 18 months old he still hasn't quite grown into those ears yet!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Huntley, NSW
    Posts
    382
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by JDNSW View Post
    Certainly looks OK. I have long been a fan of the diesel since I owned one in the mid sixties. There are external clues as to whether it is five bearing, but I can't think of what they are. One clue though is that it uses metric threads - I think, everywhere - so checking an easily accessible nut, such as a tappet cover nut would be a clue. If it is metric, it is five bearing; if it isn't, either it is three bearing or I am wrong!

    One caution I would make, is when you come to overhauling the engine, the person regrinding the crankshaft needs to be aware that it is essential that there is a radius as specified at the end of each journal. Failure to do this is to invite crankshaft failure. Applies to both engines.

    One of the features of this engine is that it pulls quite well, right down to a stall - but please don't; this is asking for a broken crankshaft and is not doing the gearbox any favours either.

    Thanks for the tips John. Your advice is always much appreciated.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Huntley, NSW
    Posts
    382
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by rar110 View Post
    That’s a cracker of a find, congrats.

    Thanks rar. I'm a bit wrapped with it.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Irymple, Victoria, Australia
    Posts
    2,900
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Looks to be a nice straight original vehicle.
    You will get plenty of enjoyment out of it.

    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

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Queensland (though occasionally elsewhere)
    Posts
    1,424
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by HUE166 View Post
    Yes Johnno. That's Ted. He's mostly Cattle Dog with a smidgen of something else in there somewhere. At 18 months old he still hasn't quite grown into those ears yet!
    He certainly is one impressive animal! If ever the rest of him catches up with his ears, he will be quite formidable.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Queensland (though occasionally elsewhere)
    Posts
    1,424
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by JDNSW View Post
    Certainly looks OK. I have long been a fan of the diesel since I owned one in the mid sixties. There are external clues as to whether it is five bearing, but I can't think of what they are. One clue though is that it uses metric threads - I think, everywhere - so checking an easily accessible nut, such as a tappet cover nut would be a clue. If it is metric, it is five bearing; if it isn't, either it is three bearing or I am wrong!

    One caution I would make, is when you come to overhauling the engine, the person regrinding the crankshaft needs to be aware that it is essential that there is a radius as specified at the end of each journal. Failure to do this is to invite crankshaft failure. Applies to both engines.

    One of the features of this engine is that it pulls quite well, right down to a stall - but please don't; this is asking for a broken crankshaft and is not doing the gearbox any favours either.

    Ditto to John's comments. They are a great little motor. I've had one in my IIA for the last twenty years or so and it is economical (around 30mpg) and fuss-free. They lug along quite happily if they are used the way they were designed to be used.

    I know that engine colour is not necessarily a definitive diagnosis, but, from memory, I think they painted the 5-bearing engines a reddish-orange in the factory instead of the earlier duck-egg blue.

    The crankshaft grinding point is crucial. A lot of technical literature will tell you straight-out not to regrind the cranks on these motors. But, as John says, it can and has been done if people do the radiuses of the crankshaft journals as specified. The crank on my motor had been ground 10 thou by a previous owner, but luckily it was done properly.

    I look forward to seeing more of your Landy. It looks like a terrific find.

    Cheers,

    Johnno

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Search AULRO.com ONLY!
Search All the Web!