Defender 6x6 V8...need help!

[vasimone]

Hello All,

I have always been inspired by the adventures of a Defender and I am very close to become myself an owner of special one (hopefully).

I found a 1995 69,000km 130 Defender modified by carmichaels for the fireservice into a 6x6 - a massive exciting beast which would take me anywhere - the only issue is that it has been 'stuck' for 8 years since the owner after one service didn't put enough oil and used the vehicle until he broke the bearing...since then this mighty beast has been laying in the fireservice yard (with the wheels lifted to prevent them getting oval).

I am in discussion with the owner to buy it but i would like from you some precious advice as i am not a mechanical expert (yet :-p):

1-how big of an issue is that the bearing broke? how easily can this be fixed?
2-are there any other consequences in the engine and/or other parts of the car because of the broken bearing?
3-after having been 8 years idle, what are the other parts (e.g. suspensions) that will need to be changed (besides the end-to-end check/lubrification)?
4- one carburator has been blocked to avoid this beast to consume too much petrol - if i have it reopened now, would there be any consequences because in the past it ran with only one carburator?
5-how do i understand if the 3rd axle is lazy or active?
6-how do i understand what is the engine that it runs (e.g. ford, ....)


Based on your feedback i will know on how much to settle for the price, or whether i need to abandon this dream...

Looking forward to becoming a Defender-owner and active participant of AULRO

cheers,

Simone

[loanrangie]

Which bearing is it since bearings dont just break, they would seize or wear out , how do you know its a V8 ?
If it is a V8 then its likely to be a Rover 3.5 or 3.9 ,
though a previous owner could have fitted anything to it.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using AULRO mobile app

[vasimone]

Well, i have been told that since there wasn't sufficient oil, the bearing of the engine broke - in fact i can see the bottom of the engine been removed and is now kept in the garage..

I assume it's a V8 having 2 carburators and the V8 sticker on the side of it, just in front of the door (you can see it partially in the picture) - is there a way I can check on the engine the size and the manufacturer of it?

thanks a lot!

Looking forward to bringing the beast back to life!!

[Mick_Marsh]

Sometimes, rarely, they do break. This may be seen by a hole or deformation in the side of the block.
Whatever the issue is, a replacement engine may be your choice.
What is the second hand parts market for Landrovers like where you are?

One of my Landrovers sat for eight years awaiting motor rebuild without much issue. Mind you, it would be worth having a good look over the vehicle to see if there are any other issues. What is the chassis like? Any rust?

[loanrangie]

If it has 2 carbs then probably a 3.5 circa pre 1986 , defenders in that era never had a V8 so it retro fitted.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using AULRO mobile app

[Ancient Mariner]

If the block is aluminium it could be either Buick Olds or Rover but with twin carbs 99% a rover .If the diffs are connected with tail shafts they are live if the add on has none its a lazy and I would walk away

AM

[DazzaTD5]

1-how big of an issue is that the bearing broke? how easily can this be fixed?
2-are there any other consequences in the engine and/or other parts of the car because of the broken bearing?
3-after having been 8 years idle, what are the other parts (e.g. suspensions) that will need to be changed (besides the end-to-end check/lubrification)?
4- one carburator has been blocked to avoid this beast to consume too much petrol - if i have it reopened now, would there be any consequences because in the past it ran with only one carburator?
5-how do i understand if the 3rd axle is lazy or active?
6-how do i understand what is the engine that it runs (e.g. ford, ....)

Simone

1 - As mentioned, they dont break par say, but seize, likely may have damaged the crank (a rover V8 shouldnt be an issue to source over there, assuming it is)
2 - If the engine seized then prolly nothing else, but sitting there for so long expect to have to do a lot of stuff etc etc to bring it upto spec.
3 - brakes, wheel bearings, suspension is prolly worn out before it stopped, change all the fluid, radiator maybe shot.
4 - seals might be dry and the carb may well need an overhaul, but as its been sitting for so long both will need a overhaul most likely.
5 - look under the back set of wheels, if its got a single tube or bar joining the two wheels its a lazy (trailing) axle, as in there will only be a front diff and one rear diff. if the beast has three diff then its a true 6x6!! (just prolly not as good as the Aussie one though
6 - take a picture of the engine and post it here, you will then know very quickly what engine it is.

Hate to put a downer on ur "dream" truckster, just be prepared to get handy with a spanner, and ....have fun?

Regards
Daz

[Blknight.aus]

Depending on price.. and i mean not much more than double scrap value be prepared to walk away.

Feel free to pm me if you like.

Save your dollars and look towards an ex mil 6*6

[Mick_Marsh]

Save your dollars and look towards an ex mil 6*6

Can we export them to Ghana?

[Dopey]

I always had the idea that most of the Carmichael conversions were a lazy axle at the rear, I remember looking at a few of their six wheel Range Rover fire tender conversions in the UK and all of them that I remember were only 4X4 with a lazy axle, I think that it applied to most of the Defender and Discovery conversions too.

Anyways, maybe contact Carmichael with the vehicle particulars (VIN number) and they might have the original build details on file.

Rescue & Command Vehicles | Fire Fighting & Airport Vehicles | Industrial Refinery Vehicles

Regards,
Mike.