December now ... cold & frosty :snowman
Put some frost covers over the windscreens. Flat glass is convenient!
The condensation drops inside the rear door window were already frozen :cold
Put the two 6 volt :big-battery on charge for the night.
The ancient diesel needs to stagger into life early tomorrow, however cold it gets overnight.
If it doesn't I am going to be late.
It is bitterly cold here in the East, so watch this space! :cold
Do you throw a blanket or carpet over the bonnet - even if it's in a barn.
Every little helps.
:snowman
I should have thought of that Alan.
I'm not going out in the cold now though!
Sorted out the sticking 'orrible plastic brake light switch on my Series 3. A good dose of switch cleaner worked.
Had a run out to my Mum's at Lytham this morning. Engine temperature didn't even reach the N. Met office app said it felt like minus five out. Time to put the radiator cover on.
Went to the hangar to get a couple of parts undercoated to further progress on swapping to new chassis only to find the paint was all but frozen :shakinghead
And the battery went flat on my run-around Ford KA :ranting
Should have stayed in the armchair today :coffee
Moved the vehicles round so that the series is accessible and I fitted the fume curtain to help keep the cab cool
Peter
Quote from: Peter Holden on Dec 02, 2023, 05:39 PMI fitted the fume curtain to help keep the cab cool
Peter
In this weather?
My mistake Alan, should be warm, it shows that you do read the posts
Peter
Evidently it's decidedly tropical in Lancashire this weekend. Unlike elsewhere...
Well we dont have any snow yet
Peter
Finished off this return piece for the new footwell as it had rusted away along with the old one.
It was a day for the club hat.
Quote from: Exile on Dec 01, 2023, 05:42 PMPut the two 6 volt :big-battery on charge for the night.
The ancient diesel needs to stagger into life early tomorrow, however cold it gets overnight.
If it doesn't I am going to be late.
It is bitterly cold here in the East, so watch this space! :cold
So, to follow this ^ up, the old diesel did stagger into life, despite it being extremely cold at 8am yesterday - and so what is wrong with the old pigtail glowplugs, wired in series then? ;)
It got me where I needed to go - and back.
A photo (and a nice bit of diesel smoke as a bonus) from a previous very cold morning:
Brake lights checked using Land Rover special tool number 3, a length of wood to push the brake pedal down then wedged against the seat box. All ok.
I finished a little corner repair to my seatbase driver's side and started cutting replacement panels for the passenger side underseat box. I'll replace the regular pop rivets with flush ones too.
I have done several things, but I have been away from this dear Forum...
I have been learning the art of assembling and adjusting a differential and installing an ARB lock, for my brother's 1964 88,
I have had to buy several tools, but it has been entertaining and I have learned a lot.
Today I was installing the vent rubbers. , they fit very tight, we will see if in a few more days they adapt to the hatch and I hope they close more smoothly.
Taking advantage of the pleasant temperatures arriving in this corner of the world,
I was also adjusting the tub of my IIA,
I made some aluminum spacers to move the tub a few mm backwards.
It was a pleasant weekend... :salud Amigo
Radiator cover on and also put petroleum jelly on all the door seals and locks.
Drove it to the picket line. Stood next to it for a few hours. Drove home again.
Made good inroads into another gearbox today. Nearly finished - just have to wait for a new mainshaft oil seal as the one fitted wasn't up to scratch.
Rebuilt a Zenith carb and then looked at my own car - I'll get to it one day... :thud
Painted wing mirrors as suffered in never ending wind and rain until roof off and now in mancave ..
Quote from: diffwhine on Dec 06, 2023, 05:38 PMMade good inroads into another gearbox today. Nearly finished - just have to wait for a new mainshaft oil seal as the one fitted wasn't up to scratch.
Rebuilt a Zenith carb and then looked at my own car - I'll get to it one day... :thud
Hello Diffwhine
Hehehe... I can relate to your words, the same thing happens to me, I work more on my brother's LR than on mine... It happens to many... Even if it's just a little, we also have to work on ours. ??? Greetings
And speaking of working in our LRs,
taking advantage of the fact that good weather and high temperatures arrive in this corner of the world, and that the sun sets at 8:50 p.m., that gives time to work after arriving from work, with a pleasant temperature ...
Today I was placing the aluminum angle that I made for the back of the bathtub, it is looking very good...an excellent way to end the day..
Iin my brother's LR..install vent seals.
They are quite tight, and also notice, when removing the hatches, as someone on the forum said,
notice that they have a small curve, which makes the ends tighter.
Use Sika 221 glue
Not today, but last Saturday. Participated in our community Christmas parade. Santa was supposed to arrive in Grover, but due to a heavy drizzle that moved in he was delivered to the community center via police car, no one wants to deal with a wet Santa. Santa has made it known he wants to arrive in Grover next year.
Quote from: Larry S on Dec 08, 2023, 01:54 AMNot today, but last Saturday. Participated in our community Christmas parade. Santa was supposed to arrive in Grover, but due to a heavy drizzle that moved in he was delivered to the community center via police car, no one wants to deal with a wet Santa. Santa has made it known he wants to arrive in Grover next year.
Larry that looks bloody brilliant!
Sadly put my 109 in the garage until next year.
Had a hand surgery yesterday which has put paid to any work on the S2a and definitely not able to drive it until my hand is healed.
I actually found a rattle that has been annoying me for weeks. It was the switch on the lever single wiper motor.
Quote from: Mike T on Dec 08, 2023, 09:42 AMI actually found a rattle that has been annoying me for weeks. It was the switch on the lever single wiper motor.
I had to repair one like this, take off the cover and with a small hammer rivet the switch shaft again, just enough to make it tight again.
I continue to make progress on the tub of my 88, today I did the first tests with Countersunk Head Solid Rivets, I had not used them, I was pleasantly surprised by how well they look, this will help me a lot with the repairs.
Quote from: Space-Kook on Dec 08, 2023, 02:47 AMQuote from: Larry S on Dec 08, 2023, 01:54 AMNot today, but last Saturday. Participated in our community Christmas parade. Santa was supposed to arrive in Grover, but due to a heavy drizzle that moved in he was delivered to the community center via police car, no one wants to deal with a wet Santa. Santa has made it known he wants to arrive in Grover next year.
Larry that looks bloody brilliant!
Thank you - appreciate it!
I got the n/s seatbox end made and fitted with countersunk rivets and Tiger Seal. The flush rivets are a big improvement over the regular dome headed I previously used. I called time at 7pm when the gale and rain outside abated as I have a mile and a half to cycle to the bus stop. :cool
Just used it as a storage facilty, I have bought an engine crane from forum member Rob Stanyer. Collected it in our car yesterday but need the car this morning in car mode so the crane is in the back of the land rover temporarily.
Peter
Quote from: Peter Holden on Dec 10, 2023, 09:10 AMJust used it as a storage facilty, I have bought an engine crane from forum member Rob Stanyer. Collected it in our car yesterday but need the car this morning in car mode so the crane is in the back of the land rover temporarily.
Peter
I found my 109 very useful undercover space for my shed building timber, Pete :cheers
land rovers always end up as a form of shed for a while.
they have a different life every year :RHD
Mine is currently the resting place for a whole pile of new and old Series 2 Club banners, flags and other bits and bobs!
Made a start to fitting the new footwell.
Fitted a new flywheel and clutch.
Finally.
Removed and inspected the air intake hose that runs from the oil bath air filter to the carb. I'm told these can degrade on the inside leading to a loss of air getting to the carb
I'm happy to report that my 25 year old hose is in good condition
Got the diesel burning cab heater working again. I fitted Qualcast lawnmower fuel tank under the bonnet to hold the diesel (petrol engine in mine)
Had to make a fuel feed pipe out of brake line, and clipped it underneath.
Heater is in a metal box in rear tub, ducted to cab and rear area. It works really well. (toasty dog is a happy dog!)
Quote from: Gareth on Dec 14, 2023, 05:05 PMGot the diesel burning cab heater working again. I fitted Qualcast lawnmower fuel tank under the bonnet to hold the diesel (petrol engine in mine)
Had to make a fuel feed pipe out of brake line, and clipped it underneath.
Heater is in a metal box in rear tub, ducted to cab and rear area. It works really well. (toasty dog is a happy dog!)
Nice. One of the things I love about LR ownership is personal customisation
Spent the morning with the trailer as the woks van shifting stuff for my son and the afternoon rebuilding the drivers side door lock that decided to fall apart whilst I was out
Peter
I made further progress on my passenger underseat box today, increased its usable dimensions and put a 2mm floor in with an old tophat from the rear body as a stiffener. I've usefully remembered I've one off those large Kwik-cramps for holding the box together lengthwise when I drill the next rivet holes. I was struggling with only two hands yesterday. (And I've just noticed the unbent tabs on the gearbox mount)
Went on a charity Landrover road run today(in series 1 unfortunately) and spotted lovely 1958 series 2 no.37.
Wow, what a wonderful vehicle, very original, 2 owners from new both in the New Forest. 2l petrol, series one axles etc.
I like that I do!
Series One axles? Tell us more.
The photos show fully floating axles
Peter
I've not been able to do much with the series 2 other than think about it while feeding our 2 week old son (obviously future land rover owner)
Yesterday my parents, first time grandparents, visited and our son (and me of course 😅) were gifted this wooden land rover toy, handmade by my dad.
You can't start them young enough :gold-cup
:tiphat
Davy,,
What a toy, Davy! Credit to your old man. I'd have been delighted to have had such a toy when I was a kid. :RHD
Quote from: Peter Holden on Dec 18, 2023, 11:02 AMThe photos show fully floating axles
Peter
They began fitting fully floating axles near the end of Series One production.
That's a nice looking vehicle. :cheers
Charles, there are also photos of S2 prototypes with semi floating rear axles
I am sure that either Rob Maude or Paul Bohan will be along with more definite information
Peter
No37 was the first 2L I'd have ever seen when I was a kid at a LR show at Stoneleigh. I remember it being very original back then.
It won't have series 1 axles, they will be S2, but what it probably refers to is S1 carryover of the Hubs etc, only the axle case and halfshafts were originally modified (widen by a few inches) at first, then about 59/60 the brake back plates changed, then in late 60, early 61 the drop arms were changed to the familiar bottom mounting position.
As said, some of the early 88 S2 prototypes used the semi floating S1 units. Production versions were ready for start of production in March 58.
Thank for the explanation Paul. YOD still has its original axles and until recently its original drive members and I knew the brake backplates were the same as the S1. Our November 59 still has drive members with the Allen key plugs in for topping up with oil.
Peter
So should series one drive members have the filler plug?
I was cleaning my 1955 drive members last night and they are the scalloped versions rather than the later round ones but there are no filler plugs in them.
One of them barely has any splines in it either....
Craig.
Just had a look at the S1 (54 to 58) and S2 parts books. The S2 book shows the filler plug but the S1 doesnt, however they have the same part number.
Alice in wonderland time I think
Peter
I recall a comment in one of James Taylor's books saying that they were deleted, reintroduced and then deleted again. My 1965 drive flanges all have the filler screw and they are original.
Quote from: 58paul on Dec 20, 2023, 07:56 AMNo37 was the first 2L I'd have ever seen when I was a kid at a LR show at Stoneleigh. I remember it being very original back then.
It won't have series 1 axles, they will be S2, but what it probably refers to is S1 carryover of the Hubs etc, only the axle case and halfshafts were originally modified (widen by a few inches) at first, then about 59/60 the brake back plates changed, then in late 60, early 61 the drop arms were changed to the familiar bottom mounting position.
As said, some of the early 88 S2 prototypes used the semi floating S1 units. Production versions were ready for start of production in March 58.
Thanks Paul.
The Series One Parts Catalogue states that fully-floating rear axles were fitted to all SI 109" vehicles from vehicles numbered xxxx. onwards.
And they were also available for Series One 1957-58 vehicles, "as extra equipment".
Half-shaft replacements were long enough for the Series Two axle casing, because if you fitted them to a Series One, they needed a spacer behind the drive flange on each side. (These spacers were available as a Genuine spare part).
It is interesting therefore, that they still used some semi-floating half-shafts for very early Series Twos.
Reassembled my handbrake assembly after a strip and paint a few months ago.
I am so glad I took a lot of photos before disassembly!
Went out to collect some shopping, deliver some Christmas cards and fill up with diesel. The weather was foul
Peter
Fitted the lower badge to my Series 3 today.
The paint on the badge hasn't been completed but has been left as is for personal reasons.
Drove the danged thing home with the oil light on :shakinghead
... I suspect a dodgy sender tbh 🤞
Quote from: Peter Holden on Dec 20, 2023, 08:05 PMWent out to collect some shopping, deliver some Christmas cards and fill up with diesel. The weather was foul
Peter
I did exactly the same yesterday in Legless the IIA diesel.
I use it all through the Winter, rain, shine - or salt.
You don't see too many classic Land Rovers on the roads at this time of year.....
loaded my 88" diesel up with scrap the other day and went off to the scrap yard, had a lot of crap in there + an old cast iron bath broken in half. series handled it as expected, a lot better driving it on the way back though! the weight was 1920kg on the scale and 1420kg when I left, good job I fitted the heavy duty rear springs with the helper leaves :RHD
the guys at the scrap yard always get a joy out of seeing it, rather than a tipper van every day...gassed the guy on the weighbridge though, he sits right where the exhaust is on the way out, I need to remember to turn it off once I'm on there :cheers-man
Finally, after 13 months, I got a few hours to visit my SW in storage. I went through all the parts boxes and checked what was there and what might be needed for the rebuild. All looking good. My "to buy" list looks much smaller than I thought so less worried about cost than I was.
2 big decisions - chassis and bulkhead... Something to mull over during the Christmas chaos.
Refitted the transfer case cover (Roamerdrive aluminium one) with new gasket and a light smear of compound as it leaked a bit. Likely it wasn't clean enough when I fitted it on my back 2 years ago. Easier when on the bench.
Refitted the layshaft and bell housing. Layshaft nut to 75lbs - not loose as I found it.
Reassembled the clutch release mechanism with a new shaft and seal.
Ended up on Boxing Day doing a mini service, all fluids checked and topped up, tyres checked, ready for our group Twixtmas trip out on Friday.
After refuelling the Land Rover was on dog walking duties. A very pleasant hour's walk and a 15 mile round trip today.
The former BOAT where I walked the dogs is now a restricted byway. I think this came about through local pressure as the track is an easy drive, not prone to deep ruts in wet weather. Tree trunks block off vehicular access from one end and a notice banning all except authorised vehicles (farm vehicles) at the other.
Another one bites the dust!!
Got the knackered donor Saab for my "decent" Saab running and back together and finally shifted from infront of the 109 that it was blocking in its spot behind the workshop. One stage closer to getting it IN the workshop!
Went out in the kayak and took the scenic route home. Nice to have the heater working again.
went to collect a load of sand, sand is currently sat in the tub for emptying tomorrow, pretty cold and wet all day, so the smiths heater was nice to have. like an oven in the truck cab.
land rover looks nice and level with a load of weight in the back, drove nicely too :RHD
Took Legless the diesel IIA on a road run, in a convoy of at least ten other local Series II/III's.
Sadly, many of them have left this Club lately (but I'd better not go there..... :shakinghead)
Quote from: Exile on Dec 29, 2023, 05:32 PMTook Legless the diesel IIA on a road run, in a convoy of at least ten other local Series II/III's.
Saw photos of that on Facebook, looked like a good run out. I was particularly fond of the yellow lightweight. That looked very smart!
Physically, not a great deal. Just getting over an operation so not able to drive at the moment, but I can still shop!
Used the club discount for paddocks to order a new powerlite hi torque starter motor for my project. It was already discounted and the club discount on top made it well worth it. Now I can return the starter motor I was kindly lent by a friend once I feel up to fitting it :cheers-man
Quote from: Tom on Dec 29, 2023, 07:33 PMQuote from: Exile on Dec 29, 2023, 05:32 PMTook Legless the diesel IIA on a road run, in a convoy of at least ten other local Series II/III's.
Saw photos of that on Facebook, looked like a good run out. I was particularly fond of the yellow lightweight. That looked very smart!
The yellow lightweight was really cool and a well restored example, and I don't usually like lightweight land rovers. It was a great runout.
Out on the Christmas pudding run in the Yorkshire dales. The rain was biblical and caused us to miss out one lane but we still had a good day.
Peter
:gold-cup
Same as Peter, another brilliant Xmas pudding run from Masham to Ripley castle.
It was cold, it was wet...... but it was fantastic.
Thanks to everyone :cheers-man
Not so wet but a round trip of about 150 miles for the Severn Valley "Indigestion Run".
Just about finished the school holiday service and general check over. Noticed one of my brake drums has a nice crack in it though so off to Rimmer bros on Tuesday :RHD
Well spotted. I wonder what caused that? Usually its something near a wheel stud hole. Maybe it got dropped at some point?
I'm quite sure the studs are clear and there wasn't anything on the hub flange. What appears to be the epicenter of the crack looks to have some historical damage or casting imperfection so you may well be right ??? The lip on the other side is missing on 50% of the circumference so it's obviously been abused in its life.
I sold it!
After 23 years. 23 years and it only ever let me down once. I've never owned a more practical, capable vehicle, and one that drew so much affectionate attention from complete strangers.
The strange thing is that I had expected the selling of the old thing to be much more of a wrench than it turned out to be. I had expected to be really sorry to see it go, and to miss it.
That hasn't happened. Maybe because I had been thinking about doing it for best part of the year. I have realised that my time running a classic vehicle has come to an end. I don't have the strength to use the starting handle, removing the tilt and fume curtain, and replacing them in the winter, had become a chore for my 80 year-old body, and the speedy cut-throat driving of some lunatics around my neck of the woods was beginning to be a challenge when I was pootling around, not a real pleasure anymore.
I never maintained it my self, being incapable, and was using it less and less.
So, no regrets. Just lots of fond memories, and the faint feeling of melancholy that my advanced years have changed me, not the Series II. It will go on and on, and I won't.....
But I've a new (to me) vehicle to pootle around in, much more in keeping with my advancing years. It's an early Discovery 4, which will be much, much more costly to maintain, but is still a Land Rover, and in my view will be a future classic...
So I'll still be around a while yet, and may still meet some of you at the annual Rally, or a Club meet somewhere, and I'll stay a Club member and Forum contributor.
A very Happy. Healthy and Prosperous New Year to all....
Sorry to hear that Crumbly, but I know this horrible decision will come to us all. I just refuse to think about it.
But I think you have made a good choice in the Disco 4. It is the last Land Rover to look like it might be a Land Rover.
My son has acquired his Mothers well-maintained Disco 3 and is looking after it like it's a classic, and my Land Rover fanatic friend of nearly 30 years is buying a Disco 3 too. (If you buy one of these prior to a certain cut-off date the road tax is cheaper too).
Best of luck for the future. :cheers-man
Reassembled the transmission brake Friday (new drum and shoes arrived) ready to go back on. At some point...
Cleaned up the chassis today where the gearbox sits ready for some rust treatment/paint. Noticed the outriggers where the tub sits have been badly welded on as well as the front ones i already knew about. Sigh.
Love my Disco 4, sure you will too.
Quote from: Exile on Dec 31, 2023, 05:57 PMSorry to hear that Crumbly, but I know this horrible decision will come to us all. I just refuse to think about it.
But I think you have made a good choice in the Disco 4. It is the last Land Rover to look like it might be a Land Rover.
My son has acquired his Mothers well-maintained Disco 3 and is looking after it like it's a classic, and my Land Rover fanatic friend of nearly 30 years is buying a Disco 3 too. (If you buy one of these prior to a certain cut-off date the road tax is cheaper too).
Best of luck for the future. :cheers-man
Thank you for the kind words Charles. Yes - the Disco 3/4 may well be the last most practical true Land Rover. Even allowing for the much reported and well known range of faults. With a completely flat floor, 3.5 ton towing ability, and " go anywhere" understated ability coupled with distinctive classic looks, it is a vehicle that's hard to beat.
For me, there IS a difference between a Land Rover Discovery 3 and a 4 with "Land Rover" on the bonnet, and a Discovery 4 with just "Discovery" on the bonnet. So a big raspberry to JLR for dropping the Land Rover name.
But as this is the Series II Club Forum, I don't want to provoke a discussion about Discoveries. Suffice it to say, I still consider the Series II the finest of the leaf-sprung Land Rovers. More practical than its much loved and worthy predecessor, and more sturdy and better built than its successors. My 1959 Series II will always hold a special place in my life's memories, and I just trust the new owner to learn to care for it as I did. He's on a steep learning curve, bless him....
I finished my underseat storage box and started cutting ali scraps for replacement sill brackets.
Prepped my chassis 'middle bit' last few days as time allowed - before putting the gearbox back in.
Not too bad on the sides, just the tops and edges that are poor.
Did the first coat of RE tonight.
Haven't done the outer sides as the outriggers are likely coming off at some point.