The Old Land Rover Arms

Landrover stuff => The Landrover Gallery => Topic started by: PCB93 on October 11, 2016, 12:31:23 am

Title: 1979 Series III and its re-build.
Post by: PCB93 on October 11, 2016, 12:31:23 am

Evening all,

First of my two vehicles is this Series III, which has only been back on the road since July after a year-long re-build. Other than the 2.5 petrol engine, it's completely standard - nothing to get too excited about, but I'll carry on...

(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm188/pcb1878/1_zpsjp0zxn3b.jpg)

Bought it as my first vehicle three years ago, when it was rather battered and chequer-plate laden (hate the stuff), but cheap. I renewed a few brake cylinders, removed all the chequer-plate, replaced a few panels and gave the paintwork a go-over with a roller, then put it into regular use. It quickly became apparent that mechanically it was on its last legs, with assorted bangs from the engine, whining diffs, crunchy gearbox, pitted swivels etc., but somehow it never once let me down in 18 months of use in this state. I felt it had earned the right to a second life by the time the chassis began visibly crumbling around June last year. Luckily I had access to quite a large garage.

A couple of hours into the strip-down:
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm188/pcb1878/2_zpsjrcoanwx.jpg)

2.5 Petrol engine - chaps at the engine centre I used said they'd never seen such a worn engine still running:
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm188/pcb1878/3_zpsh4aj6kpa.jpg)

Both footwells had been poorly patched - plates welded only across the bottom, with silicone sealant along the other three edges:
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm188/pcb1878/4_zpselfxzgby.jpg)

Bulkhead out. The wiring had been chopped about over the years and working out what was what holds the title as my least favourite job from the whole re-build:
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm188/pcb1878/5_zpsuexcjzgz.jpg)

All bodywork removed. Much of the underside of the rear chassis dropped out as I hauled the tub clear:
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm188/pcb1878/6_zps3ynm7qga.jpg)

Engine on its way out. Chassis cut in half for better access to gearbox fixings etc.:
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm188/pcb1878/7_zpsfgf3uzmr.jpg)

Front axle on the bench. NS swivel was thoroughly oil-soaked, OS was dry - due to being completely empty, of course:
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm188/pcb1878/8_zpspl9kdyyw.jpg)

Rear axle. The strengthening box-sections mostly disintegrated when jet-washed, so I ground off the remainder:
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm188/pcb1878/9_zpse5l5srgu.jpg)

A month later - two re-built axles. I used Frost's chassis black and it's coping well with the temperature fluctuations associated with running:
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm188/pcb1878/10_zpsmjfsgm5t.jpg)

Gearbox up next. Sludgy McSludgeface:
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm188/pcb1878/11_zpsjsj19ggd.jpg)

Re-built with OEM bearings and seals plus a few new gears. Shiny McShineface:
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm188/pcb1878/12_zpstlqktv6i.jpg)

New Richards chassis. T-washed, etch-primed and chassis blacked:
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm188/pcb1878/13_zpsfk1g62vr.jpg)

Two days later - rolling chassis. Gearbox went in early to get the hand-brake on:
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm188/pcb1878/14_zpsjl2pnzdu.jpg)

Repaired bulkhead in place. Felt I was getting somewhere at this point:
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm188/pcb1878/15_zpsl9hss8xk.jpg)

Engine back in. Re-bored block, re-ground crank and a Turner head:
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm188/pcb1878/16_zpsr9eutx2d.jpg)

Home re-covered dash. Not the best job you'll see, but far better than what came out. Electrics all sorted, following much profanity:
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm188/pcb1878/17_zpshvbky51z.jpg)

Bodywork mostly sorted. Paint Man enamel works well with a roller:
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm188/pcb1878/18_zpsfulkyq78.jpg)

Also with a brush. Wheel rims ready to go:
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm188/pcb1878/19_zpsyadxws9y.jpg)

New rear tub floor in. From YRM:
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm188/pcb1878/20_zpsmnof7ybc.jpg)

Hard-top back on, doors all pretty well lined up:
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm188/pcb1878/21_zpsvop3tti5.jpg)

A few bits still yet to be fitted on the morning of the MOT. Never been particularly organised:
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm188/pcb1878/22_zpsjpsnu55x.jpg)

Finished engine bay:
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm188/pcb1878/23_zpsourep8bw.jpg)

Finished interior, seats are original. Boingy thing outside is nothing to do with me:
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm188/pcb1878/24_zpsdeudlfsy.jpg)

Job done, back as my daily drive. After a few minor 'teething problems' it's smoother than I thought possible, and unerringly reliable so far. Satisfied:
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm188/pcb1878/25_zpsmtjdungk.jpg)

That's that, then. Hope this provides a gripping read for someone, at least! I'll aim to get some photos of the Carawagon on tomorrow - it's in a somewhat dilapidated state, and I'll have lots of questions!

Phil

Title: Re: 1979 Series III and its re-build.
Post by: Big-chris on October 11, 2016, 03:38:43 am

Very nice, and extremely well done, looks beautiful, I think I need a marine blue wagon in my life  rbchn
  sh1  lkebtn  sh1  drll

Title: Re: 1979 Series III and its re-build.
Post by: freewheeling_pubs on October 11, 2016, 07:41:40 am

Oo, that's a beauty! I'll not show the wife, she's already of the opinion that mine's not shiny enough...

Title: Re: 1979 Series III and its re-build.
Post by: Calum on October 11, 2016, 12:25:18 pm

That's a cracker! Looking forward to seeing pics of the Carawagon!

Title: Re: 1979 Series III and its re-build.
Post by: hippydave on October 11, 2016, 04:10:53 pm

Nice work dude.

Title: Re: 1979 Series III and its re-build.
Post by: 2 hammers on October 11, 2016, 05:46:26 pm

Liking that a lot. Proper motor these 3's.

Title: Re: 1979 Series III and its re-build.
Post by: frecko on October 11, 2016, 08:04:31 pm

that's blimmin lovely mate, well done!  lkebtn

Title: Re: 1979 Series III and its re-build.
Post by: espacekiller on October 12, 2016, 07:15:49 pm

Very nice indeed, some effort gone in to that lkebtn


Why does everybody else's workshop look tidy whilst mine always looks like a grenade just went off. 5xif

Title: Re: 1979 Series III and its re-build.
Post by: Marque on October 13, 2016, 09:37:02 pm

Well done Sir. I salute you.
M

Title: Re: 1979 Series III and its re-build.
Post by: Puddlejumper on October 14, 2016, 09:11:57 am

Quote from: espacekiller on October 12, 2016, 07:15:49 pm

Very nice indeed, some effort gone in to that lkebtn


Why does everybody else's workshop look tidy whilst mine always looks like a grenade just went off. 5xif

It's not us that's got a problem mate, it's them....

"A tidy garage is the sign of a sick mind"  wdesmle

Title: Re: 1979 Series III and its re-build.
Post by: 94mharris on October 14, 2016, 11:22:23 am

Excellent job! Looks really smart. Very tidy garage as well..., lkebtn

Title: Re: 1979 Series III and its re-build.
Post by: Gossamer on October 14, 2016, 05:08:59 pm

 lkebtn lkebtn

Title: Re: 1979 Series III and its re-build.
Post by: Nellieboy on October 15, 2016, 01:57:04 pm

 lkebtn lkebtn

Title: Re: 1979 Series III and its re-build.
Post by: PCB93 on October 17, 2016, 04:50:50 pm

Thanks all, it's certainly the most satisfying thing I've done with my life so far - hopefully one day the Carawagon will surpass it. I was asked up to Edinburgh at short notice, so haven't managed to sort any photos yet - will get some on this evening.

It wasn't intentional, but somehow the pictures here appear to have given the illusion that I have a consistently tidy garage. This is most definitely not the case under normal circumstances!

Phil