Land Rover V8 restoration - what have I got myself into?

[Jelly_Sheffield]

Sorry, completely missed this.
It is down to the advance weights and springs, total advance stop, and probably the vacuum capsule in the distributor.

If you use a P6 or P5B distributor, which will be points, they are meant for 5 star fuel, so the advance curve is unsuitable for modern fuels, it advances too quickly. Causes pinking or pre ignition, and will blow holes in the pistons if you are unlucky.

Opposite with the LR low compression distributor.

If you use 9.35 pistons you can use a Range Rover distributor, and get away with it.

You could of course get the distributor reworked, but those who can do this properly are very few and far between (and expensive)

Thanks for the info, although I'm a ways off being able to make good use of it.

Getting a RRC dizzy would probably be the easiest way to do that if I am upgrading the pistons, but there would be a case for just switching to and aftermarket electronic ignition control, as it would be about the same amount of work (possibly less if the RRC part I can source needs rebuilding).

 

[8ob]

Thanks for the info, although I'm a ways off being able to make good use of it.

Getting a RRC dizzy would probably be the easiest way to do that if I am upgrading the pistons, but there would be a case for just switching to and aftermarket electronic ignition control, as it would be about the same amount of work (possibly less if the RRC part I can source needs rebuilding).

Not sure of the age of your engine but dizzy swaps can be a bit of a minefield on these rover lumps, gear/pump drives are not all the same.

Bob

 

[Smallfry]

Not sure of the age of your engine but dizzy swaps can be a bit of a minefield on these rover lumps, gear/pump drives are not all the same.

Bob

Not bad at all. Just a matter of knowing what you have to start with !

 

[8ob]

Not bad at all. Just a matter of knowing what you have to start with !

True but not that easy with the way these engines get swapped about.

 

[sako243]

@Jelly_Sheffield I keep getting distracted onto other work but I am part way through wiring up a custom ECU for my Sandringham 6x6 (which was a "factory" conversion from a Stage 1 V8). It's had many engines before I got it but I've put a 4.6 GEMs engine back in. The main difference compared to the standard Megasquirt setups is I've built it to use all the factory sensors and triggers.

Might be an option for you in the future if you want?

 

[Jelly_Sheffield]

@Jelly_Sheffield I keep getting distracted onto other work but I am part way through wiring up a custom ECU for my Sandringham 6x6 (which was a "factory" conversion from a Stage 1 V8). It's had many engines before I got it but I've put a 4.6 GEMs engine back in. The main difference compared to the standard Megasquirt setups is I've built it to use all the factory sensors and triggers.

Might be an option for you in the future if you want?

Honestly I flip flop back and forth about significant engine upgrades and electronic control.

The Rover V8's are very modifiable, so naturally it's a temptation...

But given its a near enough original former press vehicle, it seems churlish to destroy that history when I can do a sympathetic restoration.

I'm not a rivet counter, by any means, but I figure I'm young, and there are much more broken landies I could buy if I wanted to do radical modifications.

 

[Jelly_Sheffield]

Sheeting that was a hell of a lot harder than building the frame, which itself was some work.

But, I am now prepared for winter, and things will get done.

And I have already walked into the crossbars several times.

 

[Bobupndown]

Saw this on ebay:-

Pardon our interruption...

Looks like a nice example of a Stage One V8.
Buying fire engines (and Routemaster buses) has been suggested to my wife before and has not met with approval so I'll not even mention this one.
I have casually dropped into conversation that I'd quite like to buy an ordinary Series 2/2a or 3 when I retire and this plan has not been dismissed so I'll keep working on that one

 

[Jelly_Sheffield]

Saw this on ebay:-

Pardon our interruption...

Looks like a nice example of a Stage One V8.
Buying fire engines (and Routemaster buses) has been suggested to my wife before and has not met with approval so I'll not even mention this one.
I have casually dropped into conversation that I'd quite like to buy an ordinary Series 2/2a or 3 when I retire and this plan has not been dismissed so I'll keep working on that one

That's a very nice example, fluro markings notwithstanding.

FWIW I think the Stage One might be one of the better eras of Landy to own, assuming that it's not a total rust bucket.

Mechanically it's built like an ox, but still very simple, and you get all the drama of a series, but with modern motorway speeds still attainable (ish, it would keep up with the Hilux, which is my benchmark).

FWIW, there's a good chance this will end up as my partner's winter car, as she's an agri-biologist, so the little MX5 isn't an ideal work vehicle in the winter months.

 

[Jelly_Sheffield]

Last small gap in the pilar replacement finally buttoned up, and door back on.

I know I have the correct screws purchased from YRM somewhere in either the Landy or Workshop.

But I'm ******** if I can locate them right now, so a socket head cap screw and 3 × M8 Bolts on M10 washers will do for the time being...

My mate who helped re-fit it reckons it's "In-keeping with the character of the vehicle".

Fitted a new headlight assembly too, so I can begin to re-assemble the wing tomorrow.

All in today was a pretty unproductive day, but it did get me going again with the Landy, which is what I really needed to make happen.

 

[minimutly]

That's a very nice example, fluro markings notwithstanding.

FWIW I think the Stage One might be one of the better eras of Landy to own, assuming that it's not a total rust bucket.

Mechanically it's built like an ox, but still very simple, and you get all the drama of a series, but with modern motorway speeds still attainable (ish, it would keep up with the Hilux, which is my benchmark).

FWIW, there's a good chance this will end up as my partner's winter car, as she's an agri-biologist, so the little MX5 isn't an ideal work vehicle in the winter months.

A month of paying the fuel bills will soon change that M&S tyres on the mx5 a lot cheaper (and more fun)..

 

[Jelly_Sheffield]

Seam Sealer Time, not sure if I have been generous enough
...

Given the overall condition of the vehicle when I got it, maybe full immersion would have been the better option!

Nice easy job next, remove a spinning rivnut... Any tips appreciated.

 

[OJCar]

remove a spinning rivnut... Any tips appreciated

Try using a good sharp centre punch to try and tighten the flange of the rivnut enough to drill it out.
Or tack weld the rivnut to the panel and drill it out.
Else centre punch on the middle of the cut bolt and smite most mightily with the BFH to belt the rivnut right through the panel.

 

[Jelly_Sheffield]

Try using a good sharp centre punch to try and tighten the flange of the rivnut enough to drill it out.
Or tack weld the rivnut to the panel and drill it out.
Else centre punch on the middle of the cut bolt and smite most mightily with the BFH to belt the rivnut right through the panel.

Having tried the to reset it with a punch, I went straight to brute force...

Welded an M8 stud to the end of the existing bolt and gave it a hard blow with a slide hammer.

POP!

Then went into the workshop to find I don't have any M8 rivnuts left to see if I can get away with re-setting them both today.

 

[OJCar]

I welded an M8 stud to the end and gave it a whack with a slide hammer.

Option D

Option F Leave it as is and just ignore

 

[Jelly_Sheffield]

Option D

Option F Leave it as is and just ignore

I think the "heater" rattling against the bulkhead might actually have driven me mad.

They're loud enough as it is without adding another noise to the symphony cacophony.

 

[OJCar]

the "heater" rattling against the bulkhead

Neoprene gasket twixt heater and bulkhead to cut down on the rattling keep the warm air in ...

They're loud enough as it is

PARDON ?

 

[Jelly_Sheffield]

PARDON ?

I SAID, SHE'S RUNNING SWEET AS A NUT, AYE?

 

[OJCar]

I SAID, SHE'S RUNNING SWEET AS A NUT, AYE?

WHITE AND ONE SUGAR, TA.

 

[Jelly_Sheffield]

Got drilled out for mounting the heater and blower, followed by yet another blast of cold galv (based on current consumption I would advise all readers to buy shares in anti-corrosion paint companies).

I'm on a roll with small jobs, so why not a touch of bodywork?

Finding the hammers and dollies was a pain, turns out I store them under the top handle chainsaw, that's hidden under a bath-mat from about 3 house moves ago... Obviously

That came out so well I started to think about how you can make autogenous gas welds in Birmabrite metal...

Before quickly seeing sense.

This does mean I have now exhausted all avenues of procrastination to avoid reinstalling the outer-wing, bugger!