52 replies to this topic

[johnR]

Steering wheel now restored - I can't decide whether to paint the rim or not, so I'll leave it for now.

[johnR]

I've done quite a lot of work on the Landy, but most of it has been stripping down various parts around the engine bay so I can trial fit the engine while it's still lift-able. That has now been done - I'm pleased to see that it doesn't look as though the driver's side bulkhead needs to be altered, although the passenger side will need opening out to clear the exhaust headers etc as expected. It's great to see the engine in place (even if it is only the bare block & heads!) feels like progress. I've started making templates for the engine mounts using 'CAD', once that's done I can start building the engine whilst carrying on re-furbishing other parts. Having all the Landrover parts strewn around the garage did have the benefit of a) prompting me to put the engine back in the Mini to make space, and b) getting a shelf unit to store the parts vertically which has transformed the space available!  

[johnR]

I've been drilling out spot-welds to remove sections of the passenger footwell to make room for the lump - just trying to decide whether to preserve original metal or replace the whole footwell to deal with the rust. I'm also continuing to deox fixtures and fittings and gathering parts like this fan switch which is a perfect fit in the centre of the auxiliary gauge panel rather than on a separate bracket.

[johnR]

Nearside footwell cut back to match the other - now I need to check the clearance of the engine with heads and exhaust manifolds in place and decide whether to re-use the side plate with a 25mm strip at the back or to re-make it.

[johnR]

Due to the loss of the motor project's compound Jo is now on my driveway which should make it easier to work on. I now have a nice shiny exhaust for it and have fabricated a battery box so fit under the seat box 9awaiting return from galvanising) I have been gathering parts and have most of them now, just a starter motor and alternator left to get once the engine is re-built which is the next priority. I managed to find a period MagnaTex indicator switch on Ebay for a bit less than the usual stupid money which came with a few inhabitants!

[johnR]

With the better weather I've been able to spend more time on( or mostly underneath) the Landy. I have fitted the rear exhaust sections, brake flexis and most of the brake pipes and cleaned up and painted the tow hitch plate. I drained the axles and gearboxes only to find small pieces of metal in the main gearbox one which will need investigating - a job for the Youth Motor project.

I will pick up the first batch of re-plated fixings tomorrow which will allow me to attach the brake master reservoir and pipe clips so that the brakes will be largely finished. I have my fabricated battery box back from the galvanisers and have bolted it in with rivnuts into the chassis ready for wiring up in due course. 

[johnR]

Gearbox out ready for strip-down, brakes and clutch lines almost done.

[johnR]

The gearbox has been stripped down, it was found that the idiot who last did any work on it used an undersized split-pin on the castellated nut on the end of the layshaft. This then fell out, the nut wound itself off and the subsequent movement stressed the ring that secures the 2nd speed layshaft gear causing it to start breaking up - hence the sections of it in the drain plug. Luckily there was enough of it left to secure the gear, although for how much longer if I hadn't found it? There was some wear to the 3/4th synchro so I've replaced that, but otherwise all looks good and it can now go back together. I've also mounted the engine block on a stand ready for me overseeing the lads at the motor project re-building it. Now we're having warmer, drier weather I can get more parts painted, and as I've now taken apart most of the assemblies that need investigating/restoring, the work now will be the fun part of putting it back together.