My new baby, + questions on ignition/steering lock

Hi all,

I usually frequent the 90/110/Defender forum, but today, I bought this lovely little petrol 1980 SIII from a colleague at work. He's had it a couple of years, but hasn't driven it in the last year, and just last month some idiots broke in to it, and made a hideous mess of the ignition barrel/switch assembly, hence, I got it very cheap, and had to come up with a dubious way of unlocking the steering lock, then hotwire it to drive it 2 miles home.

Was wondering if anyone could advise me on the following. I need to get a new ignition switch assembly, and there's one from a diesel which is available on fleabay at the moment fairly cheaply. Was wondering if it would work well with my 2 1/4 petrol? Would the only difference be extra wiring for glow plugs on the diesel?

I've got a lot to learn again now I've travelled back in time to series territory!

Any assistance appreciated!

just to sing the praises of this thing, she's been stood for ages, and we didn't have to coax her in to starting for too long really, and she sounds really good, apart from the really whiny transmission, but I _think_ that might be feature, not a problem. I followed my girlfriend back in with it earlier, she was in the 2.5NA 90, and when we went up a steep hill, I had quite a bit of power whilst the 2.5NA was struggling to keep doing 40, and that surprised me! The gear stick is really wobbly, don't know if it's supposed to have return springs or not, but it definitely hasn't at the moment. It's just such a shame that those morons have made such a complete balls up of trying to steal it. None of the door locks work now, and the ignition barrel area is a complete and utter mess.

If anyone's got any tips on changing the ignition switch assembly in lieu of me getting hold of a new one, that'd be much appreciated!

Cheers. Tom.

pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee take orf those silly spots

I was tempted to stick 'em on the 90. I like the classic look of a series, and I don't mind ricing the 90 up a bit, so it makes sense to steal them

It looks like swapping this ignition switch should be OK. JuSt need to drill out the shear bolts. I'm hoping to purchase a good ignition switch assembly later today.

get the right switch in your case petrol they are cheap,they are no springs to hold gear lever only those for reverse to give detent to push against so youi can select first ,it can be adjusted on screw if too loose or tight ,also bottom of stick wears and can be made up with weld etc

Thanks James. The switch I'm looking at buying today is for a petrol so that's cool. It sounds like the gear selection is fine from what you say! Cheers for the reply!

it does look good ,as good as any not recently done up ive seen for a while whats chassis like

The chassis seems pretty good to me. It's had a fair bit of patching in the past though!

im just finishing off my light weight probably swapping it for d2 as mrs wants one,wouldnt mind getting a series 3 ,putting 2.5 petrol and fuul canvas,i see so many poor ones you gorget they can look good