Series 2a 1971 Restoration

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Madcal

Member
Posts
26
Location
Suffolk
Thought it was time I registered and posted some questions and hopefully some solutions.

I decided 4 years ago to nut-and-bolt restore my Series 2a 88. She had 90,000 miles and every single bodge heard of on an old Landy. Bulkhead was rotten, chassis was rotten, electrics were shot, engine ran OK but had no power, gearbox was clunky etc.

So I decided I wanted her to be perfect before I start playing in forests again and thought it would take me around 6 months. Here we are more than 4 years later and I reckon I am 6 months away now.

Major things I have bought are:

- New fully galvanised chassis from Richards
- Refurbished galvanised bulkhead from Ashtree
- NOS Engine from Turners (block has never been fired), 5MB with an unleaded head
- Refurbished with longer ratios gearbox and transfer box from Syncro gearboxes
- New leaf springs, shocks etc
- Refurbished galvanised front panel from Ashtree
- New wiring loom from Autosparks (with alternator conversion more on this later)
- New copper brake pipes
- Pretty much every perishable or easily replaceable part renewed

So I started by stripping everything down / off and having the new chassis sprayed black then using that as a base.

Lesson number 1: don't throw away the "wedge" which is needed under the engine mount to align with chassis... Mine went to the skip with the old chassis and only a local Land Rover specialist saved me by finding a wedge in the back of a container. Only £5 but was a show-stopper for a few days.

Lesson number 2: remove the fuel pickup pipe from the petrol tank before throwing the old petrol tank away...

Fast forward 4 years and I now have engine/gearbox/propshafts installed, wiring loom partially installed. Bulkhead on, seatbox on, rear tub on, brake lines 95% done. I need to finish electrics, then get radiator and water in, then attach power and fuel and see if she will start...

In case such a thread is of interest I can post many many photos and lessons learned. I know I am not the first to do this but I have had a massive amount of googling to do to figure things out....
 
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This is what she looked like when I started.. Not too bad I hear you say but I will post some photos of what was underneath shortly.
 
I have been stuck too many times to remember.

Lesson Learned Number 4: Drill out all holes in newly galvanised stuff before you have it painted and definitely before you install it.

- I failed on lesson 4 with the new bulkhead and had to drill out the bits where the hinge pins for the vent flaps go. 3 out of the 4 I did fine with a drill with the wonky end thing on it (as you cannot get a drill close enough). The 4th I have fubarred and it only has 20% of it's length attached now. So I either grind it all down, weld it up (hard with a copper pipe in the middle needed) and re-paint or just leave it. GRRRR

PS I will get the hang of posting images soon sorry.
 
There's some good restoration pictures there. It looks very thorough, And in a very clean and tidy garage too!
 
Thanks for the nice words.

If I took a photo right now it would not look so nice; everything is everywhere but when you pop in and out of the garage when you get 30 minutes you tend not to tidy up.

I got a stainless exhaust and a few other bits delivered today so will continue tonight.

I do not have a running total (do you think I am crazy!!!) but with engine, gearbox, chassis, bulkhead etc I am north of probably £12k, add in all the other bits probably another £5k. The landy cost £1,200 when I bought it. I am sure I could buy a mint fully restored one for less than this will cost me but as you all know this is not the point. It is a labour of love and a learning journey and it will never be sold.

I am lucky enough to be able to afford to do it "no expense spared" and not to have to rush and am having great fun (most of the time).
 
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