New owner saying hello

Hello all, I'm currently buying a 1974 88 which has been in the family for a few years with known history for some years before that. So it's getting a "10000" service before I drive it the 200 miles to its new home. It needs new springs especially on the rear which will be done before its next MOT. I look forward to taking part here, thanks

Hi David and welcome here and to the series section.Keep em going.

+1

Welcome, good luck with the rear springs...a satisfying but cruddy job which will improve the ride n handling. If they've been on for a long time just cut it all out with a 4" grinder. The top bolt on the shocks usually unscrew OK, but the bottom is best just burning out the rubber bush to get the slack. You'll also probably have to drill out the split pin (6mm drill) if it's been on for years and all rusted/ siezed and recommend reaming (32mm)the hanger hole before trying to drive the new bushes on

Don't bother recycling anything, replace the lot. Springs, bushes, shackles, pins, U-bolts, shocks, shock bushes, bolts, washers and split pins. That way you won't feel guilty about cutting all the bits off!
A couple of tips - if the pins won't knock out (or the nuts won't come off) the front mountings slip a hacksaw blade between the spring and chassis and cut through both sides - not forgetting to support the axle! The remains of the pins will knock out easily. If you can't get the tool for removing the chassis bush, pull out the rubber bit, cut through the outer metal part of the bush with a hacksaw and remove with a sharp chisel. Set up the height (as per book) before tightening the bush pins up. Messy job but very rewarding when it's done.

Hi David and welcome! Mines a 74 88 and you will find a very nice helpful bunch here! They also ALL agree that 1974 was the best year for the series. LOL. Kind regards. Chris

"ALL agree that 1974 was the best year for the series"
hear hear! (Now tax exempt too!!!)

RobertP said:

"ALL agree that 1974 was the best year for the series"
hear hear! (Now tax exempt too!!!)

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Speaking as one who owns a 64 and a 54...I might argue that sentiment just a WEE bit...

More seriously though welcome and never hesitate to ask questions.

Alan

Welcome. Good to hear someone servicing it fully before transporting

All, many thanks for your welcome and good advice especially about springs etc. Am collecting it next week after the big service which has thrown up no horrors so far, before driving the 200 miles home. So I've been amused by the other thread on preps for a long journey, will remember to take a roll of garden wire as a cure-all, and a big hammer just in case. I'll let you know how I get on.

Land Raver said:

Welcome. Good to hear someone servicing it fully before transporting

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I agree there. I bought mine in Cheltenham and brought it back to Sussex, around 150 miles by the time I'd messed up the navigation and sorted out the van that had come with me, which lost all his water on the motorway. Firstly the cluch slave cylinder unbolted itself near Oxford, but then when I changed all the oils at home there was literally a single drip of oil that came out of the front axle and 3 drips in one of the swivels. Seems to have survived luckily.

Safely home in one go last night, flawless performance by the vehicle. 220 miles of A roads, no motorways, 6 hours so average about 35mph. Seemed most comfortable in overdrive 4th at about 45mph. Used about 10 gallons of 95 octane, is that about right? Anyway all your advice gratefully received.

10 gallons 220 miles for a petrol is good

Good to hear it made it safe and sound, pop up a few pics at some stage. Mine also a 74! Is much the same defo at its best about 45mph.

I'm running rich and had a slight drip from the fuel tank, but averaged 12mpg over my first 4 months of use, so you're doing much better than me. I tend to cruise at 55 on main roads without overdrive though, so that might explain the difference a bit too.

Are all Series 3 SWB blue with a cream top? Interesting about petrol consumption, I can be reasonably confident about not wasting fuel as a new petrol tank was fitted a couple of years ago. Overdrive clearly makes a significant difference to the mpg. I got the paperwork for it the other day, and in the last 10 years it had always been fixed for the MOT but until the big service last week had not been serviced since 2006! Paperwork also confirmed a galvanised chassis put in in 2003

I'll post some pics in the next few days

Hello and welcome. Sounds like you have a good bus there.

And a galv chassis as well !??!? fantastic - should last for ever, more or less !!

I passed my test in a 56 petrol IIA, and love series LR. they are so simple, and yet so capable. I have to have an auto now, due health problems, but still have a lot of admiration for all the series'.

A question for you if I may. Back axle, diff is offset right and under left side drive shaft is a box section, what's it for as clearly not structural or MOT failure, my bus' part is very nearly gone. Does this matter?

Found out today that Tuesday's italian tune up may lead to need for new exhaust system, fumes in the cab etc so thankful for the vents...Where do readers recommend for a front to back system? Thanks

Welcome to one of the friendliest forums on the net! I agree that ideally you recycle nothing and replace with new but I would also argue that to keep within a budget anything saved is a bonus. So far I have renovated all my springs and they seem fine... (total cost £0)

The box section you mentioned is a strengthener can be removed , but most have replaced.