My first landrover - What should I know?

Hello everyone

I have just got my first landrover a 1972 SWB series 3 and realy could do with some tips on what I need to know to keep her in running order.

I will know a little more about her when i pick it up at the end of this week. But for all purposes she is running well and the engine is in good working order.

Could people help me with general maintenance tips, and early warning signs for common problems.
I am so happy my first landy. (I have looked for a long time to find the right one)

Congrat's on buying your first Landy!
I too have just bought my first one and am just stripping her down to put her back in order.
By rule of thumb the most important tool is a big hammer! lol

Congrats too.
Theres a load of junk you can check, depending on how far you want to go.
Start with checking the head gasket, signs of failure are mayo on the dippy, rock hard rad top hose when running, steam out the exhaust and bubbles in the header tank.
Also check the oil level in the gearbox, and in both of the diffs.
Check the swivels on the front axle for oil leaks onto the wheels.
Poke around with a magnet on the chassis to see if its all steel and not clag.
Adjust the play on the steering box, adjust the brakes.
Have a good rout behind the dash to see if theres any frightening electrical cock ups, nearly every old motor I've seen has had bodges, some really scary ones with domestic twin and earth feeding the starter have been known.
Its worth getting the front steering tracked, with the price of tyres.
Cant think of a lot more right now, but there will be others along any minute with more things.
Good luck, and this is the place for info.

Put petrol in it... check oil and water... and drive it !!! Smile a lot and wait for the first thing to fall off it !!!!!!!!! pmsl
Seriously... drive it and enjoy it for a while before you pull it too bits... that helps keep your head above the water when you really have to mend the damn thing !!!

As above but i would change all fluids
Caus you can’t tell the last time they were done.

Check and grease all nipples
Buy a workshop manual and follow it.

EP90
Gearbox
Transferbox
Diffs (Front and Back)
Swivels balls (Front axle)
Steering box
Steering relay

Grease
UJ’s + prop shaft

Engine oil 20w40 (I think for a series 3 best check)
Engine

Breaks
DOT4

Clutch
DOT4

If I’ve missed some someone will pick up on it.

Buy? - Land Rover Manuals, Part Catalogue, workshop manual, download pdf files, Landroverweb.com Linking your Landy to the World! and the parts book is on the forum somewhere as a sticky.
Nice looking landy, as everyone will tell you, keep fluid levels up, watch for serious leaks and expect the chassis and bulkhead to need patching for the rust. Enjoy.

Roadkill77 said:

Congrat's on buying your first Landy!
I too have just bought my first one and am just stripping her down to put her back in order.
By rule of thumb the most important tool is a big hammer! lol

Click to expand...

And a hanky to cry in!! when you realise it needs more work than you thought.

Andy.

Grease points and joints to start! Make sure all are wroking tight and moving free. Check swivels for pitting/leaks. Rip off drums and check for wear and leaking cylinders. Now pop under and check props for movement, oil leaks on transfer/gearbox/axles etc.

One other thing you need to know with a Landy...is how to weld! Seriously! If you can't, look into classes or similar and get yourself a little gas mig - you will use it!

Good luck Misterfox! Looking forward to seeing some more photos when you have collected her. I am in the same boat as you, learning as I go. Expect bits to drop off, especially if it's not had much use! I also have one from 1972.

she looks good, but of course as you will soon learn, looks can hide a multitude of sins with an old landy, but god damn them we forgive them for leaving us in tears and near bankrupt
check your fluids and just get on and drive it is my advice, you'll soon learn every rattle and thud that she makes as normal and then you can start worrying about the other rattles and clunks that will soon appear at regular intervals
Be prepared for unusual steering and scary brakes if you're used to driving modern cars lol, the only skid marks an old landy will ever leave are in your pants
most importantly..................... enjoy , i'm having serious series withdrawl at the mo as mine is Sorned for some much needed tlc

Probably best start the credit card forms too - cus she's gonna cost you about twice as much as you paid for her each year to keep her running