Restoration project - Good Mechanic for a Defender 90 - Portsmouth area

Hi all,

After years of waiting I have finally bought what I have always wanted - a
decent 4x4. I am new to this newsgroup.

my mission is to take my Defender 90 200tdi over to Poland for a complete
renovation. I have always wanted a defender, and after nearly loosing my
Ford Focus in the sea with my boat on the back, I thought it high time I
bought one.

I bought the car some two weeks ago. It is a 92 K plate with 103k on the
clock (if anyone can tell me what one of these should be worth, it would be
appreciated -both in current condition and also fully restored).

Having taken it to my local specialist, I was told that in order to put the
car through its MOT (not due in a few months), it will cost over 800 plus
VAT (not great considering it was sold to me as being mechanically/chassis
sound). MOT work includes a new 1/4 chassis for the rear, welding on the
bulkhead outriggers, bearings on the rear, a few lights (minor) and new
bushes for the radius arms.

However, I have decided that the money would be better spent (long term)
purchasing all of the parts that are required here in England (bar the
chassis section which will not be necessary) and taking the car over to
Poland to have not only the mechanics of the car sorted, but also to have
have a complete re-trim and bare body re-spray (and a real adventure on the
way!). The job will be little short of a nuts and bolts rebuild (as labour
costs mean that this is more viable than having new parts bought and welded
on) with most parts being removed, refurbished and replaced. There really
are too many tasks to list! I have already sourced a bodyshop, mechanic and
car trim specialist in Poznan, Poland to undertake the work. The whole job
is scheduled to take one month at a cost of 1,000-1,200..

Prior to making the trip, I want a mechanic to check all the levels on the
gearbox oil, engine oil, lubrication on the wheels, put some new hubcaps on
etc etc - just to ensure that it will actually get to Poland. There is also
an oil leak on the engine which I think needs to be chacked prior to
departure. I live in Lee on the solent. Ideally was looking for someone to
do this privately.

Anyone with any thoughts, feedback or advice would be much appreciated.

Beest regards

Antony

"Antony Douglass" wrote
> After years of waiting I have finally bought what I have always wanted - a
> decent 4x4. I am new to this newsgroup.
>
> my mission is to take my Defender 90 200tdi over to Poland for a complete
> renovation. I have always wanted a defender, and after nearly loosing my
> Ford Focus in the sea with my boat on the back, I thought it high time I
> bought one.
>
> I bought the car some two weeks ago. It is a 92 K plate with 103k on the
> clock (if anyone can tell me what one of these should be worth, it would
> be appreciated -both in current condition and also fully restored).
>
> Having taken it to my local specialist, I was told that in order to put
> the car through its MOT (not due in a few months), it will cost over 800
> plus VAT (not great considering it was sold to me as being
> mechanically/chassis sound). MOT work includes a new 1/4 chassis for the
> rear, welding on the bulkhead outriggers, bearings on the rear, a few
> lights (minor) and new bushes for the radius arms.
>
> However, I have decided that the money would be better spent (long term)
> purchasing all of the parts that are required here in England (bar the
> chassis section which will not be necessary) and taking the car over to
> Poland to have not only the mechanics of the car sorted, but also to have
> have a complete re-trim and bare body re-spray (and a real adventure on
> the way!). The job will be little short of a nuts and bolts rebuild (as
> labour costs mean that this is more viable than having new parts bought
> and welded on) with most parts being removed, refurbished and replaced.
> There really are too many tasks to list! I have already sourced a
> bodyshop, mechanic and car trim specialist in Poznan, Poland to undertake
> the work. The whole job is scheduled to take one month at a cost of
> 1,000-1,200..
>
> Prior to making the trip, I want a mechanic to check all the levels on the
> gearbox oil, engine oil, lubrication on the wheels, put some new hubcaps
> on etc etc - just to ensure that it will actually get to Poland. There is
> also an oil leak on the engine which I think needs to be chacked prior to
> departure. I live in Lee on the solent. Ideally was looking for someone to
> do this privately.
>
> Anyone with any thoughts, feedback or advice would be much appreciated.
>

That sounds an interesting project, do keep us informed on progress etc.
perhaps some photos?

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
17mls W. of London.UK

I plan to drive over on July 26-28th, flying back (without landrover of
course). I will then go back over on 20th August to pick it up.

I have looked into ferry crossings and it looks like the early bird (Dover
to Calais) will be best, arriving in Calais at 5am. This will give me all
day to get across France, Belgium, the Netherlands and the whole of Germany.

Needless to say I am going to get a decent level of AA European cover in
case I break down in Germany.

I have a number of photos of the car as it stands at present. I have
attached 2 external photos.

I have also attached two photos of areas of 'leak' concern I have under.
Perhaps somebody could give me some input / advice here? I am a little
concerned, as the car is not too keen changing between first and second
gear. If the change is not made at the right power level, I get a bit of a
crunch. Some have said that this is pretty standard with a syncromesh? but
being new to it all - I am not too sure :-/

Any ideas?

Hoping its not going to be a new gearbox job!

(Will post photo's separately as I have to compress them first - don't want
to rub anyone up the wrong way by posting 3mb of pictures)

"Antony Douglass" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi all,
>
> After years of waiting I have finally bought what I have always wanted - a
> decent 4x4. I am new to this newsgroup.
>
> my mission is to take my Defender 90 200tdi over to Poland for a complete
> renovation. I have always wanted a defender, and after nearly loosing my
> Ford Focus in the sea with my boat on the back, I thought it high time I
> bought one.
>
> I bought the car some two weeks ago. It is a 92 K plate with 103k on the
> clock (if anyone can tell me what one of these should be worth, it would
> be appreciated -both in current condition and also fully restored).
>
> Having taken it to my local specialist, I was told that in order to put
> the car through its MOT (not due in a few months), it will cost over 800
> plus VAT (not great considering it was sold to me as being
> mechanically/chassis sound). MOT work includes a new 1/4 chassis for the
> rear, welding on the bulkhead outriggers, bearings on the rear, a few
> lights (minor) and new bushes for the radius arms.
>
> However, I have decided that the money would be better spent (long term)
> purchasing all of the parts that are required here in England (bar the
> chassis section which will not be necessary) and taking the car over to
> Poland to have not only the mechanics of the car sorted, but also to have
> have a complete re-trim and bare body re-spray (and a real adventure on
> the way!). The job will be little short of a nuts and bolts rebuild (as
> labour costs mean that this is more viable than having new parts bought
> and welded on) with most parts being removed, refurbished and replaced.
> There really are too many tasks to list! I have already sourced a
> bodyshop, mechanic and car trim specialist in Poznan, Poland to undertake
> the work. The whole job is scheduled to take one month at a cost of
> 1,000-1,200..
>
> Prior to making the trip, I want a mechanic to check all the levels on the
> gearbox oil, engine oil, lubrication on the wheels, put some new hubcaps
> on etc etc - just to ensure that it will actually get to Poland. There is
> also an oil leak on the engine which I think needs to be chacked prior to
> departure. I live in Lee on the solent. Ideally was looking for someone to
> do this privately.
>
> Anyone with any thoughts, feedback or advice would be much appreciated.
>
> Beest regards
>
> Antony
>

On Sat, 17 Jun 2006 18:52:17 GMT, "Antony Douglass"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>(Will post photo's separately as I have to compress them first - don't want
>to rub anyone up the wrong way by posting 3mb of pictures)

There aint no point posting the pictures directly to the newsgroup. I
imagine that most providers will block the big messages on this group
(being that its not a binary one), and you will annoy pretty much
everybody who does recieve it (since its not a binary group...)

Just stick them on some webspace and link to them.

ok, will do...

Such a lot to learn!

"Tom Woods" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Sat, 17 Jun 2006 18:52:17 GMT, "Antony Douglass"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>(Will post photo's separately as I have to compress them first - don't
>>want
>>to rub anyone up the wrong way by posting 3mb of pictures)
>
> There aint no point posting the pictures directly to the newsgroup. I
> imagine that most providers will block the big messages on this group
> (being that its not a binary one), and you will annoy pretty much
> everybody who does recieve it (since its not a binary group...)
>
> Just stick them on some webspace and link to them.