rookie needs help understanding what hes got ?

Ok so a quick run through....

Just over a year ago I was given a landy series 3 by a guy whos had it in his yard for at least 2 years. he knew very little about it as he had been given it by the guy who previously owned the house.

Me being completely new to all this asked a "friend" to help, after 6 months away working i returned to find said "friend" had torn out all the instruments on the dash and not labelled the remaining wires which do not seem to correspond to the colours in any of the wiring diagrams i have. soon after i fell pretty ill and am just recovering to the point that im wondering what to do with the beast that now sits outside my window gathering moss.

First off how can i work out what engine is in her? (ive checked the details on the plate and know for sure its a series 3 109, plus i think the additional gear stick is for the overdrive) other than that i am at a loss where else to look to find out more.
Secondly for those with experience of restorations: is it agood idea for a complete novice with minimal engineering skills, tools or resources to take on a project like this or am i better off finding something a little less ambitious for my first venture into the ways of the Landy?

An epic post i know but any advice would be gratefully appreciated.

And that was the readers digest version

alright chief,
i myself are in the middle of rebuilding my first project ever(ser 3,109 station wagon),fotunately i do have a mechanical background,but don't be put off,as long as you are keen and enthusiastic enough you will get through it and you will soon aquire the tools as you dont really need that many,good luck.

wow, what a challenge, sounds great, where are you based.
1st off, determine whether its petrol or diesel. then take it from there but you will get plenty of help on here. why in christs name did you "now ex friend"(i presume) rip out the dash.

sounds like fun if your near by im up for given you a hand i have a little hammer middle of the road hammer and a great big f**k off hammer oh and a welder to

wtf you got a little hammer for

the little one is very good for fixing computer

i got a 14lb sledge for that

tryed that first time cost 400 pound put right

It is not high tech. if you're reasonably handy with tools you can get by. Get a workshop manual if you can, will be helpful.

I would suggest that you start with engine, transmission, steering, brakes and suspension in that order.

It would be adviseable not to remove everything to pieces as you'll end up with a basket case and a non runner is a depressing thing.

Try to fire up the engine without stripping it down, then you can jack up wheels and check g/box. A pity about the dash but all is not lost. now you have the rare ? opprtunity of tracing the wiring and connecting up the essentials.

Take it stage by stage and keep lots of notes when you remove things, if possible take photos.

If you're stuck you can ask and most of the chaps in the forum would have done it before and would help with advice.

Good luck

yella disco said:

i got a 14lb sledge for that

Click to expand...

That IS a little hammer

You're right though, Yella: once we know if it's petrol or diesel we can start with the serious advice (ahem ).


Hope it's not a red one

Hmm,

So i know its Diesel and has an overdrive so just a matter of how big the engine is.
As for his reason for trashing the dash ? I havent got a clue. He told me it needed to be done but never gave me a reason. then when i pointed out it may have been worth at least labelling wires as they came of the instruments he admitted "Im more an engineer Ive never been that good with electrics..."
At that point i let loose a few choice words and ive not heard from him since
Been trying to trace wires all morning but i swear they keep changing colour !

12v or 24v?

Mav, I have uploaded a JPEG colour wiring diagram for a SIII petrol. Whilst I'm sure there will be a few differences you find that at least some of the wire colours correspond. Diagram can be found here:

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=4800&size=big

OK thanks for all the help so far.

been back out to look with Ashoofacks diagram and im not sure how different a diesel set up would be but struggled to see many corresponding colours. I am begining to think someone may have replaced some of the wiring in the past. But no fear i will struggle on.

AS for Gareths question this is where my ignorance starts to shine through, am i looking for Volts, Valves or something entirely different and where would i look ?

Well, a 24v jobbie has got 2 batteries (usually between the front seats), and an alternator the size of a dustbin. Plus all the bulbs will have 24v written on 'em (although I appreciate it's often hard to read what's written on bulbs). That's the easiest way to tell.

Gareth

A good place to start may be the lights. See what clolour the wires are to the lights then trace these back to the inst panel. When doing this do a continuity check on each cable then when you have confirmed a cable conect it to its releveant switch. Time consuming but least you'll be sure they're correct. There may be an easier way and I'm sure someone'll pipe up soon.

might be a good time to consider installing a new wiring harness. I am not sure about there in England, but here in Canada the salt makes the wires brittle after the years of driving and makes for a lot of problems. Was just thinking that since he basically has to trace every wire that it might not be a lot more work to run a whole new harness. Then all the wire colours will match and he will know what goes where..

Well it looks to be a 12V set up.

And after some digging around ive found a couple of conectors with different colours on opposing sides so starting to suspect that someones been fiddling there before.

Starting to think about either ripping it all out and starting from scratch as suggested. Or selling it on and starting with a slightly less ambitiousproject.

I wouldn't give up so easily. After all it was created by man and so it should be repairable.

Take heart.

I would suggest you start up the engine first, it will be encouraging then. A non runner is a depressing prospect.

Try to see if the engine is free and not seized solid, you may try turning it over with a starting handle. then if it is free all the electrics you need are for the heaters and to crank, being a diesel thereafter you don't need a battery or wiring harness.

Is it fitted with a Dynamo or Alternator ?

It's not soo bad, and finding a good series land Rover is difficult.

better the known devil !

Cheers and good luck.

I couldnt agree more on how depressing a non runner is.

Im not sure if i was clear when i said what my "friend" did, but all that i have in front of the drivers seat is a steering wheel and wires....LOTS of wires throw in a few cob webs and a spot of rust and thats what i have.

Staring it would i suppose mean touching wires together till i find two that spark the ignition? (ive given this a shot to little avail and figured after some years of little or no running the battery is probably as usefull as a chocolate teapoy) and from what ive researched hand cranking a diesel isnt much of an option either.