S3 Heater Cowling

I'm trying to get hold of a secondhand heater cowling for my 83 S3. It's a discontinued part MRC6248. It's the snail shell shaped housing that holds the fan motor and is bolted to the bulkhead beside the air intake. Anyone got one for sale please PM me. Thanks

Could try these guys. I think they can restor or fabricate new snail casings: http://www.landroverbulkhead.co.uk/sheet-metal.html

I might have one, can't remember whether I gave it to someone or not PM to remind me tomorrow and I'll have a rummage.

blue beasty said:

I might have one, can't remember whether I gave it to someone or not PM to remind me tomorrow and I'll have a rummage.

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Thanks BB.

Land Raver said:

Could try these guys. I think they can restor or fabricate new snail casings: http://www.landroverbulkhead.co.uk/sheet-metal.html

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Thanks I'll check it out.

Land Raver said:

Could try these guys. I think they can restor or fabricate new snail casings: http://www.landroverbulkhead.co.uk/sheet-metal.html

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They feature one on their website. I'll give them a call.

Land Raver said:

Could try these guys. I think they can restor or fabricate new snail casings: http://www.landroverbulkhead.co.uk/sheet-metal.html

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Good call LR. Spoke to the guy. Really nice bloke. Specialists in non available series parts, particularly new bulkheads. He's got an S3 himself which is why he got into it as a business. £120 plus VAT n posting is worth it. Crappy secondhand ones on eBay at starting bids £90-100. Cheers.

Glad it worked out. I've not used them myself but they come very well recommended on another Series Land Rover forum.

John S said:

Good call LR. Spoke to the guy. Really nice bloke. Specialists in non available series parts, particularly new bulkheads. He's got an S3 himself which is why he got into it as a business. £120 plus VAT n posting is worth it. Crappy secondhand ones on eBay at starting bids £90-100. Cheers.

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Kinell.....Best I redouble my efforts to find mine

blue beasty said:

Kinell.....Best I redouble my efforts to find mine

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If you've got one maybe interested.

John S said:

If you've got one maybe interested.

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I need to go to the workshop after work anyway, it's just a matter of remembering to look

I think over the next 10 years lots of those parts kicking around in sheds and garages will become 'worth something'.
I've seen some certain items more than double in price on eBay over the past 5 years. I got rid of a load of stuff at a Land Rover autojumble last year but there were some things I hung on to knowing prices are rising a bit.

A good point LR. There's a misconception that you can get anything for an S3 but I know of at least 4 parts that are now unobtainable from LR or approved suppliers (****epart). It's worse for S1&2 parts. If you've got stuff at the back of the garage or workshop don't chuck it to the dump. Don't matter about price it's the availability that's important. TBH most parts for a series landy are replicable if the drawings are available. Patents are the problem.

I have a mate that does up classic bikes and he was shocked the last time he had a browse at parts prices for his bikes. £20-30 quid parts are now a long way into the hundreds! TBH he probably caused this because he buys almost everything "just in case" lol

@John S found me Smiffs snail housing sans motor. Still got the wiring and resistor attached.

blue beasty said:

@John S found me Smiffs snail housing sans motor. Still got the wiring and resistor attached.

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Thanks and sorry not to respond sooner. I've sourced a new one which will also come with the all important mounting brackets. I'm gonna go with that having salvaged the fan and motor. It's turned into more of a job. I need to also fit a new mud shield to protect it from road crud otherwise it'll corrode again. I'd hold onto that part it's quite valuable and no longer obtainable as a spares. Thanks for looking it out. The new ones costing £100 including postage excluding the motor. Will give authentic upgrade.

Land Raver said:

Could try these guys. I think they can restor or fabricate new snail casings: http://www.landroverbulkhead.co.uk/sheet-metal.html

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LR thanks for the contact. I've ordered a new heater snail at a very competitive price. Very friendly chap. He owns an S3 himself so knows the vehicle. Now to fit new mud shields and then the heater snail. One disappointing and surprising thing about the mud shields is that they don't really protect the footwells. It would be possible to extend the shields so that they fix around the front floor bolts that hold the floor plate to the bulkhead. All it'd need is longer bolts at the bottom. No wonder bulkheads rot.

It wouldn't take too much more than a piece of glavanised sheet metal with a bend about 120 degrees that continues the mudshield beyond where it ends through to the floor plates. I'm surprised nobody has made some plastic / fiber liners like on modern cars. At least you can buy galvanised mudshields now though.

Best to leave a gap usung washers / rubber bushes between where the mudshield meets the footwell so leaves / mud doesn't collect.

Meant to mention your idea on the washers. Will do this tomorrow.

Got one side done today. Fitted no problem and the tap washer tip worked a treat. Can fit the new heater cowling now and onto the other mud shield next weekend. All painted and treated with underseal.