AW: SER1 The start of a new rebuild project

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Hello Matthew,

Please look at my answer to Diana.

The truck hasn't moved since 1968 I was told, so I am happy the crank shaft
turns....

The "before" will be documented with a lot of pictures. I had intended to do
so already when I did the SIIA but this was at the dawn of the digital
camera age, so it got a bit lost. Eventually I would like to build my own
homepage and make these pictures accessible to everyone. Right now my pilot
project for this is the refurbishment of an overdrive unit.

I fully agree to the mental approach you are referring to. I did the SIIA
over a period of three years, driving the vehicle in summer and working on
it in winter. This was however in Portugal and winters there are very mild
compared to german standards.

With the SI the target is to have the chassis on its wheels until end of
next summer and do the engine and gearbox and possibly the bulkhead during
the following winter. A rolling chassis should be the target for summer
2006.

I know it sounds a long time away, but unfortunately I belong to the working
community and fortunately have three children who also merit some of my
attention. An essential milestone will be the purchase of parts in England.
To minimize shipping costs I could go over once a year, so requirements need
to be well planned, or do as few mail orders as possible.

Regards, Ulrico

-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
Von: series1-host@xxxxxxxxx.xxx [mailto:series1-host@xxxxxxxxx.xxx] Im
Auftrag von Matthew Clark
Gesendet: Samstag, 13. November 2004 23:02
An: series1@xxxxxxxxx.xxx
Betreff: Re: SER1 The start of a new rebuild project

Ulrico-

I agree with Diana.  Drive the truck around for awhile and inventory all the
issues.  Make a list of needed parts and start finding them before you take
things apart.  Half the battle (or more) is getting the parts.  Having them
at hand when you begin to pull it apart will ensure a quicker rebuild.
Obviously, some parts 
needing replacement won't be apparent until apart, but you can see the
benefit.   
Also, take the time to document the "before."  Things like electrical runs,
brake pipes, and other subtlies documented well will help ensure you put it
back either like it was or better than it was.  All the pictures I took of
my 107SW project were very helpful.  The only problem I had was not enough
pictures.  I also organized all the parts in boxes and small parts in zip
lock baggies labeled with where it came from and what it was or what it was
attached to or how many were in the bag or box.  Clearly, you already have
the insight to a rebuild.  These ideas might be redundant.  

The other thing alot of people don't discuss when they discuss a rebuild is
the mental approach to the whole project.  I found it was more fullfilling
to attack systems or parts of the truck one at a time.  Some things can be
mulit-tasked like the engine at the machinest and the transmission apart on
your bench.  And sometimes, part availablity slows one system down, but
keeping focus on one system helped me out and kept me feeling less like I
had a huge undertaking in my garage...to me, less overwhelming.  The other
thing I did towards the end of my project was to schedule a specific day
each week to work on the restoration.  
That ensured I had time to work on it.  If I had more time in the week to
work on it, I would.  This also helped out with my wife so she knew when I'd
be out in the garage and buried in Land Rovers.

Just my 2 cents worth, but might be helpful.

Matthew Clark
Seattle, WA
1957 107 SW
1993 SWB Range Rover

---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: "Diana Alan" <dianaa@xxxxxxxx.xxx.xx>
Reply-To: series1@xxxxxxxxx.xxx
Date:  Sun, 14 Nov 2004 08:01:23 +1100

>Goten tag Ulrico
>
>I'm going through the same process but I guess a lot further ahead.
>Unfortunately when I started my project she had the gearbox out, no 
>brakes and a 2 1/4 litre motor.  I wanted to go back to specification 
>so the 2 1/4 had to go.
>
>What I would do if I were you is drive around your project as much as you
>can before you start.   Particularly put the gearbox under load.  You'll
>then know what the engine, gearbox and running gear are like.  Write 
>down a list and then take the vehicle apart.
>
>A stripped down chassis is a good place to start, repair or replace the 
>rot and repaint the whole chassis (some people have them galvanised 
>then repainted).  Working back up the list as you suggested, running gear
first.
>I think the most important items are the brakes, it's annoying if you 
>can't start but deadly if you can't stop.  If the motor runs O.K and 
>the gearbox is not too noisy or jumping out of gears etc. leave them 
>alone.  A new wiring harness is a good idea.  Build up the car just 
>like it came off the assembly line.
>
>(Don't bid on eBay against me and I'll be happy and I won't bid against 
>you then you'll be happy.)
>
>G'day
>Diana
>51 80"
>84 Range Rover (4.6L) Hi Line
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Ulrico Becker" <ulrico.becker@xxxxxx.xx>
>To: <series1@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
>Sent: Sunday, November 14, 2004 1:44 AM
>Subject: SER1 The start of a new rebuild project
>
>
>Hello,
>
>I am new to this mailing list and am seeking advice on rebuilding a SI 
>80".  I currently live in Germany, am 45 years old and have been 
>involved with Land Rovers since 1987, when I bought my first one in 
>England, living in Sheffield at the time. I do own 5 Land Rovers:
>Defender 110, SIII 88, SIIA 88, SII 88 and now this 1953 SI with a 2L 
>engine. The SIIA has been a rebuild from scratch taking everything 
>apart but the differentials.
>
>I have been looking for a SI 80" for many years and have finally found 
>and bought it two days ago!
>
>Now it is time to make an assessment and decide how to start the 
>rebuild. The chassis seems good. One dumb iron got twisted a little bit 
>but can easily be replaced. Closer inspection will show what to do with 
>the rear cross member. Replacements seem available as I have been told.
>
>The bulk head has some rot in the lower parts of the a-posts. This is 
>also not critical. The horizontal section under the windscreen seems in 
>good condition. The vehicle is complete including all instruments and 
>apparently went out of use in 1968. Since then it stood in a garage of 
>a building company.
>
>Now, where should I start? And what is most critical for replacement 
>parts?
>
>My original idea is to take off all body components and do the axles 
>first. Then, when the chassis is done set in on the axles again and 
>tackle gearbox and engine. Only then start the bulkhead and the other 
>body parts.
>
>Should the engine be too bad I will check whether a 2.25 will fit 
>together with a SII or SIII g'box as I have spare units of these.
>
>I am thankful for any advice of people who have restored a SI 80" as to 
>the specil points to look for. The two links below lead to pictures of 
>the vehicle
>
>http://imagehost.biz/ims/pic.php?u=36470tWtD&i=85853&c=.gif
>
>http://imagehost.biz/ims/pic.php?u=36470tWtD&i=85852&c=.gif
>
>
>
>Ulrico
>
>
>To change subscription see www.landrover.net/series1/mail
>
>
>
>
>To change subscription see www.landrover.net/series1/mail
>
>

--
Matthew J. Clark
StraightEIGHT films
mjc@xxxx.xx
206.200.3621 cell
206.932.4610 office
1.800.489.9868
--

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