Hi there!
I decided to start a thread to track the progress of my new project. The guy i bought it from said it has a 1964 body and a 1965 frame... So I've just been going with 1964 series IIa 109

I found it only an hour away from my place just past Nelson, B.C. from an older guy who had found it in a field in around 1983. He got it running and drove it to his place and started to restore it. Due to health issues in his family he had to put it up for sale. Picking it up was definitely bittersweet. The amount of research, time, work, and care that he had put into it was admiring and i genuinely felt bad taking away almost 40 years of ones mans work in the back of my truck and trailer. I assured him that it was going to a good home and promised him a ride when it was completed

I purchased it for only $2500 and it came with a TON of extra parts: Gauges that had already been sent away to england to be rebuilt, Capstan winch, safari roof and vents, extra transmission, front and rear differentials, carbs, intake, 12 rims, lights, engine parts, body parts like hoods, grilles, and fenders, and much more! To me it was the find of a lifetime that gearheads like me only dream of!

Please, anyone that has built a Series Land Rover and can offer any advice from their build, let me know! And I'd love to help anyone else that I can as well!

Bringing it home!
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Finally got the engine to fire tonight which is a huge relief! First of all, we quickly discovered that there was no spark at all. We were unaware that the distributor had been taken apart and after CAREFUL inspection we found that a very small and thin plastic washer was missing causing a short. After replacing that, we discovered that the spark plug wires were in reverse firing order. After fixing that (and a dump of gas in the carb) the engine fired!

I am hoping that this is all I will have to do to the engine for now other than cosmetics like painting and replacing hoses etc. with plans to rebuild the engine later on.

The only thing I am considering/concerned about right now is hardened valves and seats. I've heard that some people dont bother with it running unleaded gas and they dont have problems. Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with that?

Here are some pictures of the tear down so far. From bringing it home Oct. 10/2013 to today (Nov. 20/2013)

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in... looking forward to progression. that chassis appears to be in great shape.

 

Ya it had been painted about 30 years ago along with the shocks replaced and springs recurved. But it had been sitting outside in the weather for quite a while so I have found a few holes and one outrigger that needs to be replaced but other than that its a lot better than it could have been!

 

Looks to be in great shape! Check out the guys on Guns and Rovers. There are many who have restored Series rigs over there. I have a 1968 109 and a 1967 88. I drive the 109 and am currently restoring the 88. Be glad your bulkhead is in good condition, which it looks like. That is the foundation of these builds.

 

Quick question - i see 2 straps around rear axle and wonder if these are factory and if missing should i replace ?

I have a 1966 109 ser11 since last weekends ( Tipperary Ireland) , and engine didnt make it home heated , now rad bubling and oil is emulsified , v8 3.9 Range rover engine had been fitted .
I see the remains of these straps on mine as i rust treat the chassis.Wondering if they make the ride smoother , im not expecting rough off road in the future .
Your tear down is so helpfull over schematics to see how the parts all fit.

Adrian