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Disco96JSWB
10-14-2010, 07:40 PM
The winter project is to take the 1951 LHD chassis that we bought from Rob Kohler and build it with the 1966 engine/gearbox/axles/steering we bought on Labor Day. Whether it can be done that fast is not clear.

The objective is not a high-quality job like Neil's or Ken's or Ivar's or Bill's machines (we have some nice Rovers in the club, don't we?), but just something that can make it through the woods. We sold the 1953 to raise some cash and make room for this, so we are down to one old Rover.

Much of it is simple bolt-together stuff. The challenges are to: make the through-the-floor (mechanical) clutch pedal work with the Series IIA 'box (simple for RHD, not so simple for LHD); convert to the IIA steering box; use the later rear axle with the early narrow springs.

Here's what we are starting with:

- Jeremy and Jake

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mBq1LI8WcM4/SuZLMk-RkhI/AAAAAAAAARI/fawTWZkjYow/s400/DSC01758.JPG
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mBq1LI8WcM4/SuZMB9Bn6jI/AAAAAAAAASA/C0TfiB12zoo/s400/DSC02301.JPG

Frank84
10-16-2010, 10:36 AM
Sounds like a fun project!

Frank84
10-16-2010, 10:36 AM
Sounds like a fun project!

Disco96JSWB
10-24-2010, 09:31 PM
Over the past couple of years the rear cross member has been straightened, one rusty spot in the chassis under the front bumper was cut out and welded, and it was painted with POR 15.

The 88" donor has been disassembled. It's time to begin to put it together.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mBq1LI8WcM4/TMTaeiN_06I/AAAAAAAABco/ac3X137WdQY/s800/DSC03082.JPG
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mBq1LI8WcM4/TMTad9cS-SI/AAAAAAAABb4/Adqks1kSufA/s800/DSC03087.JPG
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mBq1LI8WcM4/TMTadQSEkHI/AAAAAAAABb0/RzFRh7vF9gA/s800/DSC03083.JPG
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mBq1LI8WcM4/TMTag3sDvNI/AAAAAAAABcM/3nrXYQMD35U/s800/DSC03085.JPG

Disco96JSWB
12-13-2010, 06:33 PM
Now a rolling chassis.
Front axle from Series IIA went right on with new springs.
Rear axle from same truck required cutting spring mounts down for 1.75" springs. Note that rusty rear truss was cut off too for a more 'period correct' look.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mBq1LI8WcM4/TQacZCXrekI/AAAAAAAABiI/e2y4fL1yfQI/s640/DSC03225.JPGhttp://lh6.ggpht.com/_mBq1LI8WcM4/TQacZ1rss7I/AAAAAAAABiQ/CglHyJnUbcI/s640/DSC03227.JPGhttp://lh5.ggpht.com/_mBq1LI8WcM4/TQVUGoLZ2DI/AAAAAAAABhA/FxlT0jnvNgI/s640/DSC03217.JPGhttp://lh6.ggpht.com/_mBq1LI8WcM4/TQVUFDycmWI/AAAAAAAABgs/nk0WNSLq3i4/s640/DSC03212.JPG

scatterling
12-13-2010, 07:38 PM
progress is good....now to just get the other 3000 things done by spring!

Rob P
12-13-2010, 10:50 PM
Looking good. I like the axle mod for the U-bolts. They look good.

DiscoSux
12-19-2010, 12:06 PM
Great pictures! Thanks for sharing. Will we continue to be updated?

Disco96JSWB
12-22-2010, 10:45 PM
The realization is gradually sinking in that this is going to take more time than I might have originally thought.

The two big (current) issues are installing the Series IIA steering box and the mechanical clutch linkage.


http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mBq1LI8WcM4/TRKaAVV-3dI/AAAAAAAABjY/U1LfmNAZK6E/s640/DSC_0034.JPGhttp://lh3.ggpht.com/_mBq1LI8WcM4/TRKaBE54wYI/AAAAAAAABjk/8fyosVjrVPQ/s640/DSC_0043.JPG

Disco96JSWB
12-28-2011, 09:46 PM
Last winter I put together a Series IIA gearbox with the Series 1 LHD mechanical clutch linkage. I ended up having to replace the layshaft of a Suffix 'C' gearbox with an earlier one, and then install a clutch release housing from a Series 1 gearbox I bought. Along the way I learned that the early layshaft didn't work for a Suffix 'D' gearbox, and I mistakenly also got to see the inside of a Series III gearbox.

I then placed the combined engine/gearbox unit on the chassis, and the gearbox and engine mounts are completely different (1951 versus 1966). At that point, I 'moth-balled' the project, but it's now a month or two from being back in the workshop. After talking to a couple of people (including the club 'sage', Tom Bache), the consensus is that it would be easier, cheaper and better to modify the 80" chassis to accept the 1966 engine/transmission mounts than to scrounge up all the parts for engine and gearbox mounts for an 80" Rover (which are priced as if they're made of unobtainium).

Therefore, if anyone has a derelict Series IIA chassis I'd like to look at it (to take pictures and measurements). I might even eventually like to cut the engine mounts off a 'dead' chassis.

siiirhd88
12-29-2011, 09:18 PM
I have a cut up chassis that still has the engine mount brackets attached. They are yours for the asking. I don't know if the the chassis sections are intact enought to take measurments from, but I can measure the galvy SIII 88 chassis that is waiting rebody.

Bob

Rob P
12-29-2011, 11:11 PM
Oh to have time, and space, and money enough to play with Rover bits. One day I will, until then I will live vicariously through the lot of you.

Disco96JSWB
12-30-2011, 02:27 PM
I have a cut up chassis that still has the engine mount brackets attached. They are yours for the asking. I don't know if the the chassis sections are intact enought to take measurments from, but I can measure the galvy SIII 88 chassis that is waiting rebody.

Bob,
That sounds perfect. I bet if I spent 20-30 minutes with a camera and a tape measurer I'd be all set. I'd bring a cutting wheel to take the engine mounts if you are sure you'd sell them.

It's kind of embarassing since I had my rusted-out parts chassis, but at that point I was committed to using 80" parts in order to avoid cutting and welding later parts to it. By now, that 'purist' approach seems quaint and impractical.

I'm in West Chester and like that area west of the Susquehana (and the drive out there from here on Rte 372), so whenever it would be convenient for you I will come over. Thanks!

Jeremy

Disco96JSWB
12-30-2011, 02:55 PM
Oh to have time, and space, and money enough to play with Rover bits. One day I will, until then I will live vicariously through the lot of you.

The pile of parts that was an 80" 1951 Land-Rover cost only probably 2-3 times its scrap value, and was the same price as the non-running, rusted-out 1966 parts truck. The only other 'major' expenditure has been for a small box of Whitworth fasteners from England that'll avoid that 'hardware store' look that happens when nuts and bolts are new, shiny and non-original, although I really thought about it before I pulled the trigger.

This is a low-buck project, and it's going to look every bit of 60+ years old when it's done. I wish I had more time to spend on it . . .

mlp141
12-30-2011, 05:06 PM
Oh to have time, and space, and money enough to play with Rover bits. One day I will, until then I will live vicariously through the lot of you.

Hell -- I'd be happy to have just one of those three. Time is the most attainable, but without money to buy stuff, and room to work on it when it gets there ... ;)

siiirhd88
12-30-2011, 10:33 PM
Hi Jeremy,

No cost for the mounts, as the chassis sections were going to the scrapper anyway. I've cutting wheels and a torch, so you can takes as much chassis as you need. I'll PM directions and set up a date for the butchery. We are currently in NC but will be home on Sunday the 1st. Perhaps the following weekend? We're about 1/2 hour from the Buck, across and along the river.

Bob



Bob,
That sounds perfect. I bet if I spent 20-30 minutes with a camera and a tape measurer I'd be all set. I'd bring a cutting wheel to take the engine mounts if you are sure you'd sell them.

It's kind of embarassing since I had my rusted-out parts chassis, but at that point I was committed to using 80" parts in order to avoid cutting and welding later parts to it. By now, that 'purist' approach seems quaint and impractical.

I'm in West Chester and like that area west of the Susquehana (and the drive out there from here on Rte 372), so whenever it would be convenient for you I will come over. Thanks!

Jeremy

Disco96JSWB
05-14-2012, 07:48 PM
Well, this is kind of like the opposite of Frank's posts. I keep working and, unlike Frank, I make no real progress.
I thought I'd figured out that the Series IIA gearbox mounts would work in the 80" chassis, but I was wrong.
I put the body together enough to check the height of the installed gearbox.
I'd tried to find an alternative, but I'm going to have to get my hands on Series 1 gearbox brackets.

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Frank84
05-15-2012, 07:17 AM
Are the mounts something that could be modified? Extended/cut down/etc? I would think Series I gearbox mounts wouldn't be the easiest thing to find.

parovertech
05-15-2012, 08:43 AM
If your still trying to figure out these mounts, just take some measurements and draw them up, i will cut them out on my plasma table.

Disco96JSWB
05-15-2012, 09:22 AM
After some research, I agree that it would be better to modify the IIA gearbox mounts. As tough as it could be to find the 80" brackets, the rubber 'donuts' used are apparently difficult to find and expensive.

Based on using a degree-finder on a 109" ex-MOD, the engine should sit parallel to the plane of the front cross member. I had hoped to have the rear gearbox mounts to serve as a 'frame of reference' in setting the height of the engine mounts (with the gearbox end already at the correct height). Instead, I guess I'll assemble the body and then move the engine/transmission around to get the position right. More of a 'hot rod' approach and less scientific. It would be nice if that power train were lighter . . .

These are the IIA brackets and rubber mounts sitting on the 80" chassis.

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Frank84
05-16-2012, 07:36 AM
A plasma table sounds like a cool toy! I think I might need one...

Jeremy - I'm not sure this would be any more scientific, but it is my plan for the 300 tdi install. I'm going to set the height of my engine mounts by centering the fan in the fan shroud.

Disco96JSWB
05-20-2012, 01:50 PM
Thanks to Frank and John for input. It took a while, but I cut the original mounts off the chassis, cut the IIA mounts off the chassis 'chunks' from Bob, did a lot of trimming, measuring, etc., and welded it up. I checked the position with an angle finder and by installing the bulkhead and floors. The radiator panel ('breakfast') changed a lot between 1951 and 1966, and even the PTO hole was different (1/2" larger).

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Frank84
05-20-2012, 09:50 PM
Looking good Jeremy!

Disco96JSWB
12-08-2013, 06:36 PM
This thread started as a 2010 winter project. In summary, the idea was to take a pile of parts (chassis and body of a 1951 USA-spec 80") and combine it with engine, gearbox, axles and steering from a 1966 Series IIA 88".

The Series IIA axles are under the chassis and the engine/gearbox are installed (although the mechanical clutch linkage isn't quite complete and the rear gearbox mounts are also almost done).

For the steering I considered the LHD IIA steering box, then a P38 power steering conversion, then a RHD SIII box. After looking at all the 'angles', I've come all the way around to deciding the use the original 80" steering box for now.

The best thing I did was to buy a complete 'kit' of all the original (they're mostly Whitworth) fasteners from the UK. (Installing heat in the garage was a good idea too.)

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03springer
12-12-2013, 10:08 AM
Taking a little bit longer than you first wanted it to. I wish I had a project like this. But would make it look like new! Good luck.

Frank84
12-14-2013, 06:37 PM
Leaving the dent in the wing as is or have plans for a repair?

I love the simplicity of that steering. I think it was a good choice to stick with that right now.

Disco96JSWB
01-05-2015, 08:08 PM
Trying to get the 80" project back on track.
Played around with the driveshafts and determined that I need a shop press.
Hung the shocks on the mounts.
The front bottom mount is for a IIA/III from Rovertym and like everything else is different from an 80".
For a while I thought I'd adapt the 80" to use later shocks but decided it'll be easier to leave it original so the lower spring plates need to be changed.

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Frank84
01-11-2015, 02:32 PM
Its coming along...slowly. Any progress these past few days?

Tom109
01-14-2015, 02:29 PM
... and determined that I need a shop press.

Me too!

Have you looked at any? I'm thinking the 20ton, orange, floor version at Harbor freight...

galen211
01-14-2015, 03:13 PM
This is the one I have. Can't believe how many things I have used it for since getting it.

http://www.harborfreight.com/20-ton-shop-press-32879.html

Tom109
01-14-2015, 03:20 PM
Galen - I'm looking at the same one (they used to be orange). I have a whole bunch of stuff backed-up, that I could finish off with it...

galen211
01-14-2015, 04:54 PM
Galen - I'm looking at the same one (they used to be orange). I have a whole bunch of stuff backed-up, that I could finish off with it...

I bought mine mid-summer and already I have rebuilt the R380, rebuilt 3 driveshafts and pressed new bushings in my panhard rod. I don't know what I did before this!

Disco96JSWB
02-11-2015, 09:34 PM
I got the Harbor Freight 20-ton press and started putting the driveshafts back together. Works great.

Also started on the early t-case I'd bought from Neil last year. I was going to use the gears in my later t-case. But the early one is in great shape so decided to use it complete instead. Looks dirty but most of that was old undercoating that scraped off easily. Gearbox is next project.

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