BARN FIND! 68 Series IIA, Curious as to what im getting into...... - Land Rovers Only

Bushranger · 07-22-2009, 09:41 PM

A friend of mine has a tennant moving out of an old industrial building he owns. He asked me to stop by to help him with something, and being a Land Rover lover, I spotted this old series hidding in the back covered in dust the moment I walked in. The front clip is dissasembeled, the engine is out and mounted on a skid where it has sat for the past 10 years. The frame and body look excelent, as does the glass. The firewall has some surface rust, and the passenger floor board will need to be replaced but a new one was sitting on the floor. It is a 4 cyl. I am pretty certain the truck is all there, definately needs some love. Before I resurect this beautiful beast from certain death I am curious as to anyones insight on these trucks , I would love anyones knowledge as to what a truck in this condition might be worth. I had heard through the grapevine that new factory/army surplus crate engines were not that hard to come by and werent too bad(for a rover anyway)???? I have a plethora of seasoned beer drinking mechanics at my disposal, but have very little knowledge on a rover of this age. Thank you for your time.

Michael

pickuprover · 07-24-2009, 05:16 AM

Engine has been sitting for ten years, so a complete strip down and rebuild would be in order to renew the seals that will leak like a sieve (even more than the usual leaks on a series...). Did you spin the engine to see if it was free?
Tap the frame all the way along it. What looks like a good frame can actually be in poor condition. Listen for changes in the pitch of the ring when hit with a hammer.
Passenger floor board is nothing if you know how to weld, or have a friend that welds.
As for value, depends on the area and how motivated the seller is. If you find one of these mysterious crated Land Rovers, let me know.

antichrist · 07-24-2009, 09:58 AM

Pictures please.
Yes, you can get NOS engines from the UK. Places like PA Blanchard.
Of course you can get them from the usual suspects here in the US as well.

Bushranger · 07-27-2009, 09:52 AM

I will get some pics this week and see what you guys think. I greatly appreciate your time and knowledge.

DashfaceDisco · 08-03-2009, 10:59 AM

Well, the Series I have now was sitting in the woods for twelve years before I got it, and it works now. In my experience, you're going to be fixing the following: electricals, fuel system, brake system, cooling system, and an engine overhaul to boot

If that doesn't bother you - go for it!

Bushranger · 08-03-2009, 08:46 PM

electricals, fuel system, brake system, cooling system, and an engine overhaul to boot

If that doesn't bother you - go for it!

Electrical is my trade. Fuel, brake, and cooling dont worry me at all. I have no expereince re building an engine but have enough friends in the industry that im sure I can find an old timer somewhere who will get the job done right. Is a skilled engine builder going to have any issues with this Series engine? Im really curious as to the out the door cost of a crate engine. My biggest concern is availibility of parts, and or cost. I have a beautiful (not bragging but perhpas one of the nicest in the country) 1961 Scout 80 All Wheel Drive. It is the first year they were made and I love it but am bored and am thinking of possibly going to an all "Rover" family in my garage. The fact that someone has offered me more than I thinks its worth doesnt hurt either... I thought the Series might make a cool project and is pretty similiar. The only thing that worries me is availability of parts and or cost of them being rediculous. A death in the family has prevented me from getting some picks but I will post soon. I really appreciate all of your time and insight.

PS. The Series will make an excellent support rig formy Bushie when we enter the Paris/Dakar Rally!!!! I can dream cant I?

pickuprover · 08-04-2009, 05:25 AM

Series parts are readily available, and from what I have found, very cheap. (well compared to when anything needs to be ordered for my F-150) Any qualified engine re builder should not have a problem with rebuilding the engine. The tolerances are larger than most of them are used to working with, and well lets face it, the inside of an engine is the inside of an engine, and there is a whole lot less inside a 2.25 petrol.

Bushranger · 08-04-2009, 09:33 AM

I figured the engine rebuild would be an easy one, but with rovers Ive found it best to ask first and get out your check book later why you still have a bank acount....

pickuprover · 08-04-2009, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bushranger

I figured the engine rebuild would be an easy one, but with rovers Ive found it best to ask first and get out your check book later why you still have a bank acount....

You must be driving a Disco for too long....

Series trucks are basically big mecanix sets. If you have the green bible and a little mechanical knowledge, there is not much you cannot do by yourself. Parts are relatively cheap (the exhaust I put on last year was a grand total of $235 CAN including the front down pipe straight through to the tail pipe, including all the new hangers, however, there is no catalytic converter on a series so that helps lower the price.). The biggest drain is time. They require a lot of TLC and maintence if you want it running smoothly all the time. I have also found that mine ran better when she was my daily driver. If they sit too long, they get pissed and start to through parts at you, or take big leaks on your drive.

stolenheron · 08-04-2009, 06:21 PM

Pics!

DashfaceDisco · 08-04-2009, 08:35 PM

Of course, when I suggested engine overhaul, I was really just assuming you'd need that with the original British engine.

...Mine has a previously swapped in Chevy 250 out of an old Studebaker (yes, I know, gasp etc)... And frankly I just checked the oil, plugged a battery in, and started 'er up

I'm not big on American cars, but American engines are a-ok in my book

Bushranger · 08-04-2009, 11:01 PM

I have had quite a few vehicles over the years, but have never actually had to pay for a complete engine rebuild. I am curious as to someones idea of a rough estimate of the cost? My 61 Scout has 42k original miles on her and runs like a champ. I could leave her sit for 3 months and walk out to the garage and she will start up on the first crank. A true testament to the above mentioned comment about American motors, even ones that are 50 years old! I have never Owned an American car as a dailydriver, I prefer European, but there is something to be said about pure American muscle. If I do restore this Series, I will most likely remove the top and use her as an around town summer daily driver as I do my Scout, and she will see some occasional trail use. I would intend to keep the original engine, but that will depend on cost or rebuild vs cost of crate replacement. I will have pics of the Series on here within a week, in the mean time, here is one of my Scout...

XtremeMarine · 08-05-2009, 03:03 PM

An idea on cost. The guy who is regarded by almost all members unanimously in the FLRC for series trucks just sold an engine. Complete from head to oil pan, with all bolt on ancillaries including rebuilt fuel pump, new carburetor (weber), aftermarket header, and new starter, and new alternator.
The motor had a new cam, rebuilt (reground) crank, new seals, gaskets, and bearings. New pistons, and a machined head to get an 8.5:1 comp ratio.
He sold it for 1700.00 and still made a small profit to cover his labor.

pickuprover · 08-06-2009, 05:27 AM

My engine rebuilt cost me around $600 CAN. I had it rebored, new crank and pistons installed. I had it short blocked by the machinist, then did the rest myself. The head was good as it was done less than a year ago, so it was just bolt on all the parts that were taken off. Following the green bible, I had no issues other than one forgotten grub screw for the distributor that ended up having to take the oil filter housing and oil pan off on the coldest day of the winter in an apartment parking lot.

Bushranger · 08-07-2009, 01:55 AM

Awsome info for which I am really grateful. Pics comming soon!!!!