Project: Wilks

[01001010]

Work continued today with cleaning and installing the push rods. After cranking it a few times it just wouldnt go...so I decided to remove the head and see just what was going on in there.

I found the following...

• Several of the head bolts were way under-spec and came off quite easy
• The fowardmost tappet assembly is damaged
  
  
  
• The block desperately needs a flush
• The distributor pump is loose

On the plus side,

The cylinder walls look fantastic and the head is in great shape.

Since I'm going to have to get in there, I've decided to just do an engine overhaul. Might as well rebuild it while im in there. But that will be happening at a much later time. As of now, engine work is done and I will continue to move foward and finish removing everything from the frame.

[01001010]

Well, im waiting on a few new cubbies I ordered to keep things organized. In the meantime, I think im going to begin restoring the windshield frame which has some corrosion on the surface.

I've read that wire wool may do more damage than good. I've also read of people using scotch bright pads...but the pads alone? Any liquids?

[AAXD]

The green pads alone should remove any rust from the galvanising, assuming there is some zinc left underneath. Thats how I got rid of the rust on mine. The zinc will grow a new "film" with time that will protect it from any further corrision. Just don't be too aggressive with it or you'll start to strip it off.

[01001010]

So the new owner picked the trck up this morning. I asked hi to join the forum and if he could, to keep it updated. I'm happy it went to a good home, Mr. Sprock seems VERY enthused about the whole project and looked like a kid a a candy store.

[ArmyRover]

Congrats on the sale, but my condolences on your loss.

[Funrover]

You sold the project.. man that sucks, I am sorry to hear that

[AAXD]

Why did you sell it? It had serious potential.

[Gregory G. Sprock]

Hello All,

JC flatters me with the "Mr. Sprock" thing, but I will go with the kid in the candy store analogy. Please call me Greg.

To fill you all in on my background, I am your high school shop teacher and work at the local VOTEC school. I will have students working on the project as we go to share the knowledge and keep the antique British stuff in the mainstream consciousness. I have owned quite a few British cars (MGs, Triumphs, Austin Healeys, one Lotus Europa) and have been the mechanic for quite a few other unusual antiques. I am pretty confident this will go rather smoothly as it is really in great shape.

JC had done a great job with the disassembly and cataloging of parts and I am thrilled to pick up where he left off on the project. I will do my very best to restore this Rover to factory specs, although will probably go with radial tires for comfort. I am still working my way through the inventory stuff, but will start working on the panels JC had already removed ASAP.

My camera is broken, but I will either get a new one or have it repaired. Either way, there will be new photos soon, I promise.

Best wishes to all,

Greg

[Gregory G. Sprock]

Hello Again,

I am still taking inventory of what needs to be done but have confirmed the following are beyond repair:

Left front floor board
Both B pillars
Fuel tank

The first two items are easy to locate, but the latter, because it is for a diesel, is not so easy. Does anyone have any resources? I am considering adding a second fuel tank as well. Any ideas here?

Oh, and I am trying to come up with a snarky tag line. Was considering, Keep the shiny side up," but that is sort of an oxymoron with a Landy...

Best wishes to all,

Greg

[Thor]

I usually say the 'oily side down'

[rmuller]

Greg -- I look forward to seeing how this project turns out!

For rover parts the best places to find them are;

Atlantic British - Land Rover Parts & Land Rover Accessories | Range Rover, Discovery, LR3, LR2, Defender, Freelander and Land Rover Series Parts & Accessories
www.roversnorth.com

for some of your more rare pieces;
Land Rover Parts Rovers Down South, New Orleans, LA

[Gregory G. Sprock]

Hi Ryan,

Thanks for the welcome! I look forward to the project as well, but am a bit confounded by events at the moment. Everybody came over yesterday to see the new baby so I did not get anything done. Today I had personal business to attend to and then the sky opened up, so no luck here either. Grrr. Anyway, I will get to this thing ASAP, I promise.

Thanks for the links. I have yet to find the right fuel tank and the folks I thought would galvanize my frame fell through. "Improvise, adapt, overcome, & persevere," as it is said.

Best regards,

Greg

[gordo]

Hey Greg, Lots of companies out there, Rovers North, Atlantic British to name a few but I got most of my parts from a fella named Stephen Peters at Safari Rover. His website is not functional but his email is sales at safarirovers.com
Great guy and is constantly bringing stuff in containers from england. Trevor at rovahfarm.com also has some unbeatable prices and is a great dude to boot. George at Roversdownsouth has all kinds of odds and ends too. I also believe Tidewater Rovers (maybe in your hometown) splits the occasional series truck. Good luck and keep us posted. Gordo

[Gregory G. Sprock]

Hi Gordo,

Thanks for the connection information. I have been working on my nephew's 1962 Bugeye Sprite this past week. Funny thing about British stuff is that the hydraulics do not like to be ignored. We have been repiping and refitting the brakes and clutch and should have that car roadable this weekend. Unless I can not figure out why the vacuum advance is not advancing... hate to yank the distributor, but I ain't skeered.

I have been trying to find someone to galvanize the frame for the 109 SW. Does anyone have the weight and dimensions? I have a firm who may hot dip it, but I need more information. Otherwise my nephew suggests sandblasting and then Rhinolining it. Not a bad concept, but not exactly stock either.

Also, I have been digging around my attic for British parts and came up with piles of lenses, switches, gages, etc. So, I may be in service when it comes to wiring issues. I am seriously considering reterminaling the harness with heat shrink at all the joints. This would stop some of the Lucus faults, particularly for an off road vehicle.

Nice to talk with you. I will try to get some photos out soon. First I have to find the darned camera...

Best regards,

Greg

[Gregory G. Sprock]

Hi Guys and Gals,

Okay, how do I attach photos for you to see? The "Attach Files" section does not have a place to click.

The truck is in great shape and I spoke with the auto paint instructor today about getting the panels done. We will probably go with Dupont paint and I am using an aluminum etching primer to make certain things stick well. I will keep you posted!

Best wishes,

Greg