Question regarding reliablity of series models

[Terrance Chamberlain]

Hello,
I know from experience driving old Series models that they are good cars that will keep on going. My question is what is better: to buy an old unr-estored series III and restore everything but the engine. Or add a newer engine. This choice is killing me because we all know series III are great off-roaders when they came out. Will they be reliable to a trip in Africa with original engine? Because frankly I feel if I put in a new engine in it. It's not really a Land Rover anymore.

[Muddy Oval]

Old Series trucks have been romping across Africa for about fifty years- i'm not sure why I'd question the reliability. A more modern engine might be too hard to get fixed with fencing wire, wood and nails.

[Hillbilly Raider]

K.I.S.S. and you cant go wrong.

[p76rangie]

The car will be reliable in good condition. Most have been used and abuse over their life and it often takes a lot of time and money to get them back to good condition.

[pickuprover]

Buy the series III, restore everything including the engine.. If it truely is for an African adventure, I would not be using a newer engine, there are too many things to go wrong. As well, since they are previalant in Africa, the knowledge to fix them, andthe parts are there... A Land Rover kept in good condition and run often is a very reliable vehicle (I know many would find that hard to believe, but I use it as my only vehicle.... ) You just need to learn about the mechanics of it and keep on top of the tuning/ repairs.... and by doing a complete restoration yourself, you learn all about the truck...

[Shearpin]

Here's another vote for sticking with the 2.25 Series motor. I did a rolling restoration on my Series III while using it as a daily driver in University - bought it in 1996. I started with very little mechanical experience. I prefered to travel alone so knowledge of the old machine was important to me.

Eeyore and I have since been all over the desert southwest United States, home to Toronto, Canada, have done a lot of Baja, Mexico miles, criss crossed Mexico, Belize twice, Guatemala - all at a 45 mph cruise behind a happy 2.25 petrol.

I've had luck with a Zentith Carb, petronix ignition (easily swaps to points/condensor if problematic), and a Racor fuel and water filter - otherwise I've left it stock. I've been told the Racor filter is overkill but I haven't had to field clean the carb since. I am sure African fuel could be as bad or worse then what I've got the odd time in Mex/Central America.

Henry

[pickuprover]

Shearpin.. I am in London. What clubs are you a member of.. Ottawa? LRAA... just curious if we have run across each other somewhere along the way?

[Shearpin]

PickUpRover ....... I am a bit of a loner I guess - I haven't been a part of any clubs since '97 approx. I check the OVLR and Toronto Area Rover club websites regularly. I am not familiar with the LRAA. I should join and attend an event or two this summer. Is there one you would recommend?

Apologies for the highjack....


Henry

[p76rangie]

If you are thinking of going into remote areas, the fuel economy of the vehicle, the availability of fuel, and what type of fuel is available are very important factors.

[300bhp/ton]

Originally Posted by Terrance Chamberlain

Hello,
I know from experience driving old Series models that they are good cars that will keep on going. My question is what is better: to buy an old unr-estored series III and restore everything but the engine. Or add a newer engine. This choice is killing me because we all know series III are great off-roaders when they came out. Will they be reliable to a trip in Africa with original engine? Because frankly I feel if I put in a new engine in it. It's not really a Land Rover anymore.

Are you meaning replace the original engine with another series motor or with a different motor?

Old simple engines are easy to work on, ECU controlled setups mean if you break down in the middle of knowhere you are buggered.

If the engines in good running order then there's no need to replace it, however recon orignal engines are usually pretty cheap and easy to buy.

[onslow]

Originally Posted by Terrance Chamberlain

Hello,
I know from experience driving old Series models that they are good cars that will keep on going. My question is what is better: to buy an old unr-estored series III and restore everything but the engine. Or add a newer engine. This choice is killing me because we all know series III are great off-roaders when they came out. Will they be reliable to a trip in Africa with original engine? Because frankly I feel if I put in a new engine in it. It's not really a Land Rover anymore.

Hi Terrance,
In my experience when vehicles are "rebuilt" they can oddly prove less reliable than a good used vehicle for engines a 2.25 petrol takes some beating all i tend to do with these is a compression test (low readings are usually down to valve seat wear).A good electronic ignition system helps but I only use ones that can be replaced to points easily "in the field".also a new radiator or at least removal and flushing the existing rad and a new thermostat helps,gearboxes I find a good quality oil in a box i have proved to be most reliable,re-con boxes can be a minefield most are more con than re.

Axles general health check and oil change with good oil brakes are always worth overhauling but use only lucas/lockheed components as some of these copy parts are nothing short of dire, inspecting/renewal of propshaft ujs is a must.

[acornhoek]

Some good advice above....................basically "Know Thy Vehicle" if you're going to be "away from the things of man" and Hillbilly is right on w/ KISS.

I'd have a Salisbury in the rear though, and still take spare axles along, but the 2.25 can handle it.

[Kevin]

I live in Africa and want to give my sixpence worth. Those that say keep the original engine are spot on. Spares for the engine are available. The engine might not be fast but other than a few places in Africa you're not going to need speed. If you replace the engine source one that is widely available in Africa because if you need spares you will have trouble. Basically another popular engine would be Toyota but then again it must be one that is available here; they are not always the same as what is available in the rest of the world.

There have been many 2.25s taking travellers from Europe to Cape Town over the years. If you really want to change engines then drop in the Rover 3.5 V8. But then you have a real gas guzzler when fuel stations might be a bit far apart. The V8 would then mean a change of axle to a Salisbury and 3.54 diff ratios. Rather stick to the 2.25. As was said earlier , KEEP IT SIMPLE.