I bought a 1971 SIIA 109" SW last week. Drove it back to Colorado from Virginia. Wonderful car- albeit primitive compared to my other LR. Anyway, I am starting down the list. I have the workshop book- and have put it to good use. I have some questions best answered by knowing owners.
1) Fueling the vehicle is tedious- there seems to be a problem with the breather- I fill gas until it reaches the top of the filler- then it drains incredibly slowly. Repeat. After several iterations, the fuel does not drain. I assume it is full. The gauge reads 3/4 full. The fuel meter goes from 3/4 to 1/4- then I put in 8 gallons- back to 3/4. The original gauge has been replaced with a series III.
2) The speedo has been replaced with a series III. The needle is bouncy and inaccurate. I know the new gauge needs to be fitted with the SIII cable- not sure how to tell which cable is currently mounted. Odo is innacurate.
3) Shifting is roough 1-2. I ordered the req. parts in order to do the shift selectors. See how that helps.
4) All the doors fit like a NASCAR fan at the opera. As there is no adjustment, I assume it must be the body. The frame has been welded- new outriggers in places. Seems quite accurate measuring off the pavement.
5) The rear end is sitting on the frame. The front springs seem to be replacements- at least keeping the thing up in the air. All shocks are shot. This seems to be the issue I get the biggest variety of opinions about. I read one catalog and they say parabolics are the way to go- no doubt. An old land rover parts seller told me he almost hung up on the phone when I asked him for prices on parabolics- he wants to sell me a $1000 set of four "custom" springs. I have heard that the original equip. springs from LR are actually purchased from some crappy mfg. of aftermarket stuff. Some people say only Old Man Emu (which I have fitted to my 95 RR)- others say only buy original. I am most confused. One guy even told me he though the makers of parabolics springs should be charged with endangering the lives of others. Can I get a clear idea about this?
6) My distirbutors vac. advance has given up the ghost. The unit appears to be the old style SII model (my SIIA came from the factory with a 6 cyl. and now has a 2.25L providing power). What should I do- new lucas, new other type, rebuild?
7) I want to know more about the engine in the LR- like I said, the 6 cyl. was replaced. How do I know my compression ratio, regular or unleaded, etc. It is fitted with a double barrel weber- which, amazingly delivered more than 20MPG on our drive across country. I intend the rebuild the unit this weekend. Passed emmisions no problem.
Anything I can do to make the 33 year old paint look better. Showed a car paint guy- he laughed an advised repaint- which will happen at some point. Anything inbetween?
I really appreciate any help the group can give me.
Jared
1) Fueling the vehicle is tedious- there seems to be a problem with the breather- I fill gas until it reaches the top of the filler- then it drains incredibly slowly. Repeat. After several iterations, the fuel does not drain. I assume it is full. The gauge reads 3/4 full. The fuel meter goes from 3/4 to 1/4- then I put in 8 gallons- back to 3/4. The original gauge has been replaced with a series III.
2) The speedo has been replaced with a series III. The needle is bouncy and inaccurate. I know the new gauge needs to be fitted with the SIII cable- not sure how to tell which cable is currently mounted. Odo is innacurate.
3) Shifting is roough 1-2. I ordered the req. parts in order to do the shift selectors. See how that helps.
4) All the doors fit like a NASCAR fan at the opera. As there is no adjustment, I assume it must be the body. The frame has been welded- new outriggers in places. Seems quite accurate measuring off the pavement.
5) The rear end is sitting on the frame. The front springs seem to be replacements- at least keeping the thing up in the air. All shocks are shot. This seems to be the issue I get the biggest variety of opinions about. I read one catalog and they say parabolics are the way to go- no doubt. An old land rover parts seller told me he almost hung up on the phone when I asked him for prices on parabolics- he wants to sell me a $1000 set of four "custom" springs. I have heard that the original equip. springs from LR are actually purchased from some crappy mfg. of aftermarket stuff. Some people say only Old Man Emu (which I have fitted to my 95 RR)- others say only buy original. I am most confused. One guy even told me he though the makers of parabolics springs should be charged with endangering the lives of others. Can I get a clear idea about this?
6) My distirbutors vac. advance has given up the ghost. The unit appears to be the old style SII model (my SIIA came from the factory with a 6 cyl. and now has a 2.25L providing power). What should I do- new lucas, new other type, rebuild?
7) I want to know more about the engine in the LR- like I said, the 6 cyl. was replaced. How do I know my compression ratio, regular or unleaded, etc. It is fitted with a double barrel weber- which, amazingly delivered more than 20MPG on our drive across country. I intend the rebuild the unit this weekend. Passed emmisions no problem.
Anything I can do to make the 33 year old paint look better. Showed a car paint guy- he laughed an advised repaint- which will happen at some point. Anything inbetween?
I really appreciate any help the group can give me.
Jared