Not a boat or wood - but it's old...

[Nanoose]

I've been looking around at old trucks, 4 wheel drive vehicles and Land Rovers in particular for quite awhile. A few months ago I was seriously considering buying one that was a MAJOR project but that didn't come to pass. A couple of weeks ago I saw one pop up on eBay and it looked like a good deal - to make a long story short, it's a 1955 Series 1 Land Rover (86 inch wheelbase). It's stock, original and was in the same family for 50 years. Deb and I drove over to the mainland to pick her up last weekend.

She's a beauty (and I can say that because I'm the beholder).

Dave

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc175/SVNanoose/1955%20Series%201%20Land%20Rover/IMGP0745.jpg

Yes, it has doors but it's just a blast driving around with them off...

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc175/SVNanoose/1955%20Series%201%20Land%20Rover/IMGP0747.jpg

No airbags...

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc175/SVNanoose/1955%20Series%201%20Land%20Rover/IMGP0753.jpg

I actually know what most of this does - can't say the same for a new car.

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc175/SVNanoose/1955%20Series%201%20Land%20Rover/IMGP0752.jpg

I think I may have to do something about the lime green paint.

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc175/SVNanoose/1955%20Series%201%20Land%20Rover/IMGP0748.jpg

[BETTY-B]

That is too cool.

I did an awful lot of off roading in a couple different ones of those in high school. We never got stuck. Always pulling people out of deep mud bogs without any problem at all.

They're so simple. If the windshield wiper motor fails, it's got a manual handle. Does it have the safari top? A double "planked" roof that shades the incoming air before letting it in through the vents?

Is that lime green paint maybe zinc chromate primer? Those are aluminum right?

Too cool. I will have one of those some day!

DAN

[Nanoose]

It doesn't have the safari top but it has that magical wiper motor. I can tell it's going to be loads of fun come the rainy season here. Think I'll be using it in manual mode most of the time.

Apparently the original owner liked to do a bit of hunting and drinking with his friends out in the bush and they found, after a few beverages, that the Landy was quite difficult to find (the original color was dark green). It was re-painted lime green so they could find it even when they were tanked.

Yes, the body is all aluminum.

Dave

[Peerie Maa]

Another real joy of Landys is that with a decent set of spanners and sockets, you can dismantle it completely, sort any rust on the chassis, and rebuild it as good as new.
A mate of mine did do that with the love of his life.:D

[Hwyl]

I think the 55 had a side valve engine, so if I'm right, yours is not original and that's good.

There are some Land Rover semi professionals on here, but the title of your thread is not going to attract them

[Paul Pless]

Oh.. very cool. Congrats!

There are some Land Rover semi professionals on heredavid gage comes to mind

[goodbasil]

Ain't you just the bloody envy of everyone in the 4X4 club now?

[Nanoose]

I think the 55 had a side valve engine, so if I'm right, yours is not original and that's good.



Our information (owner's manual and parts manual) indicate nothing about a side valve engine, Gareth. And history of the vehicle indicates the engine is in fact original.
Deb

[Nanoose]

As Dave has further noted, he now needs to find 4 additions for his purchase:
1. gerry cans for the rear
2. winch for the front
3. an Indiana Jones hat
4. a British accent
:)
Deb

[Jay Greer]

Wow, that brings back memories! I once sold Land Rovers for Satrori Ltd. in Pasadena CA. A coulple of guys bought one and proceeded to drive from the upper tip of the Alaskan Hiway to the tip of Tierra Del Fuego. During the trip they ran out of oil and stuffed the crankcase whith bannanas in Chile where there took the tires off of the wheels and ran on the railway tracks. The Land Rovers were built to take advantage of standard gauge rails when needed.
Cheers,
Jay

[falco de fiume]

Is it a four cylinder Diesel?
Richard

[Nanoose]

Hi Gareth! You've given a couple of hours of happy research with your comment. When Deb mentioned I heard her say "slant" but what she said was side valve. The valves are in the block rather than a cylinder head so it is a side valve, yes?

I also wondered if the engine is original. The VIN and the Engine ID both indicate that it's a "55 and I'm assuming its the original engine. Took me a while to find the engine VIN though...

Thanks for the comment!

Jay - Seriously? Bananas?

[Nanoose]

FDF - 2.0 liter gas.

[Hwyl]

Some of them had overhead valves for the intake and side valves for the exhaust. Side valves are in the block. Your picture has a valve cover in it which means at least some of the valves are overhead.

I'm a bit out of my depth here, this is all speculation on my part.

[Nanoose]

From what I can tell, the exhaust valves are in the block. I'm out of my depth too but it's kind of fun.

[TimH]

Nice rig!

[AlanL]

Cool Landie.

Mine is a bit newer. here's a couple of pics:

http://www.alphabyte.co.nz/wb/GP4240007.jpg

http://www.alphabyte.co.nz/wb/GP3290009.jpg

I would think, given the year, that the engine is not original. The flat head LR engine is quite distinctive in that the plugs are screwed into the top of the head and the valves are to the side of them. However yours may have been one that was released for the north American market and that required adaptations to meet emissions regulations and so on. If that is one of those then your vehicle is an important historical artefact.

You may be able to find your vehicle here (http://www.lrfaq.org/Series/FAQ.S.Chassis_Numbers.type.html) or here. (http://www.allisons.org/ll/4/LandRover/S1/80-engine/)

This forum (http://www.aulro.com/) is very good and the people are welcoming.

They are a wonderful little truck. They are very easy to work on but I think that parts in your part of the world may be a little hard to come by. However, many can be fabricated.

In answer to a previous query, that one is petrol (hence the carby) but LR did also do a diesel version in 1958 (IIRC). That is a LR engine by the look of it. What is the capacity?

Alan

[Nanoose]

Alan - what year is yours?
Deb

[Nanoose]

AlanL & Hwl,

Here's what I can get from the numbers...

VIN is 57133206 - That translates to:

5 = 1955
7 = Land Rover
1 = 86 inch
3 = LHD Export

3206 - Serial number

Engine ID is: 57135251 In looking at the manual this number can only be on a 1955 engine.

Thoughts?

[Larks]

Nice pick up - I had a series 2 for a while when living in Alice Springs, nothing would stop it, I bought it for $200.00 because it had a set of Dick Sepek (?) Desert Dueller tyres worth five times that. I loved it and delighted in rescuing people in their luxury Range Rovers and Land Cruisers....

[PeterSibley]

Dad had one while he was opal miining at Andamooka ,great little machines .

Unfortunately I just gave away an original manual for a Series One to a bloke in the village who's doing up his Dad's old one .A pity .

[davidagage]

Dave, I like it!!
I had a '52 80" for a while and an 86" too. I love the Series 1s.

Currently working on the 65 109 S2a stationwagon when I am not working on Black Spirit. I have a bit of experience with Rovers so if you ever need a shoulder to cry on, just shout.

I have a workshop manual and a parts catalog I'll send to you. I got rid of all my other S1 parts.

DG

[Mrleft8]

Almost as cool as my '53 Jeep....;)

[Nanoose]

David & Peter,

I've got the manuals - I downloaded both the instruction manual and the workshop manual and the PO had a hard copy. He also gave me an original parts manual so I think I'm pretty set. I've also been able to find A LOT of information in various forums. Certainly enough to keep me busy for quite awhile.

I may be picking your brains though for some ideas though. First question...both front swivel pins leak. Have you re-built these? Any advice?

Thanks!

Dave

[BETTY-B]

First question...both front swivel pins leak. Have you re-built these? Any advice?

Thanks!

Dave

It's clearly a picturesforeveryonedeficiancy syndrom!

More pictures clears it right up!

[R.I.Singer30]

I had a 1966 model 88 for a while. A fun truck . The windshield wipers were cool as noted. What do you expect from Lucas electric, they didn't even trust themselves ;). I learned my wiring skills from my B.S.A.

[davidagage]

David & Peter,

I may be picking your brains though for some ideas though. First question...both front swivel pins leak. Have you re-built these? Any advice?

Thanks!

Dave

Yep....
lots of times. I used to sell a complete rebuild kit that included all the seals, bearings, swivels, swivel pins, shims, the whole kit a caboodle. If you don't have any play in the swivel pins (top and bottom) you can remove the swivel ball housing to axle bolts and remove the complete unit (with the axle) and then remove the seal carriers and the seals. I have heard of folks cutting the original seals so they could "flex" them over the axles and install them with the cut to the top so they wouldn't leak, not something I would recommend though.

DG

[Nanoose]

Here are the leaks...I just keep topping up and carry cardboard so I don't mess up parking lots...

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc175/SVNanoose/1955%20Series%201%20Land%20Rover/IMGP0755.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc175/SVNanoose/1955%20Series%201%20Land%20Rover/IMGP0756.jpg

Advice is always appreciated, but not always taken....:)

[davidagage]

Ummm, , Parabolic Springs too!!! Thats a good thing.
The swivel balls don't look rusty, that too is a good thing.

And Rovers don't leak..they mark thier territory:D

While it sits there can you see any play in the swivel pins? Rock a wheel side to side (from the top of the tire) and see if you get a little play between the seal and the ball.

I think I can see Warn hubs on the front too?

[AlanL]

Alan - what year is yours?
Deb

1983, Series III, Stage 1 V8.

Cart springs, like your Series I but not comfy parabolics though :P

Alan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgTJvG7WxuM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgTJvG7WxuM

[Nanoose]

Ok - just had a Landy moment. Actually, not the rigs fault but mine. Ran out of gas!!!

Luckily Deb is a good sport and I wasn't far from home. She took me to get gas, I filled it up and we were back on our way. Question...I'm assuming that I'd get around 15 MPG driving around but I'm estimating that I'm getting around 4 MPG. No gas leaks are obvious so I'm assuming(?) something amiss in the fuel system.

It's got an electric fuel pump that kicks on as soon as I switch on the key that sounds like it's running all the time. If so, do you think it's possible that I'm getting too much fuel? If so I'd expect it to be running quite rich but I'm not familiar enough with the engine to know if it is or not...The manual shows a mechanical fuel pump, not electric so I'm guessing someone added this?

Thoughts?

Dave

[AlanL]

AlanL & Hwl,

Here's what I can get from the numbers...

VIN is 57133206 - That translates to:

5 = 1955
7 = Land Rover
1 = 86 inch
3 = LHD Export

3206 - Serial number

Engine ID is: 57135251 In looking at the manual this number can only be on a 1955 engine.

Thoughts?

86" was only produced for a short time between the 80" and 88".

In reading through various sources it appears that while yours is probably the original engine (a very good thing) it is not the engine that you would ordinarily expect to see in that model. It doesn't surprise me given that there were many variations on NAS vehicles compared with their blighty counterparts.

LR engineers also tended reach into the parts bin when they ran short of required parts, which is one those things that makes them so fascinating. Every one was hand built and road tested and so no two were quite the same.

Alan

[AlanL]

Question...I'm assuming that I'd get around 15 MPG driving around but I'm estimating that I'm getting around 4 MPG. No gas leaks are obvious so I'm assuming(?) something amiss in the fuel system.

Yeah. Bit high.

Check timing, fuel mix, is the choke stuck open, ...

Does it miss? Run like an old truck? Oh wait , it is an old truck. Does it kind of surge when it is idling?

What colour is the exhaust pipe (inside)?

It's got an electric fuel pump that kicks on as soon as I switch on the key that sounds like it's running all the time. If so, do you think it's possible that I'm getting too much fuel? If so I'd expect it to be running quite rich but I'm not familiar enough with the engine to know if it is or not...The manual shows a mechanical fuel pump, not electric so I'm guessing someone added this?

It is quite possible that is the correct pump. The mechanical petrol pump is installed on the left side of the engine block on the flat head model.

I think for that pump it should slow to a near stop after a few seconds before turning the engine over. Then once the engine is running it starting clicking again.

Alan

[John Meachen]

It might be a wrong guess,but from that kind of fuel consumption I would want assurance that it wasn't jammed in low range on the transfer box.

[AlanL]

It might be a wrong guess,but from that kind of fuel consumption I would want assurance that it wasn't jammed in low range on the transfer box.

In low range it will not exceed 40km/hr. What's the kind of speed you get out of it?

Alan

[Nanoose]

John/AlanL, good thought but the speed is fine, I can go about 55 MPH and it shifts fine between high and low.

I went out and had a good look. Discovered a couple of fuel leaks. The first was at the banjo fitting, the second was from the carb body and I tightened the throttle shaft nuts enough to make it stop. Sounds a bit better too, much less of a "gargling" sound from the carb, going for a spin now to test. Thanks for your help!

Dave

[Jay Greer]

Some of them had overhead valves for the intake and side valves for the exhaust. Side valves are in the block. Your picture has a valve cover in it which means at least some of the valves are overhead.

I'm a bit out of my depth here, this is all speculation on my part.
Yep, they substituted oil with bannanas. National Geographic featured them.
Jay

[The Bigfella]

I grew up in banana growing country - steep hills and always an old Landrover to do the carrying. We used to have to sit on the bonnet (hood) whenever we were going up the steep bits with a big load on, to try and keep the front wheels on the ground... which didn't always work.

[Jim Bow]

Here in the Portland Oregon area I went to look at two Austin Gipsys that were for sale. I'd never heard of the marque before seeing his CL ad. Very nice vehicles, but I simply did not have the garage space necessary to build one good car out of the two.
My neighbor in Seattle bought an early 50s Landy and it came with a complete set of factory manuals in Arabic.

Also: You can't have a proper Land Rover discussion withour mentioning "The Antichrist" from the movie "The Gods Must Be Crazy"

[Nanoose]

Arabic!! Thankfully we've got the English versions....and an old original Parts catalogue too. Deb

[Rum_Pirate]

Wow. great buy, I wish I had it.

I had a 1962 Series IIA which finally gave up the ghost (rust) a couple years ago. :(

Great fun.

You will become acquainted with John Craddock http://www.johncraddockltd.co.uk/

and Paddock http://www.paddockspares.com/



You may even find time to curse Lucas the Prince of Darkness. (google it)

[Bob (oh, THAT Bob)]

Mmmm, love the aluminum body. Those things had a lower CG than one would expect because of that.

But, a Pontiac Fiero, heck a Mazda Miata has a longer wheelbase than that thing. Hence MY favorite Rover, the Defender 110 (inch wheelbase). Pricey!

[floatingkiwi]

Wow, that brings back memories! I once sold Land Rovers for Satrori Ltd. in Pasadena CA. A coulple of guys bought one and proceeded to drive from the upper tip of the Alaskan Hiway to the tip of Tierra Del Fuego. During the trip they ran out of oil and stuffed the crankcase whith bannanas in Chile where there took the tires off of the wheels and ran on the railway tracks. The Land Rovers were built to take advantage of standard gauge rails when needed.
Cheers,
Jay
In New Zealand I have heard of ruralites unfortunately far from oily substances, using banananas to quitenen a differenential, but seriously, a crankcase?

[floatingkiwi]

Another real joy of Landys is that with a decent set of spanners and sockets, you can dismantle it completely, sort any rust on the chassis, and rebuild it as good as new.
A mate of mine did do that with the love of his life.:D
Cannot one do this to any vehicle? Though with some, why would ya eh Nick?

[Stiletto]

Modern vehicles are constructed as a welded unit, you cant easily separate the parts to repair them.

[Olymale]

I have always loved tho's there was one here locally that was up for trading or sale... not sure if the guy ever did trade or sell it. http://www.franklinsvwwerks.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=13896

[Nanoose]

Appears he traded it for an old mini cooper. Nice to see the pics, though.

[Andrew Porteous]

The Series 1 engine as sold in Australia was overhead inlet/side exhaust in common with all Rover cars of the time. Capacity about 1.6 litres. The Series 2 went to OH valve of around 2.25 litres. The Series 1 engine was a headache for bush mechanics. All were oil burners after some use.

[epoxyboy]

Mmmm, love the aluminum body. Those things had a lower CG than one would expect because of that.

But, a Pontiac Fiero, heck a Mazda Miata has a longer wheelbase than that thing. Hence MY favorite Rover, the Defender 110 (inch wheelbase). Pricey!

The short wheelbase makes these damn hard to stop in the rough stuff, in spite of the gutless engine. The shorty will get over banks and boulders that will have a 110 bellied out and spinning its wheels.
The wire radiator grill makes for a good BBQ rack too ;-)

Pete

[brad9798]

I assume it has heated seats and a rear seat DVD system? ;)

Neat car, BTW!!!

:)

[pcford]

I think of British automotive technology with something approaching bitterness. And I have lingering credit card balances to underscore this thinking.

A fine, fine hobby. Just don't depend on them to actually get you somewhere on time.

[AlanL]

In the rough I rely very much on my old beast and apart from one occasion when a bracket for the coil broke off it has never let me down. That time I had to strap the coil on with cable ties and away we went.

The daily car is a Landy too and it's just great. But of course I think that the parts in the US cost more than here.