Got the Series 3 running, but can only get 40mph!

May i just add for the sake of clarity and continuation.

2 things,

Firstly, some helpful and insightful responses.

Secondly, the original post was 4 years ago and the poster disappeared after 3 posts in Aug 2009.

I somewhat doubt we will ever know what happened, when or why. Frankly i don't care anymore, i hope he's bought an Aygo.

How much crap is spoken on ere at times I'd it's maintained well a 6 pot should be fine for 60mph they are a lumbering engine but will get there do you know what 4.7 diffs were fitted for a reason

Storm well spotted lol

and despite it being an ancient thread (and not much use)...... I've had 45 on the speedo on my 6 pot in 3rd - going up a slip road, then 65 on the a38 in 4th - admittedly the rad blew 3 miles down the road, but they do go

IIRC they are geared for just over 16mph per 1000 revs in top - so flat out at 5k that makes 80ish - personally I wouldn't dare go that fast in the old chicken shed

Let me know next time yur out, I'll take a different route. lol

Didn't people say life was a lot slower years ago? :5bredface:

I'm just surprised that the previous owner (he's got a stage pyrotechnics company) toured the uk one year in this landy, i'm surprised he did that at 40 mph!![/QUOTE]

When I first got mine was always trying to get a bit more speed, now after about 7 months as a daily driver I'm more than happy to bounce around at 35/40 mph.

Have to go down duel carageway and sometimes hit 45 but feel like I have to say sorry and treat her to a oil top up.

Kind of strange for an old thread to be resurrected but it did get me thinking. The normal six was quoted by Land-Rover as being able to do 75. The Weslake headed version in the NADA station wagon was quoted as 82, and this engine was more powerful even than the stage 1 V8. The six is much more torquey than the four cylinders, will accelerate better and allow a higher top speed, but they love a drink!
The 1-Ton was available with 7.50x16 tyres but still with the 1-Ton "easychange" gearbox, towards the end of Series III production. SEB had them speed limited to 50mph by a special rotar arm. on 900x16s the top speed was somewhere over 60, but with a very revvy engine!

If the OP ever does read this, I would concur something was badly wrong with his six. I doubt it was a 1-Ton as production ended in 1977. Most likely the throttle wasn't opening fully, or he just didn't like the sound of it at higher speeds, they do sound like they are going to blow up when compared with a modern car!