New member(s) from Rhode Island

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Rhode rover

Rhode rover

Active Member
Posts
70
Location
Rhode Island, USA
Hello to all. I'm Glenn, my son is John and we are the proud owners of a 1973 wagon 88. It has about 160000 which I guess isn't too bad for just about 50 years old.
Engine sounds strong, starts right
up. Might have had some previous work done to it, no recorded info .
Everything mechanical seems to be in line for vehicle of this age. The repaint is ok, interior the same.
Now for the downside, the chassis or what left of it is pretty bad. I did look before purchasing it ( unsure of it's gender yet) but sometimes you don't see what you don't really want to see. Hope I made myself clear. I also have the feeling the outside has been somewhat doctored up for a better appearance. That's understandable I guess. We're both mechanically inclined but neither one of us has as a lot of previous auto repair experience but we're smart enough to follow directions, to think and understand what needs to be done before we try to do it and finally humble enough to ask for help as needed. We have talked about a project like this for years and it looks like it going to finally happen.
First question, is it really this slow or is it just me?
The gear ratio is brutal.
 
Rhode rover said:
Hello to all. I'm Glenn, my son is John and we are the proud owners of a 1973 wagon 88. It has about 160000 which I guess isn't too bad for just about 50 years old.
Engine sounds strong, starts right
up. Might have had some previous work done to it, no recorded info .
Everything mechanical seems to be in line for vehicle of this age. The repaint is ok, interior the same.
Now for the downside, the chassis or what left of it is pretty bad. I did look before purchasing it ( unsure of it's gender yet) but sometimes you don't see what you don't really want to see. Hope I made myself clear. I also have the feeling the outside has been somewhat doctored up for a better appearance. That's understandable I guess. We're both mechanically inclined but neither one of us has as a lot of previous auto repair experience but we're smart enough to follow directions, to think and understand what needs to be done before we try to do it and finally humble enough to ask for help as needed. We have talked about a project like this for years and it looks like it going to finally happen.
First question, is it really this slow or is it just me?
The gear ratio is brutal.
Click to expand...
Welcome to LZ!

Thinking that looks like a Series 3 Station Wagon, which is quite a sought after model in the UK.

Assuming this is petrol engined?

The petrol (gasoline to you) engines are quite strong, especially as that is probably one of the 5 main bearing engines.
I would expect a top speed of about 60 mph from one of those. They aren't particularly powerful by US standards, and only have a 4 speed box.
Chassis rust is likely to be more of a problem on that than mechanical issues. But if you are good with a MIG welder, repair should be quite possible.
In the UK, several makes of galvanised chassis are available for those. But I have no idea what is available in the US, or how much it might cost.

This section is mainly for Introductions, but I have given you a brief run down as you are here.
Please post further technical enquiries in the Series Land Rover section on the forum, where it will be seen by the Series enthusiasts.
 
Turboman said:
Welcome to LZ!

Thinking that looks like a Series 3 Station Wagon, which is quite a sought after model in the UK.

Assuming this is petrol engined?

The petrol (gasoline to you) engines are quite strong, especially as that is probably one of the 5 main bearing engines.
I would expect a top speed of about 60 mph from one of those. They aren't particularly powerful by US standards, and only have a 4 speed box.
Chassis rust is likely to be more of a problem on that than mechanical issues. But if you are good with a MIG welder, repair should be quite possible.
In the UK, several makes of galvanised chassis are available for those. But I have no idea what is available in the US, or how much it might cost.

This section is mainly for Introductions, but I have given you a brief run down as you are here.
Please post further technical enquiries in the Series Land Rover section on the forum, where it will be seen by the Series enthusiasts.
Click to expand...
Hi, thanks for the welcome.
I'll make sure to post in the Land Rover series area
 
Welcome Aboard :)

I passed my driving test in a SIIA from 1958, so series landies have a special place in my heart. They are slow, as Turbo says, above - can be improved with an overdrive - one of which is made in your fine country IIRC..

Post some piccies if you will, we like piccies :)
 
Hello and welcome:)
upload_2022-11-6_9-33-18.jpeg
 
Welcome to landyzone. 60mph is about as good as it gets but to be honest, if you can get it to go faster, it will probably shake itself to bits. When I do 60 in my 1977 landy Im always wondering if something is about to drop off. If the chassis is as bad as you say, a new galvanised one is probably the way to go but having a.play with a mig welder wont do it any more harm.

Col
 
Colthebrummie said:
Welcome to landyzone. 60mph is about as good as it gets but to be honest, if you can get it to go faster, it will probably shake itself to bits. When I do 60 in my 1977 landy Im always wondering if something is about to drop off. If the chassis is as bad as you say, a new galvanised one is probably the way to go but having a.play with a mig welder wont do it any more harm.

Col
Click to expand...
Hi, maybe I shouldn't say slow. When starting off in 1st gear it really drags. Almost like I'm pulling something. Seem like I have to shift into 2nd in a very short travel span. 3rd and 4th seem normal. Speed is around 40. It equiped with OD but sure how us it yet. Could just be me,getting use to vehicle.
 
Rhode rover said:
Hi, maybe I shouldn't say slow. When starting off in 1st gear it really drags. Almost like I'm pulling something. Seem like I have to shift into 2nd in a very short travel span. 3rd and 4th seem normal. Speed is around 40. It equiped with OD but sure how us it yet. Could just be me,getting use to vehicle.
Click to expand...

Have you checked the oils in everything ? - 1st is quite low, and it should pull away quite nicely .. quite a few oil containers to check on a series!
 
I thought of that. Planned on peek behind the transmission cover(rectangle cover) to look for any debris while doing a fluid change.It difficult to find 90 w oil in the GL4 class
If I'm describing it correctly.
 
Stupid question but, you have'nt got it low drive have you? Mine pulls away nicely in first and I change to second at about 20mph. Overdrive doesnt really make it go much faster but it reduces the revs in 3rd and 4th. Maybe the overdrive is engaged when it shouldnt be. When I bought mine, I knew nothing about the so I asked the seller if all the levers were in the right position for me to drive it home. Yes he said, you dont need to touch anything except the gear lever. It was making a right racket on the way home, it turned out the winch lever was engaged and eventually tore its drive shaft uj apart.

Col
 
Welcome to the forum. I bought a defender in 2020. I had a Range Rover classic before which unfortunately I neglected so didn't give it the maintenance or care it deserved.

I too didn't understand the vehicle enough to fully check the condition so I have also found things that needed care I didn't expect. Try to understand how to give your vehicle a good assessment so you can see the good and bad points and then plan accordingly.

The folks on here are really helpful but there are also other sources of information/help. Ask for links to YouTube videos for your model/build. I have learned a lot from the "trailer fitters toolbox" and "Britannica Restorations" - but that was for information about Defenders so series vehicles are likely to have more favourable channels.

There are also other UK, US, South African, Australian websites with knowledgeable and helpful people.

Look at a company called yrm in the UK. They do lots of bodywork parts and gave some tutorials.

Look at electrolysis! This can bring some parts that you think we're beyond salvaging back to life. It is also a great way of removing rust from manageable parts without inhaling lots of rust dust! Also, I would imagine getting parts in the US is going to be harder/more expensive than the UK, so saving and restoring what you can will save $$$.

I wish you well with your project and despite all the frustration and pain it may cause, I hope the smiles it puts on your face makes up for that many times over.

Enjoy!

Mick
 
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