Tracing the history

lynall · May 17, 2023

Turboman said:
2 litres are gutless. Diesels worst, but petrol not much better.

I thought they became 2as when the 2286 cc engines were introduced, but that may have been only petrols, the diesel may have been upsized later.

You are right I am sure, bigger rad with bigger engine maybe thats where the A came from?

philtheplumb · May 17, 2023

Knappster said:
Try the Motor Industry Heritage Trust at Gaydon. They’ll have details on the original spec and potentially where it was supplied to for sale. This might provide a starting point.

The series 2 club is also a good bet. It might be known there or a previous owner a member too.

Many thanks for your input. I have just started my search via Motor Industry Heritage. I know I'm the eighth owner and details of the 7th. Found out about 5th owner. I have asked if they might have any details from them. Await!

Next job engine and chassis number were checked against the log book and DVLA. made contact with the Series 2 club

Many thanks for your advice. I think mine is caught between a mixed change over time between 2-2a

philtheplumb · May 17, 2023

lynall said:
That radiator is a true early flat top style, lots of people say they have a flat top rad when in fact they have the later version which is wider with angled ends on the rad top tank, wider rad may tie in with the later larger engines?
The rad should have a makers plate on it somewhere with the date it was made, normally made by Sercks.

Other early features are the bulkhead steady rods, front outriggers having no extra supports, floor dip switch blank fitted where lhd would have it fitted.
Lots of features are unique to early 58 models only, once 59 comes along they get more standard, then when the 2a comes out they are then much the same right up until end of s3 production, so early cars with early features still present are rare.

I had a note from a guy saying the top galvanized trim on the door was also a way of making sure it was a 2 or 2a. I await his comments on the photo.
Ps thanks for your comments. I'm very keen to keep the engine bay as it was from day 1. hence no go area for change, if this turns out to be genuine. the chassis is also the original.

Turboman · May 17, 2023

lynall said:
You are right I am sure, bigger rad with bigger engine maybe thats where the A came from?

Sure that is right about the rads. And when six cylinders appeared, they had even bigger rads again.

Turboman · May 17, 2023

lynall said:
You are right I am sure, bigger rad with bigger engine maybe thats where the A came from?

Just looked this up on the Glencoyne site. Turns out you are right, later 2s did have the 2286 petrol engines.

So OP will have to go on the actual engine number.

Land Rover, Range Rover engine history - by Glencoyne Engineering

Anaconda · May 17, 2023

Pretty sure 2a came in 1961.

Turboman · May 17, 2023

Anaconda said:
Pretty sure 2a came in 1961.

So does Glencoyne. But vehicles that age that have all the original parts must be rare as hen's teeth.

kermit_rr · May 17, 2023

Turboman said:
So does Glencoyne. But vehicles that age that have all the original parts must be rare as hen's teeth.

i can count the new bits on my 2a.. thats from 1962.. mainly carb, engine block,door tops, layshaft in the gearbox. going to have to do something with the seats.. getting a bit rough now
everything else is original

Turboman · May 17, 2023

kermit_rr said:
i can count the new bits on my 2a.. thats from 1962.. mainly carb, engine block,door tops, layshaft in the gearbox. going to have to do something with the seats.. getting a bit rough now
everything else is original

I don't think it is a major problem, unless you want enter concours condition classes at shows.

But it does make identification and parts ordering a bit more difficult.

kermit_rr · May 17, 2023

Turboman said:
I don't think it is a major problem, unless you want enter concours condition classes at shows.

But it does make identification and parts ordering a bit more difficult.

Block and layshaft were like for like.. i don't have the original factory carb but i do have a working solex.
When i first got it it was hard to get parts eg long type oil filter, not the standard shortie

Turboman · May 17, 2023

kermit_rr said:
Block and layshaft were like for like.. i don't have the original factory carb but i do have a working solex.
When i first got it it was hard to get parts eg long type oil filter, not the standard shortie

We have electronic distributor, and a few other bits. And the vehicle wasn't originally a Station Wagon, It was a truck cab, but a previous owner "Station Wagonised" it. Makes little difference now, as they are all historic reg.

I think the long oil filters were originally for diesels, petrol had shorties, but late Series all had long.

lynall · May 17, 2023

philtheplumb said:
I had a note from a guy saying the top galvanized trim on the door was also a way of making sure it was a 2 or 2a. I await his comments on the photo.
Ps thanks for your comments. I'm very keen to keep the engine bay as it was from day 1. hence no go area for change, if this turns out to be genuine. the chassis is also the original.

There are lots of differences, sadly I cannot remember them all! but there are plenty of anoraks who will tell you exactly what you have, especially on the s2 forum as some real knowledgable folk on there.
Dont go to much on things like doors/tailgates etc as they can be swapped easily.

Tracing the history

lynall

Well-Known Member

philtheplumb

Member

philtheplumb

Member

Turboman

Mab An Gov

Turboman

Mab An Gov

Anaconda

Well-Known Member

Turboman

Mab An Gov

kermit_rr

Very

Turboman

Mab An Gov

kermit_rr

Very

Turboman

Mab An Gov

lynall

Well-Known Member

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