I don't feel so bad now. I'm putting mine back together after three years of stripping it down to the barest bones.

Any ideas? I'm assuming engine/gearbox but I can't find where??

But I've found this bit! I assume that it must be a bracket but I can't remember where it came from?? Any suggestions??

Been adding various bits back onto the engine. And the other shiny fuel tank. And the most important bit; the vent flaps!!!

Got the paint brush out and some of the red oxide to make the bulkhead look almost like new. Then moved onto that wonderful bronze green! The memories of all that rust and filler have disappeared with a bit of welding and a few coats of the glorious green. Then I put my shiny fuel tanks back on.

Didn't you know, shiny things work better!!

And now, because I couldn't resist it, I added the bulkhead, even though I know it needs to come off for some further work. And that's where I stopped.

Now the engines in I can start adding more bits. Created a new tool for lining up the clutch plate and cover. The end of a aluminium crutch is exactly the right size! Then, after some minor work, the gearbox was ready to go. Really starting to look the part now. What a great piece of...

Does anyone know what this is all about?

Then I got bored with engine stuff and needed to get the grinder out! So made a start on the bulkhead with footwells made from filler! 90% filler 10% metal Trimmed up, rivetted in place, welded tight, quick coat of red ox and looking better already.

However, once I wheeled it outside on my wheelie pallet I was able to call on the hoist. And with the help of a bit of rope (and a beer) it shuffled into place. A bit of jiggery pokery and it was in.

Now for the really stupid bit. Moments before trying to move a heavy engine on my own! I have got an engine hoist but.... since moving the block into the garage I have taken out the up and over doors, bricked them up and replaced with a single door. Therefore the hoist no longer fits through the...

Other bits and pieces added. The fuel pump that took a day to take off and clean took 5 minutes to replace. I get the feeling the rebuild my be quicker than the strip down. Funny shiny bit for the manifold - why does it get special treatment? Everything else get a piece of brown paper!

Then the rocker thingy went back in (some of you will be pleased to note that my technical vocabulary has not developed further in my period of absence!) I did all the bits first to check it like rolling shafts across tables to check for straightness. Thought I had a problem at first but then...

It's just my garage but it evolved over the years!! The other half never sets foot across the threshold!!

One of the things that worries me; I sometimes have a little pot with random nuts and bolts and can't remember where they came from..... exhaust manifold fittings?

OK, here we go, Sunday morning, slight hangover from some excellent Isle of Harris gin. Time to upload recent progress. Last time I asked the silly question about cam shaft bearings. Now everything together and in. After wait for sump gasket reattached and looking shiny! Now to upset all you...

At last I'm off again. Next pictures should be the engine being reattached to the chassis!!! :D

First post regarding these modern vehicles, I normally live in the rust encased world of the 3 Series! However, my dad has a 04 plate 5 door sports Freelander and is having trouble with battery drain. It is his daly drive and yesterday he used it for work. He opened and closed the back about 4...

Every bit you do seems scarier than the last but once you get into it all fits together. It's just a real life Meccanno kit!