CLASSIC LAND ROVER SERIES 2A RESTORATION - INTRODUCTION

[@GeoffreyCroker]

Put the manifolds on and fire it up already! We’re waiting 😁

[@LandRoverDrive]

Hehe, sure, why wait. I'll just pop out in my lunch break and close my eyes as the crusty valves dance the "Should I move or should I bend" dance. 💃

[@jdenmark1287]

@@LandRoverDrivecrooker is a Landy guru.

[@LandRoverDrive]

@@jdenmark1287 A bid dodgy, but his videos are great. 😂 Nah, don’t know him but I find our humor is very much aligned along with our interest for Land Rover.

[@AdeptHavelock]

Cant wait for the "Series" series 😀 Very jealous of you Simon 👍

[@LandRoverDrive]

Thanks and good, it means I have bought something good. 😂 I can’t wait to continue on this, so much fun details to share. 😊

[@ccconlan2670]

Nice to see it cleaned up.a big task ahead but,will be so worth while.keep up the good work😊😊

[@LandRoverDrive]

Thank you, and I’ll try my best to keep up the momentum on this project. 😊

[@billb3444]

Simon. Absolutely worth it. The smile on your face says it all. A big project is just small projects joined together. An 88 series is the perfect one to do, Simple, accessible and easy to split up. When I bought my 73 S3 109 my mate took one look at it and said that’s an effing shed. He was right. I always said when I finished restoring it there would be a big pile of corroded discarded bits alongside a new S3 109. I was right. It had been well butchered by the previous owners and so I made many upgrades. It kept me busy on and off for 10 years or so and I learned a massive amount of new skills. It was worth every penny and the time. Restoring cars, boats, houses is always worth time. Think of it as preserving your families/countries history and having a really cool vehicle. Pity I am not closer and a Series 3 as I appear to have almost a complete body, drivetrain and interior for a 109. 🤣 The first step is the hardest and you have already taken it. I too love cleaning crap out of stuff. So much fun with a pressure washer. 😳👍 Great post.

[@LandRoverDrive]

I am glad my excitement comes through the lense, as it is 100% real. 😊 I'm starting every morning now reading up on the Series and how to restore it. 👌 And thanks for telling your story about the 109 Bill, I think many are in the same boat here, and can agree with it being well spent time. I feel being in the garage is mentally good, a time of recharge basically. As long as I know what to do and I can just do, using my hands is such a good feeling in these modern days we live in. I hope I won't find to many surprises here, and I belive I won't considering the previous owner, the things that concerns me is the internals of the engine, gearbox and clutch, as it is all unknown at this point. But that is part of the fun, finding it all out, both the good and the bad. 😊 Would be fun if you were close, I am thinking of having a open night in the garage so local LR people can come and check it out. 😊

[@billb3444]

@@LandRoverDrive Good idea on the garage open night. Do it. Funnily we will be stopping in Tronheim, for only a few hours, in May on the postal steamer. Will give you a wave. 🇳🇴🇬🇧

[@jonasviken7458]

Just let me know if you need a hand! Looking forward to a trip when my 79 classic is finished!

[@LandRoverDrive]

Thank you Jonas and I will! 😊 And you should definitely join a trip in your RRC. I need to come and check it out at some point. I also thought about having a open garage day here so local LR people could come and check out the Series. And maybe share some experiences and tips. 👍

[@jonasviken7458]

@@LandRoverDrive You should absolutley come and check out the RRC at some point! An open garage sounds a lot like something the local Land Rover Club would be interested in, in which I'm the newly appointed leader of the board. Always nice to share some tips and experiences 😄

[@LandRoverDrive]

@ 👍 I will keep you informed then. 😉

[@robjames2000]

I was born in 68 - there’s hope for me!!

[@LandRoverDrive]

Hehe, Just a young lad. 😊 Then there is hope for the Series too you recon. 😊 I will do my best and see how far I can get it.

[@Normanx964]

Here's a great ww2 movie on 4-wheel driving in a British truck. "Ice Cold in Alex." Desert war.

[@LandRoverDrive]

Thanks for the tip. 😊 I find old LR commercials really cool, and my favorite must be where they have the trailer which can be engaged so you have drive on all six wheel. 👌

[@simon-mouse8739]

Simon, you definitely look so excited and I am really pleased to see this project taking form this year. It's going to be a great series on the series 😁👍

[@LandRoverDrive]

You are up early today Simon. 😊 I am super excited and I also belive it will be a lot of fun. I just hope I can make it interesting for you and the others to watch and follow along. 😊

[@simon-mouse8739]

Yes, couldn't sleep! I know you will make it interesting and it will be a family effort which helps.👍

[@LandRoverDrive]

@ Too excited about my new video. 😂 Thank for the support Simon, it really does help. 😊 And family is key in all of this, they are my biggest supporters. 🥰

[@andrewmitchell6351]

Plenty of life ... let's hope all of the bits are in the back. My series 3 was off the road for 15 years, and one of the main problems I've had since recommission is that the parts you buy today are very poor quality ..... Good luck with it, Simon, and enjoy the therapy of bringing it back to health.

[@LandRoverDrive]

Thank you for the support! I hope I won’t be needing too many parts, I got them ready to be sorted and inspected, so I will take along the way. I also will and reuse old parts as much as possible, but we will see what happens. Therapy in the garage is time well spent in my book and I can’t wait to get into it. Let, just hope I don’t get into it too deep. 😅

[@handycrowd]

Brilliant! But why isn't there 200 pipes, 50 modules, a thousand wires and a ton of sensors in there lol? Oh the joy of dropping a socket and it hitting the ground 🙂

[@LandRoverDrive]

Thank you! And yeah, it is a bit simpler. 😊 I hope I can manage. 👍

[@MartopoSons]

Love this one..i love series 2a with non chrome headlight surrounds..only a embossed lip around the light mount..anyway, in my opinion..Just restore the whole engine, mechanical and electrical things..keep it original..put a servo brake for better daily use...and then you good to go i guess...original paint still deserves to keep it that way..unless the bulkhead chassis. should keep them rust free..hahha..so happy for you man..that truck looks happy too being taken care by you . Happy rovering.. cheers..

[@LandRoverDrive]

Thank you and great spotting on your part. I also like this line of Series, the 2a has the most charm in my opinion and it got modern enough mechanical parts to be fun to work on. The metal grill is also a nice features on the 2a which the Series 3 lost. I think rust vise the car is in good shape, some areas need attention but nothing that needs doing now. I will keep the car patina, throughout the whole car, internals, mechanics and the paintwork. And I will try and use as much of the original parts as possible. A servo would be nice, and I will see if that will come later, but that is lightyears ahead I feel now. 😅 Also would like disc brake conversion, but I must keep focus on the here and now. 😉 Best, Simon

[@tonysurface1]

Hey Simon. You are living my dream. I hope to do the same thing. I'm so happy for you. I can't wait for more videos on this series. Lykke til!

[@LandRoverDrive]

Thank you Tony and I feel super lucky and thankful to be able to buy this Series, and for really nice price as well. I can't afford anything expensive. 😊 I hope I can make the videos in such a way that you will feel you are with me on this journey, sharing this Series restoration, feeling both the joy and pain together. I think this is going to be a lot of fun. 👍

[@josephgittos3787]

Nice to see all the green moss gone , daunting task for you but hopefully will be great in the end. Love the houses where you live with the large garage and elevated room, esp made of wood, most of the houses are brick/stone in UK but we should make more timber houses.

[@LandRoverDrive]

Yeah, it’s something really satisfying about cleaning an old car! Daunting is such a good word for it, it’s what it feels like. My plan is to not stress and rather enjoy the process. I’m really happy with the house and the garage placement, a bit up from the road and built on rock. Never an issue with water or flooding. Garage is why I wanted this house and after 11 years it still brings me great joy. 👌 We should all use more wood for what we need, except carparts, metal works a bit better there. 😊 Thanks for watching and great comment. 🤙😊

[@workshop_deluxe2493]

Simon. And again, a very nice and enjoyable video. I mean content, cut, transitions, camera angles, camera quality and the right length. Close to perfect, at least for me. Enjoyed, again, every single minute. I'm afraid I have to copy your style. 🙂 Cheers, Christian P.S.: Thanks a lot for your replies, had this week no chance to answer. No, I have no Discovery yet, still sorting the market, but I will go for a Disco 4 very soon...

[@LandRoverDrive]

@@workshop_deluxe2493 Thank you again, being creative like this is very fun. I think this one was a bit too quick but it matched up so I let it be. Wish you the best of luck in your car hunt, and enjoy it. 😊

[@scottguy5452]

Exciting project

[@LandRoverDrive]

Thanks Scott! I am super excited as you probably can tell. 😊 I’m reading up on everything Series at the moment, so much fun hunting for details about the car. 👌

[@LandRoverDrive]

Is there any hope for this Series Land Rover ? 😊 Let me hear what you think!! 👍

[@giuseppescuto3490]

Very beautiful...........dear Simon. 🤩

[@LandRoverDrive]

@@giuseppescuto3490 Thank you! I just hope I can get it running as good as it looks! 😅

[@rhkavli]

This is going to be a nice project! With a sound frame and a body that doesn't need a lot of patching, it should be possible to get it rolling in six months. Sure, you have to do some work on the floor, but a series doesn't have many weird shapes to deal with. The engine was also turning. Maybe some piston rings are seized, but a mixture of ATF and acetone usually get them freed up. The ignition system looks like it's complete, but what about the carburetor and the inlet manifold?

[@LandRoverDrive]

You are pretty spot on with your observations and your line of thought. 👍😊 I will have to inspect the engine thoroughly and see what is working and what is not. I have most of the parts in boxes and will go through them all. I have found the carb, inlet and exhaust manifolds, ned to inspect and refurbish them too. I hope 6 months will be enough, if I can get the spare time I need, but will try to prioritize it. Will do a full detailed walkaround showing the full status and details of the car.

[@rhkavli]

@LandRoverDrive Unless you have to rebuild the engine, I think 6 months is doable. But there are always rabbit holes to deal with. Clutch, transmission and diffs, are unknowns. Did the previous owner give you a reason why it was parked and partly disassembled?

[@LandRoverDrive]

@ He started the restoration but lost interest. Like so many others. The things done is good, undercoating inside out of the chassis, new brakelines, engine was filled to the top with oil. At a quick glance I think at least the head needs to come off due to corrosion, but I will know more when I inspect it properly. I will perform a compression test on it so it will be fun to watch I think. 😊

[@robertdrum6857]

Are you going to repaint it in it’s original colour( grey) or will it be yellow or the blue? Or, not paint it at all😊

[@LandRoverDrive]

Keeping as is, I think it tells the story better. Later if I have time I maybe think I will do a proper rebuild and respray but dor this round its staying like this. 👍

[@erikiversen4497]

​@@LandRoverDrive I would consider a light coat of paint remover. Usually removes the top layer and brings the original colour back. The original paint is usually way more tough than the newer paint and doesn't come off that easy it you are carefull. 😊

[@LandRoverDrive]

@ Would be fun to try this on the rear side panels, would like them to be white. 😊

[@mrcvry]

I say yes.

[@LandRoverDrive]

Thanks! It Will need a bit of work and I will need a bit of support to get through this. 😊😊

[@mrcvry]

I was right. 😉 👍 Who stole all the parts? And don‘t bother with the hood. Just remove it. Also the doors. Easier access!

[@LandRoverDrive]

@ Parts are in the back, was removed when the former owner started to restore it. 😊 Will go through it all and see what I will need to order. 😊 Hood will be off and I think the side panels will come off. 👍

[@mrcvry]

@ Puhhh…. good! 👍 I forgot that.

[@LandRoverDrive]

@mrcvry 👍 I will show it all in the next video, some is good, some is shi…

[@jdenmark1287]

My Two cents. Decide if you are going to keep the original engine. It will need a complete rebuild and a new unleaded head with the higher compression ratio. A new carburetor, fuel pump, water pump, should convert to electronic ignition. Or Get a replacement engine, either a LR 200/300 tdi , a VW 1.9 tdi, a kubota 2.5l turbo. Or go with a bigger 3.9l -4.2 l Isuzu or JCB equipment diesel. Mate to R380 transmission from Ashcroft. You will need to upgrade axle components for later engines. So if you just want to putt putt around, keep it stock but modernize the engine. Put it on parabolic leaf springs, and 235/85 r16 tires. Rewire the vehicle and upgrade to modern fuses. Upgrade the alternator to a high output one. The brakes on the series are surprisingly good if you replace all the parts.

[@LandRoverDrive]

Thank you and all things will be considered as I move along. For now, I will aim for a patina restoration, use as much of the original parts as possible while getting what I need to make it a running and drivable car. What that will mean in the end I don't know, who knows, maybe it's all electric by then. 😅 Maybe should't say that. I think a V8 would be a good and fun solution for this if this engine is completely busted, as this will only be a summer car and for local trips, the V8 would make it a super nice drive. 👌 The electrics need a complete rewiring, a bit of work for sure, but I maybe will get a new loom so I don't have to do all the work my self. But would be nice to keep the old fuse-board, as it says so much about the car. 😊

[@jdenmark1287]

@ check out what Nate at Dirt Lifestyle did with his Series IIa. Running the 2.5 TD with Toyota axles and 1 meter Icelandic tires. To be honest with you, the 2.5l diesel even without the TD will run that thing around fine. I had a Series III Lightweight with that motor and it scooted right along

[@LandRoverDrive]

@@jdenmark1287 I have seen some of his videos about it and I find them really cool. I would love to do a project like @DirtLifestyle has done at some point, but the problem with it is that everything he does on his would be illegal here in Norway. 😊 It could only be used in a offroad area and I don't want that. A 200 or 300 tdi would be a nice option as they should bolt in pretty nicely, but I think we will just wait and see what the current engine has to tell us. If it were easy and possible, I would put a TD5 engine in it, I really like and enjoy them, and super powerful.

[@jdenmark1287]

@ yeah, the TD5 would be a tough fit with the extra cylinder unless you bumped out the radiator panel. The 200 is a better fit than the 300 . But check out the UK military surplus dealers as they should have some new old stock 2.5l engines laying around.

[@LandRoverDrive]

@ True, same block I belive on 2-300 as the 2.25 petrol, or same size casting at least. Think it was the same up until 1998 when they introduced the TD5.

[@giuseppescuto3490]

It s diesel ?

[@LandRoverDrive]

No, it’s the 2.25 petrol. The block casting is the same on the petrol and diesel. 👍 So there is a lot of engines out there that can be a replacement or be sourced dor parts if I can’t get this one running. 😅

[@giuseppescuto3490]

@LandRoverDrive so you can do it diesel if you want?

[@LandRoverDrive]

@@giuseppescuto3490 Need a the diesel top and all the other parts, but yes. I think the diesel internals is a bit stronger but don’t quote me on that. 😊

[@grahameroberts8109]

Stick with petrol for now. Plenty of parts depending on the bank account balance for the project.

[@LandRoverDrive]

​ @grahameroberts8109 Yeah, I will go for a patina restoration throughout the car, keeping it as original as I can and using as much of the old parts that I can. Will buy what I need to get it running and driving, so rivet counting here, if you get the reference. 😊 I have my Patreon page, they support my channel and I haven't used any of it yet, I will use that to buy parts or services needed to restore the Series. So that is basically my budget for this restoration, and which also sets the limit and maybe eventually will restrict the project from moving forward. But the goal is running by the start of the summer, and I will work hard to reach that goal, and still remember to enjoy it and have fun. 👍