SAVING A ROVER SD1 - FIRST MOT IN 17 YEARS BOOKED! - Prep and Clutch issues!

The SD1 is a legend both in motorsport and as a road car. In this video I start again on restoring an SD1 and getting it back on the road after spending time in a barn and in storage for 18 years unused and abandoned. This car was taken from a none runner to a car basically ready for it's MOT minus a few bits.
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[@ChuckieFinzter]

A770TEG 2600S There was a tendency for them to leak at the lower corners of the windscreens. Was due to when the screen was put in. I believe that there was an electrical heating emement in the mastic seal. A current was supplied that cured the sealent. Over time, the sealent broke down, causing it to leak. In my case, it caused 2 inches of water to appear overnight in the right-hand footwell. I used black silicon mastic and spread it on each side of the chrome trim. ... Never leaked again.

[@jgh548]

That engine sounds so sweet. Always loved the sound of the straight six with the viscous fan whine on top.

[@tomdrives]

I prefer it, I do love a V8 but the PE166 is so under appreciated

[@cjones175]

Says everybody that can't afford the V8 lol

[@tomdrives]

@@cjones175considering the other cars I own, I think I can afford a V8 SD1. I bought this car, I like the car and I’m keeping it. Come to think of it, didn’t you comment something on another video of mine? Why are you still here? ;)

[@paulbainbridge6425]

The sunroof is leaking purely because the drain hoses are blocked, blocking the outlet on the drivers a pillar will only make it worse , you need to blow them through with an airline

[@tomdrives]

Incorrect, if you see the video it is leaking from the sunroof seal itself

[@marcushull12]

Not saying i`m old but my 1st bedroom TV was a 12 inch black and white PYE when I was 16 and still lived with my parents, then as I worked I upgraded to a 14 inch colour Amstrad that was £250 !!! I worked a 44 hour week and took home £38 !! lol mind you petrol was 50p a Gallon, beer 48p a pint and Cigs 50p for 20 and the pool table in pub was 15p lol

[@spankysmp]

Great video. Subbed I had a SD1 back in the late 80s, I was only 25, sudden rush of blood the the head I think. Bought it when it was three years old - D179 MOK. I loved that car and even now, I think it's the most beautiful car I have ever owned. Never let me down and a beast on the motorway. I did Blackpool to home in South Manchester in 25 mins one very late night 🙂

[@brianwhittington5086]

The SD1 clutch can suffer with a stiffening pedal. It is usually down to the post that the release arm pivots on. The pivot has a ball end withr a hole for grease, it wears the arm and eventually punches a hole through it, resulting in the pedal going sold. A new stronger release arm is needed, check the parts as the pivot posts differ with model. The sunroof has a plastic drain tube on each corner of the assembly, they can deteriorate. The fronts go down the screen pillars, through the sill area, and exit through the bottom of the wings. The rear go down the D pillars and exit on the lower quarter panels, directly behind the rear wheels. You should see a short length of pipe poking out of a grommet at all four points. Check they're not blocked as they are more prone to it on cars without mudflaps fitted. Don't block the pipes on the sunroof corners, temporarily seal the sunroof to roof with duct tape instead.The outer sunroof seal is only a wind seal, it's not watertight, You will end up with several gallons of water collecting in the sunroof cassette, that will overflow into the car as you drive. If the sunroof is electric, it works via two cables from a motor, on the rear valance, under the false floor in the boot. It should have a black plastic cover, there should be a small emergency winding handle clipped inside that cover. It fits on a D shaped drive peg sticking out of the motor, to wind it manually. If you are getting water in the glove boxes, there are two possible places to check. The original front screen bonding can fail, and needs a cut out and re bond. Rust holes can develop in the lower aperture if it's had a new screen and the paint/ primer has been damaged in the process. You can't effectively seal a leaky screen without rebounding as water will find a way past the joints in the stainless steel trims. The other place to check is around the bulkhead. The metal,m can crack around the brake servo, and clutch master cylinder area,, allowing leaks past the gaskets. There should be a reinforcement plate inside the car, but I've seen cars with it missing.

[@chrisblay]

That water leak on the SD1 reminded me of my old Montego. It used to have a jet of water from the windscreen, pointed at the drivers face, when in heavy rain on the motorway. 🤣

[@tomdrives]

I love it 😂 real old car memories

[@BelfastMurf]

That’s a feature, not a bug. Austin Rover’s advanced system to stop drivers falling asleep at the wheel…!

[@elvishards8161]

I love how you love the SD1 soo much,cars nowadays are pish lol

[@ringo196]

What a plum!

[@matthewrowe9903]

Fair does bud especially in that top just reminded me of the Orb ! Before your time lol

[@tomdrives]

I did have to google that

[@ackraux1010]

Tom I must say you do have an exquisite taste in shirts

[@123jrh1]

my 214 leaks from the same places as your sd1 , drainage holes might be blocked

[@frothe42]

That is what I thought as well.

[@matthewc.419]

@Tom Drives well done u man Haha , I got my commadore64 in its original box with boxed ģames too .......outrun !!!!! Iv always been into saving since I was a kid ,

[@tomdrives]

I’d love some more old consoles/pcs like the commodores, spectrums etc! Just no space! Good find and good on you hanging onto it!

[@matthewc.419]

@@tomdrives it was werid wen it all came out , me thinking this will never catch on .......ooopsie ......I like to conserve

[@garymorris801]

Getting there

[@tomdrives]

Certainly is, I hope to be running it properly by end of November

[@MyJon64]

I remember Tony Pond racing these SD1's He often said "The SD1 has Street Cred"

[@HandleyR]

I had a leaking heater matrix on an SD1 that made the passenger side carpet wet. Absolute nightmare to get at it.😕

[@Luton-Mick]

I had that go on mine, in the end the head gasket popped so I had to weigh it in. .

[@bernardcharlesworth9860]

1985 good year for sd1

[@ethanlittle776]

The sunroof started leaking on my cortina. I sealed it with bathroom sealer and lots of tape. Will deal with it in summer 😂

[@markrainford1219]

I love crock- a-poos lovely dogs

[@unigateman]

I had the same clutch problem with a stored TR6, clutch stuck on flywheel, put the car on the ground and start her in gear, I have a lot of space in front of the house the TR started in gear I drove her in first and the clutch plate released itself..

[@paulowen-iy6vm]

If it doesnt free this way on the starter, if you press the clutch, put the car in 1st or reverse gear (depending on which direction) and give it a jslow speed jerk tow with another car the shock it will normally free it.

[@Luton-Mick]

Did you not know about the optional on the move shower these came with? 🤣

[@Geordie10032]

Sounds like the diff is knackered

[@markcropper7182]

it is just rust in the brake drums from lack of use cleaning the drums will sort it

[@michaeljohnson1006]

Nice to retro fit air conditioning with all that luxury

[@01tasker01]

My neighbour used to have an sd-1. went in it from Doncaster to Edinburgh and back and it didn't even flinch

[@tomdrives]

I’m hoping this one can do the same when it’s finished.

[@ringo196]

Your mum said your dinners ready 😅

[@petervankas1352]

2.6 Was guttless , it might go a bit better with the seats and interior removed

[@elvishards8161]

3.5 litre would be the dogs bollocks

[@leonardgoldberg2879]

Sunroof drain pipes blocked.

[@steve.9138]

Is it a public Instagram you have? Would love to see more updates

[@tomdrives]

It is Steve, link is in the description of the video

[@steve.9138]

@@tomdrives ahh days the link is broken

[@tomdrives]

@@steve.9138 sorry about that! Should be sorted now :)

[@steve.9138]

Sweet I've followed, I love me some SD1 updates

[@a11csc]

you tried tom

[@tomdrives]

I’ll be trying again soon, I think this time it’ll be sorted

[@michaelbolt4530]

Im also not bothered about new phones/cars..

[@tomdrives]

Headspace to be in, you do you.

[@ringo196]

It's the diff ffs

[@tomdrives]

What part are you responding to?