Will This Rover P6 Run And Drive After 30 Years? | Pt.1

This Rover P6 2000 has spent the best part of the last 30 years tucked away in a barn. Can I get it started?
This barn find really pushed my skills to the limit and I learned an incredible amount.
=============================
Support me:
=============================
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @noteconomicallyviable
If you're enjoying the content then you can show your appreciation by buying me a coffee: www.buymeacoff...
=============================
Follow me:
=============================
Instagram: / noteconomicallyviable
Twitter: / ninorosella
=============================
Affiliate Links:
=============================
Some of the links in my video descriptions are affiliate links, which means at no extra cost to you, I will make a small commission if you click them and make a qualifying purchase. This really helps me as a content creator and means I can continue to provide content into the future.

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Correction: the colour is Mexico Brown, not Tobacco Leaf Brown as 7,000 of you have pointed out 😅😅 Hilarious that a manufacturer offered two different shades of brown, but I suppose that's 70's Britain for you!

[@charlesdale1462]

They also offered Puke Yellow, flares and porno mullets. I should know, I was there!

[@simonwoodward438]

50 shades of brown

[@G1NZOU]

I had the same issue trying to work out what shade of white my Wolseley Hornet was, apparently it's Toga White.

[@mattlawton4715]

Everything you say about what am I doing out side messing with an old car is so relatable 🤣 it's a man thing 🤣👍👍

[@4Hills_Boxmeer]

Really great content again! Glad to hear again from you! Keep up te good work!

[@lexyk6574]

Pulling the head off in the snow, freezing your bits off. You've unlocked a new level of tinkering. You're officially addicted mate. Fabulous content.

[@waynebaldycanning]

Not even watched it yet and I’ve liked it. Can’t wait til everyone in bed later and I can sit on my own and watch this. I know it’s gonna be a good one!!

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Haha cheers, Wayne

[@nygelmiller5293]

To Wayne baldycanning. Good for you mate!

[@CastroS14]

CONGRATULATIONS ON GETTING THE ENGINE RUNNING BUD. Glad to see you back 👍

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Cheers, bud 👍🏻

[@aslandama]

Great to see you back with some decent space to work on your projects, good for the channel too!

[@ronjones1077]

Great progress. Your first comment about the carburetor being part of the steering was brilliant, and made me watch your endeavors. Good luck and best wishes from Alaska

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

It seems people either got that joke or they didn't haha. Glad you enjoyed.

[@willlucy5810]

Congrats for bringing another one back to life. I have a 1971 3500S, different kettle of fish to your 2000 SC auto but these should all be saved. A misunderstood and overlooked classic in my opinion. Name me another car of this vintage which is as technologically advanced. You'll love it when you finally get it driving. Keep up the good work!

[@Paulmcdouglefish]

Great video , I’ve got a 73 v8 p6 which I rebuilt myself as a fairly young chap at 27 years old (36 now) im a mechanic by trade myself but on modern cars and do the old stuff for fun and down time , it’s nice to see younger people getting into the old stuff without any prior knowledge.Your video was a fantastic watch and look forward to the next video ,

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Cheers, Tony 👍🏻 (Also, we’re the same age lol)

[@Paulmcdouglefish]

@@NotEconomicallyViable saw a p6 just like this at the classic restoration show on Sunday , had to double take thought it may have been yours !!

[@SvennsCarchannel]

Despite all the smoke she runs beautifully ! If the head gasket is gone you obviously have the skills to do it after having removed the cylinder head from the old engine😁Good work💪

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Yeah I got the old one off, so doing it again shouldn't bee too difficult at all. Would be great to have her back on the road

[@jamesproudlove1527]

Jaguars, Rovers & Triumph cars in New Zealand, were built at the Stoke plant in the Nelson Province. Many them ended up being painted brown, as your example in this superb video, of sparking life back into this great British Marque. Thank you for sharing.

[@bertone122]

1:00:00 remove the valve cover, put the first piston in the upper position, then the valves on the first cylinder must be closed and the distributor finger must point to the first cylinder

[@sportquattro86]

You are properly bonkers!... and are most certainly living out the channel's name. Great to see the new content. Loved seeing the old P6... my dad had a few in his time.

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Haha nothing I touch is economically viable and that's the way I like it

[@G1NZOU]

My parents have a 1967 Woleseley Hornet with a '93 tax disk, safe to say it hasn't been run for 29 to 30 years, planning on getting it back on the road this year but vids like this are useful to know what to do to get life back in it. And yeah, I totally get the apprehension about working on carbs, luckily my car as well only has the single and not the double like the Cooper minis have.

[@mudmucks]

Just loved the depths of winter and despair grumble prompted by the syringe pop at 22:34 - definitely keeping it real! :) Well worth the three month wait!

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Haha thanks, Martin

[@markharris7662]

I've had a few of these old rovers. My favourite one was 2000sc it was a pleasure to drive. Brought it for my 40th birthday. Sold it on my 50th. Its still rocking down the B roads.

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Ahh I love that. Would love to get this back on the road.

[@trevatkin4869]

Couldn't believe it when you pulled that ice block out of the engine block. Brilliant channel. I love seeing channels where it's as it is, rather than showing everything going perfectly, which in reality it never does!

[@pavelprunner5367]

I love the way you underestimate your knowledge and skills. I am a big fan of Derek at Vice Grip Garage but that guy grew up on motors. He's something else. Your channel is exactly how every one of us is feeling plus it is funny (which I am not). So basically, great job and keep on coming with these great videos!!! Many thanks for them and cheers mate. 👍😉

[@lemmykilmister450]

Silver line are good tools for the price. If its stuff I don't use daily they're my goto brand.

[@kenbarlow5373]

Bought a Silverline brake line flaring tool, less than 15 quid and works like a treat!

[@molsky13]

my dad had one of these back in the day all i can say good luck with the brakes well done on getting it started 😊

[@carolotsful]

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC I knew you would get it running ....

[@simonharbour1701]

Really enjoyed this one. Really took me back to working on my Cortina’s engine in mid 80’s

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Thanks, Simon

[@waynebaldycanning]

I shouted with you when that started up first time. Yes!!!!!! Love the sound effects you make too. And the word Groo is my new word of the week

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Haha groo everywhere

[@markcooper4945]

Delighted to see a new vid and congrats on the new home and private space for these projects… great 70’s icon love the colour…perhaps consider putting something on the ground to stop the inevitable oil spills etc. good to keep the Mrs happy.. cheers

[@funthamental82]

Great stuff. Can't wait for the interior part of this new project. I keep my fingers crossed for your progress

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

The interior part is the part I'm least looking forward to haha. Most of it looks beyone saving

[@tigermoth3194]

Great to see you back on YT👍

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Great to be back!

[@therandoms.enoughsaid.1662]

THAT`S A BIT OF A TREASURE TROVE THAT IS FULL OF GOOD PARTS, I`D LOVE TO RESTORE IT WITH THE OLD GOOD PARTS THAT ARE THERE.

[@petewatson9866]

Not long joined the channel and I am hooked, love your content. I am watching your back videos. I wish I had the space to do up cars, watching you is second prize 👍👍

[@malcolmdown9170]

Loving the read the spark plug joke

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

😅

[@martinnicholls1871]

Great to have you back Nino, Top work as always !!

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Cheers, Martin

[@maljohn6584]

BRINGS BACK OLD MEMORIES I HAD A ROVER 2,000 AND THE 3.500 V8 BACK IN THE 70'S FANTASTIC CARS IN THERE DAY . I STILL SEE A 2,000 DRIVING AROUND OUR VILLAGE IN THE SUMMER TIME. JUST LOVE IT 👍 Thanks for the video. And Good luck if you restore it back to original CONDITIONS.

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Cheers, bud

[@stephenm3277]

Wow! Absolutely amazed, i take my hat off to you, well done 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Thanks, Stephen

[@BITTYBOY121]

YES ! YES !! YES !!! - Well done bro you now have a running car ! - Great effort and video - Best of luck with this project man 👍👍👍

[@Koala223]

If you can get the hood up enough to oil the hinges, you probably should, I saw it flex a little bit.

[@craigbuckley3373]

Don't be down because that sounds a good engine with an easy enough fix. There was also a Brazil Brown which was slightly darker. Great project i wish you well with it and look forward to seeing it all sorted

[@tahustvedt]

A single SU HS carb. That's about as easy to deal with as it gets. SU carbs are brilliant. Good job reviving this one!

[@elhmcr]

What a great, fun video...I am looking forward to part two already. And I am sure your old neighbours are not missing the cars too much 😆

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Cheers, Elliott 👍🏻

[@regharris1]

Good work to get it going. My dad had a 1972 2200 tc. Great cars. Looks like it maybe head gasket? Look forward to seeing it on the road.

[@justinjones4252]

Just came across your video. Loved it. Good watching u. Started watching just after midnight, had to watch until the end.

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Cheers, Justin

[@Rongturn777]

As soon as you said a carb was part of the steering “ I subscribed and liked 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Wait...so you're saying that it's not actually part of the steering?? 😅😅

[@Rongturn777]

😬 “ really hope you’re joking , good luck with the p6 ‘ I remember when they first came out and they still look good today 👍🏻

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Haha cheers Robert

[@kenbarlow5373]

​@@NotEconomicallyViable I can't believe you thought the carburettor was to do with the steering system... everyone knows carburettors are in the gearbox!😂 Seriously though, great stuff, these old P6s are worth saving and fetch pretty good money these days, saw a beautiful red P6 2000 today on the M11 as it casually ripped past me 😊

[@nalinux]

I think timing inverted happens to me about half the time I work on en engine. Excepted monocylinders :)

[@paulhickie6974]

Loving this rover get her running 😊.

[@jadegb5474]

Really enjoyed this and you did well to work it all out. ......What you really need for checking the timing on old cars is a 12v light bulb on a piece of wire that you connect to the coil and just as the points open it lights. So put one connection on the distributor side of the coil and the other to earth, turn the engine by hand with the ignition on and you will see when the pulley notch lines up at TDC when it lights. Turn the distributor to adjust timing. Take off the rocker cover to see the valves will help. This is good for the static timing and then you can use a strobe light when the engine is running but be carefull not to stick you hand in the fan !!!!!! Also a "remote" starter push switch is handy to turn over the engine and you can fiddle at the same time, easy start helps on that first start, and you can also not use the fuel pump and just gravity feed the fuel a bit like a hospital drip.........a compression tester is good and etc etc the list goes on. keep up the great vids.

[@jackgray1402]

What a great video and project. Can't wait to see more on this Rover and I'm very happy that you are now at a larger property where you can work on more vehicles. Too bad the head gasket was bad on that new engine, but the cylinders should be steamed clean now. 😁 Keep up the great work. Also, you should always check compression on engines with no known history. I'll send you a compression tester if you'd like.

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

I actually did do a compression check, but didn't include it in the video because the audio didn't record properly. Cylinder 1: 125psi Cylinder 2: 120psi Cylinder 3: 100psi Cylinder 4: 130psi Very kind offer though, Jack, appreciate that

[@Paul-kl5fs]

It's more efficient when trying to free an engine to rotate from the flywheel rather than from the crankshaft nut. This will create a greater mechanical advantage. Remove the starter motor and use a lever on the teeth of the ring gear and against the bell housing.

[@simonwebster6855]

Fantastic to see you back And a great starter classic Very easy to work on

[@phhu7554]

That's identical to one my old school mate had sat in the back of his dads garage thirty years ago. We started to strip it down hoping to fix it and sheared loads of bolts! and bust a few knuckles, eventually we lost interest and drifted apart so no idea what happened to car.

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

I haven't sheared a bolt on this yet. However, on my 2002 Audi A6 I sheared loads!

[@markallchorn2438]

Great to see some young folks interested in old cars. BRILL !! Think you've done very well. Looking forward to see how you progress with the Rover. 👍

[@nygelmiller5293]

The filming is amazingly clear so we can see everything!

[@TheStonelodge]

Great video , unbelievable perseverance in Baltic conditions amazing transformation into a Fog machine 😂 in stitches at the end , loved it

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Hahahaha a fog machine. I just need some four-bar disco lights and I'm sorted

[@colinbrown11]

Build yourself a unit with that space

[@joemalone9380]

delighted you got it going . monumentalise challenge ahead. i remember taking on a 1986 passat gl5 once but had to bail after 10000 miles. best of luck .

[@MrJerry1902]

Engine sounds good and the panels on this car simply unbolt so easy to dissemble as long as chassis is good it might be a viable project but expect to spend a fortune.

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

I'm gonna have to take the panels off at some point and take a look at the damage underneath. Hopefully isn't too bad as I'd like to keep this old girl

[@michaelstaley2241]

Lovely car once you sort all the issues, very good content.

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Thanks, Michael 👍

[@anthonydevono8833]

This is a big project I remember my brother in law having one of these in the beige when I was a kid takes me back to when I used to do bits to my first car a Triumph dolomite

[@Badger66]

Just brilliant as always..... liking the new house with much improved space! Keep them coming 😊

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Cheers, Ian

[@ChrisBartlett-y6q]

And I always thought the carb was something to do with the exhaust, learn something new every Day 🙂Although I like the P6, one of the cars I learnt to drive in the Police Force (V8 though) I LOVED the P5, that Coupe look, always wanted to customise one, shave all the handles off, French the lights and a spiffing paint job.

[@velouris76]

I can remember seeing these model cars everywhere, in about 1978/79, when I was 5/6 years old…I also distinctly remember being this a very common car used by the Police around this time… I’m actually surprised it had only been unused since about 1992/3, relatively speaking, that’s quite recent for a car that would have been in its prime in the 1970’s, even by 1992, this model Rover would have been totally obsolete…

[@worsley3000]

Use coke for seized pistons works like magic

[@badge-masterjay6430]

Mate great videos u are so lucky to have a wife like you have tolerant helpful lucky chap

[@Andy-sh9eq]

The best thing to put in the bores to un seize an engine is a 50/50 mix of diesel and automatic transmission fluid, it works a treat

[@rjguitars]

Brilliant! Once again a great watch, and if i may say i laughed along while watching. Nice to see the Merc in the background. Thank you.

[@Kimdino1]

When he started applying heat to the original engine I thought "Yep, that's the way to go. He's just using the wrong torch". Because, having seen the state of the bores & piston, I would have used an oxy-acetylene cutting torch to cut away the centre of the pistons from their skirts.. I reckon he might have been able to turn the engine over then. (lol)

[@tonymoore3558]

Well done you very entertaining I had all these problems 26. Years ago good luck my friend 👍

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Thanks 👍

[@camhussain3782]

Nice to see you back mate great video

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Cheers, Cam

[@cravan1982]

Excellent.

[@MCLEO983]

A mix of 3 part Kerosene and 1 part automatic transmission fluid will also get cylinders free too and it's easy to mix in large quantities

[@marklittler784]

One up for Silver line tools 👍

[@philipsdefreville6138]

Very cool car and colour!

[@LordInter]

i dont know is an amazing answer! at least you know theyre not sure!

[@josephjohnstone7667]

Weyhey! Awesome cars 😁. Always fancied one or a P5.

[@tjxkeith]

The fuel pump has a primming lever on it to draw fuel into the carburettor so you don’t need to add to anything to the pipe work like your rubber ball to squeeze. I would have tried putting another bar over your knuckle wrench bar to lengthen the bar so you can get extra leverage to turn the engine. You need to learn imperial measurements for British classic car. I had to buy a complete metric set of tools when we started to get foreign cars being sold in Uk. I worked as a mechanic for Rover Triumph Jaguar in the late 60’s

[@davidiand7]

I had a 68 2000SC and 3500 V8. The bonnet roof and boot lid are aluminium. The rear brakes are disc inboard ear side of the differential. I wish I had the V8 now.

[@tommoso55]

Well done that man,

[@montanaharkin]

Nice! Replace the head gasket and get it going again!

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Yeah, I think I'm going to have to

[@stuartrichards5644]

I doff my cap to you sir, well played...

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Thanks, Stuart

[@markallchorn2438]

Looking forward to seeing how you progress with the old Rover.

[@kevinthacker8349]

Am hooked already, Silverline are , great tools. For a goods price.

[@itsmephil2255]

Lots of work ahead, but worth it Good to see those silverline adjustable spanners were imperial sizes 👍

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Haha they helped me out more than once

[@itsmephil2255]

@@NotEconomicallyViable can't go wrong with the right tools 👍

[@garysides636]

Nice to see you and the rover back ! Annie Walker eat your heart out. When British engineering and British steel was something special. Don't know if it was my internet speed but commentary was like a 70's porn film....(majorly out of sync) was this to mate to the heritage of the car 😉😊 Keep up the great work and vlogs. G 🦉🙏

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Cheers, Gary. Couple of people have said it's out of sync, but only seems to be when streamed to a TV! I'm hoping that sorts itself out as that's a KZbin issue

[@jagandthestag]

Great Video!!!!!! Mexico Brown. Marmite colour, people either love or hate it. We love ours!!!!!!!

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

I'm beginning to love it haha. Might have to give it a polish!

[@RATADATUAVELHA]

car sounds very good indeed. at that time, Rover was great. it's a shame that no longer exists. since it started, you should replace engine oil, gearbox oil, brake oil and all filters.

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Yeah this was Rover's heyday. Really want to get it back on the road

[@barthomer1000]

Had these back in the 80s only the V8 you could pick these up for a few pounds then , interior hard to source. Panels ok. Joined the p6 owners club went to the p6 shows where you can get parts. Good luck you'll need it trust me done many of these rust is a big problem. Good thing every panel including roof comes off no welded panels.

[@jondeegan9410]

I like your ambition this car would scare me with all the welding and parts

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

It scares me every time I look at it haha

[@Blackhart50]

G,day what a amazing video I was screaming at my phone tell you what's wrong with the motor like timing and other stuff.

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Haha next time shout louder so I can hear you!! Would've saved me days

[@mikeprice9994]

First time I've found you. Loved the video!

[@skaletjanos]

You got some great patience i need to say keep on 👍

[@Wiltshire-observer]

These were great cars in their day and still very desirable in restored condition!. That steam pouring from the exhaust is too much to conclude it’s just condensation - but before you make up your mind get the engine idling smoothly and up to temperature if you can. If you have no discernible coolant pressure, then you can assume head gasket especially if it has galloping use of coolant and thermostat is operating correctly. You might find that if you leave it overnight, the day after running it to temperature, remove the spark plugs and check for moisture across the electrode gaps. Moisture and coolant might seep into the cylinders enough to show up on the plugs when COLD. Good luck ! - a very worthwhile project.

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Thanks for the advice, Ian

[@mustard959]

Enjoyed this...made me laugh out loud a few times. Brill.

[@brucedavenport1324]

A most enjoyable film to watch >

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Thank you, Bruce

[@richarddavis4378]

I reckon it's at least a135 thousand miles at that age. My dad had the 3.5l version in British racing green back in the mid to late 70's. It was a lovely car, but unfortunately,even back then it suffered from its fair share of rust.

[@gefleigh4264]

New,! the year before i left school, I'm 67 now😅

[@gefleigh4264]

Alloy bonnet , and boot ,if i recall, ?some had the spare on the boot top,police were fond of them.

[@chriscollis9315]

You are just going to love the distributor,points and things from the 1970s good luck 🙂

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

I've enjoyed learning about them so far - great that you can see everything with your own eyes and have a god at working it out rather than needing a computer to plug in

[@kenbarlow5373]

Dwell meters, feeler gauges for points gaps and testing the condenser? Oiling the little felt pad for the lobes and oiling the baseplate mech. I wish cars were still that simple! I also remember 'reconditioning' the rotor arm on the wall of a tyre 😂

[@annyer262]

@@kenbarlow5373 easy to carry spare ignition parts. The cost would be under $25. You cannot say that about an ECU and sensors. I have an 83 brat that has a spare ECU in the glove box. I am going to test this and see if it good. If not I will buy a spare while they are still available!""

[@kenbarlow5373]

@@annyer262 And the best part is if something did fail you could usually fix at the roadside with basic tools! You could even do a quick points 'reconditioning' with the striker strip from a matchbox! Simpler times and greatly missed.

[@charlesdale1462]

Remember taking one to a scrapyard to be used for banger Racing! Got to 90 mph on the way

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Haha wouldn't want to do 90 in this one

[@davidweaver516]

Wow I wasn't expecting that... will save watching this till the wife has gone to bed 😊

[@philipdavison3862]

i had the same colour but the v8 3.5 auto, i loved it but the electrics just decided to set on fire and i just scraped it,the car drove really well,the only other thing was it was thirsty on the petrol but it was great,wished i bought another one.

[@deerawselecta7709]

Diesel mixed with auto trans fluid.fill the bores up and leave it for a week.

[@quattrojames]

Fantastic. I shared your glee when she fired up! I hope you can get her back on the road as she's evidently a survivor! Meanwhile, I'm still plucking up the courage to change the wings on my A6 after your last video 🤣

[@NotEconomicallyViable]

Cheers, James. I'd probably leave those wings until next year some time if it were me haha

[@MINIMOTOMADNESS]

sheldon from classic britain would have fun with that fella,there good cars

[@jlm-bv2et]

It's the car sound effects that get me🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣