It's Alive!

After fitting the bulkhead in the previous post, I slowly attached everything to start and drive the Land Rover . This included bleeding the brakes and clutch (which was surprisingly easy) fitting the accelerator linkages and all the ignition components. Brand new distributor (Britpart, so we'll see how long that lasts, but it gets me started) and all new Lucas leads, coil and alternator, NGK BPR6ES plugs (to suit the 8:1 compression ration head). I had been given a Zenith 36 IV carb that came off my Dad's 109" 2A, as he had fitted a Weber. A second hand series 3 radiator was sourced, filled, with no leaks So in theory it should work!

With a battery connected, the fuel suction pipe rigged up in a jerrycan and a piece of old exhaust pipe bolted to the manifold it was time to have a go at starting the engine. It was pretty nerve wracking as it was a test of not only the engine but the wiring as well (I am using the original loom)

Dad came over to give me a hand, I turned the key and engine turned over with no electrical fires so far! continued cranking but had issues with over fuelling/flooding. Took carb apart and found the level float/needle valve sticking allowing the fuel level to get far too high inside the carb and basically pouring fuel into the inlet.

After sorting out that issue we tried again and after a few attempts of turning it over it finally roared into life! After fiddling with the idle speed and the idle mixture screw it settled into a nice idle, without any smoke.

 Water temp stayed about this temp after 30-40 mins of running

With the engine warmed up it was time to try out the new clutch/gearbox. To my delight the Land Rover reversed out of the garage and down the driveway nicely, I was able to test out the clutch as well as 1st, 2nd gears + hi/lo range, all working. Excuse the multi coloured panels, I had been trial fitting the panels to prepare for paint (will be covered in the next post)

I've started the engine a few times since and it starts first turn of the key each time. Well chuffed!

Bulkhead

You may remember from a previous post that I had made a frankenstein bulkhead but transplanting the centre panel from my rusty bulkhead into a good bulkhead with a modified centre panel. It then got put aside while I carried on with the drive train. In October I had the bulkhead sandblasted and etch primed. Fortunately there was no further rust uncovered by the blasting.

 I then took it to my painter who hit it with a coat of epoxy primer, and a guide coat of black paint so I could start rubbing down.

After hours of rubbing down with wet & dry it was ready for paint. So back to the painter for the top coats of paint. I purchased a basic 2K paint called Metalux, tinted to Land Rover paint code LRC006 MARINE BLUE. It came out a little darker than the original Land Rover Marine Blue but i'm happy with it and the finish is amazing.

Like a kid with a new toy, I couldn't wait to start assembling. The bulkhead is a big step forward as there are so many parts attached to it! I could finally open up the cardboard boxes of parts that I had tucked away all those months ago. The first thing I fitted was the vehicle ID plates and all the plastic thread inserts, then put it up on the chassis in it's rightful place.

Heater blanking plates, vent screens, and steering box fitted.

Upper dash, wiper motor and wiring loom in.

Lower dash and binnacle fitted.

  Brake pedal box & master cylinder fitted.

 Dash nearly complete. Gauges pulled apart and glass cleaned, bezels painted black.

Getting close to first turn of the key!