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.
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!
I throughly enjoyed your blog. Great pictures. Love the color. I have agreed to purchase a 1974 Land Rover series III. I'm across the pond. Shall drive from Connecticut to Long Island, NY Tuesday to trailer her home. She's in a state that needs to be reassembled. New galvanized frame, suspension.
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