Garth - 1973 Land Rover Series III

**flipstah** · 07-28-2013, 06:54 PM

So I've always had a soft spot for Land Rover's, mostly the Defender. When I first saw one in action, I knew I had to get one but when I found out Defender prices, the interest died down.

It was still there but not as pronounced until recently.

I was browsing around Kijiji, searching random ads and here it was, not a Defender, but a Land Rover nonetheless.

For 40 years old, it was 85k miles so that's pretty good so I definitely had to check it out and see.

Did the appropriate research and found that these have aluminum panels and a steel chassis so that was my main thing to watch out for.

First saw it, it was awesome. No chassis rust, leaks like all Rover's do but not much, and runs rough because it's been sitting for a while.

He drove me around and bam, bought it after.

Plan to restore it enough to do some trails for now and we'll see where he takes me.

The former owner calls him 'Garth' so I'll continue the tradition.

See below for the progress!

**flipstah** · 07-28-2013, 06:55 PM

So after buying Garth, I immediately got him insured and registered.

TD Meloche Monnex had trouble finding the car in the database and double-checked the short VIN but got it registered! She said to have fun because you're gonna need it.

After that, it is off to safety inspection at Zero Limit Auto:

Other than few minor issues and the necessity of a new muffler, Garth is safe enough to be considered roadworthy.

So in the back, it came with:

- Random bolts
- Rear seats
- Roll cage
- Soft top
- Tailgate
- Jack
- 40 years of random dust, dirt, crap, etc.

Man up!

Interior shots

Couldn't figure out this funk that the truck had and when I was vacuuming, I found it. It was a dead robin wedged in the seat.

After I got that out and aired it, no more stank!

The 2.25L petrol engine with a Weber carb and working electrics. SCORE.

Nothing like Spray Nine and WD40 to clean things up.

Installed the bench seats after and will make the left ones.

**flipstah** · 07-28-2013, 07:07 PM

So the truck right off the bat, runs rough. Idles rougher than a tractor engine should, felt like it didn't get enough air, and the timing was off.

So time for a tune-up!

Spark plugs make a BIG difference. FACT.

TRS (The Rover Shop) was closed so no oil change yet as I'd like to replace the gasket in the oilpan as well.

Cleaned the undercarriage with this stuff (also added Lucas Fuel Treatment in the tank):

The results speak for themselves:

**schocker** · 07-28-2013, 07:28 PM

You could move the captain slow plate over to this

**Heru-Farukon** · 07-28-2013, 07:32 PM

LOOOL ^

Doo ett

Why the fuck did you name it garth

**D. Dub** · 07-28-2013, 07:38 PM

Love those! Looking forward to watching it come back to life.

**flipstah** · 07-28-2013, 07:59 PM

Originally posted by schocker
You could move the captain slow plate over to this

Originally posted by Heru-Farukon
LOOOL ^

Doo ett

Why the fuck did you name it garth

LOL I could but I'd like to have other plans for Garth. Putting Captain Slow to the LR would just piss off people, period. It is turtle-fast!

He was named Garth by the previous owners and since he had a great track record with them, I'm keeping the tradition alive. With these LR's, superstition can't hurt.

Originally posted by D. Dub
Love those! Looking forward to watching it come back to life.

I'm hoping to get him running as smooth as possible, replace all weather seals, gaskets, and get that muffler fixed before any paint jobs.

**CanmoreOrLess** · 07-28-2013, 08:19 PM

Can you polish the aluminum like on an Airstream? Are all the body panels aluminum? I think this is a great buy overall, I almost did likewise but the LR was under five feet of snow and it would have taken a great leap of faith.

**CanmoreOrLess** · 07-28-2013, 08:22 PM

Too sexy!

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**AndyL** · 07-28-2013, 08:29 PM

Ok, so you know the proper "tuneup" for this is to run to PYP - find an S10 with the 2.5 - and take off the TBI & harness and computer... And eliminate that damn carb

And a few lucas electronics at the same time

(there's an assload of writeups out there on pirate4x4)

Was the seller's name Chris by chance?

**flipstah** · 07-28-2013, 09:46 PM

Originally posted by CanmoreOrLess
Can you polish the aluminum like on an Airstream? Are all the body panels aluminum? I think this is a great buy overall, I almost did likewise but the LR was under five feet of snow and it would have taken a great leap of faith.

Since the body is all aluminum, I could but it may be high-maintenance. Also, it has a lot of dings so it won't be Purdy. I think a simple paintjob would suffice.

Thanks! Be on the lookout for more mods and basic upkeep 101!

Originally posted by AndyL
Ok, so you know the proper "tuneup" for this is to run to PYP - find an S10 with the 2.5 - and take off the TBI & harness and computer... And eliminate that damn carb And a few lucas electronics at the same time (there's an assload of writeups out there on pirate4x4)

Was the seller's name Chris by chance?

LOL the carb makes it soo cool and easy to learn from.

The seller was Piers and side-note: actually looking for the most active LR forum around and a local chapter to join.

**AndyL** · 07-28-2013, 10:08 PM

Did ya want to drive it or learn to curse out lucas properly

**flipstah** · 07-28-2013, 10:28 PM

Originally posted by AndyL
Did ya want to drive it or learn to curse out lucas properly

Actually, testing out the night-time drive was... Interesting.

Heater-Lights-Fan.

Choose two; can't have 'em all. You will lose power.

The tune-up still needs tweaking and that muffler is just rattling about. Needs a new one ASAP!

**blitz** · 07-28-2013, 10:30 PM

Sweet fence

**flipstah** · 07-28-2013, 10:37 PM

Originally posted by blitz
Sweet fence

Neighbour won't pay half so not a fuck was given.

Anyone know how to fix a dancing speedo? I don't know if I'm going slow or REALLY slow.

**schocker** · 07-28-2013, 11:50 PM

Originally posted by flipstah
Since the body is all aluminum, I could but it may be high-maintenance. Also, it has a lot of dings so it won't be Purdy. I think a simple paintjob would suffice.

Don't worry, it is still shinier than my volvo

**BerserkerCatSplat** · 07-29-2013, 08:51 AM

Originally posted by AndyL
Ok, so you know the proper "tuneup" for this is to run to PYP - find an S10 with the 2.5 - and take off the TBI & harness and computer... And eliminate that damn carb And a few lucas electronics at the same time (there's an assload of writeups out there on pirate4x4)

Hah, I knew there would be a homebrew TBI kit for this thing.

**AndyL** · 07-29-2013, 09:06 AM

You can retrofit those gm tbi's on anything... as long as you can workout the air/fuel (match cfm and injector size) and drill an adapter plate... saw a 240z recently with 3 ?cavaliers? TBI's To replace its triple SU's - but that required some megasquirt fancyness... the rest of them typically use the stock computer and harness...

**flipstah** · 07-29-2013, 09:16 AM

So keep in mind, I bought this to learn more about the basics of mechanics and to expand my knowledge.

The extent of work I've done with a car up to this point was the basic maintenance of oil changes, spark plugs, filter changes, belts and pumps so anything beyond that realm (transmission, for example and rebuilds in general) is new to me.

If I expand acronyms incorrectly, please let me know. On that note...

Is the TBI (throttle body) more dependable? I wanted to keep the engine stock so it's easier to work with and less things to worry about when repairing.

I don't want to make him more of a handful haha!

**ercchry** · 07-29-2013, 09:55 AM

throttle body injection... as in fuel injection... as in no more carb, as in, no jetting while changing shit, no vapor lock... etc, etc

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