Project: Wilks

[01001010]

Hey Guys!

Some of you may have seen my WANTED thread some time ago. I was looking for a Series truck. Well, I finally got one back in Jan.

Its a prestine (relatively speaking) 1965 Series IIa 109 Five Door. Its a RHD and runs a 2.25 Dsl.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/LRO96D1/P1180041.jpg

I was a sight-unseen purchase based on bad photos. It was a steal at the price the owner was asking so I rolled the dice and went for it. I was amazed to find the truck in excellent condition. All perches, outriggers, cross members and the rest of the frame is intact with minor surface rust or..Patina..lol

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/LRO96D1/P1180055.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/LRO96D1/P1180054.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/LRO96D1/P1180053.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/LRO96D1/P1180050.jpg

The Bulkhead is nearly perfect. The interior still has areas where the original paint is in like-new condition...

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/LRO96D1/P1190096.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/LRO96D1/P1190095.jpg

The engine does turn over but I havent really tried to get it to start yet since there has been A LOT to clean up...

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/LRO96D1/P1180047.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/LRO96D1/P1010149b.jpg

So far, the roof is off, the floor panels and hardware holding the tub down has been getting the PB Blaster treatment. I hope to have the tub off soon and get the frame up on stands so I can begin to disassemble the suspension | drivetrain components.

I plan to finish disassembly with a bare frame that will be cleaned, prepped and ready for the galvanizer.

I'm mainly over at the LRO boards but I will definitely keep this thread updated with all the work I do since there is an abundance of Series knowledge flowing through this board.

Back to work now...

[01001010]

One of the neat things about the truck is that on the windscreen, you can still find the sticker that was placed by the shipping company back in the UK before it was brought over...

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/LRO96D1/P1190089.jpg

[01001010]

My goal for the truck is to make it a DD-capable, overlander. And the inspiration is none other than Mr. Colby Morris' VERY fine truck...

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/LRO96D1/9-1.jpg

[Linus Tremaine]

I imported a 68 IIA in 2005. When it arrived, it had that same sticker in the window. Now its stuck on the cover of my green bible.

[Momo]

Good for you. Look forward to seeing your progress here. Resurrecting a Land Rover is probably far easier than most cars because of the way they're built but it is still a love-hate, knuckle-busting affair. In the end they are a far more usable classic than others and will give you many fine years of service.

[Tim Smith]

Congratulations! That is a fine find. Do let us know how you progress with the project.

:thumb-up:

[01001010]

Will do! Today I was finally able to remove the headliner and remove the side panels with the glass from the rest of the roof. Now the other bay is available again..lol.

Since I havent found a local galvanizer that'll do the job, I've been a little slow on the disassembly. I hope to have a bare frame REAL soon. I wont say I time because I always seem to curse myself.

Here it is with the roof off, right before I removed the floors...

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/LRO96D1/P1010171b.jpg

Pardon the mess.

[LaneRover]

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/LRO96D1/P1010171b.jpg

Pardon the mess.

What Mess? If you can see floor it isn't too messy!

[01001010]

On Tuesday, I started working on disassembly of the rear drivetrain. I took the driveshaft off and proceeded to remove axles and diff. I was VERY happy to find #1)minor leaks in the rear hubs (meaning everything is well preserved) and #2) PLENTY of gear oil within the axle housing! Everything looked as new as my Disco's diffs did! Managed to remove the shock absorbers withouth twisting or breaking the top mounting bolt. Chances are I'll still replace it with a new one.

I spent quite some time trying to manually remove the bolts holding the leafs onto the hangers but I'll have to wait until I get my new grinder. Those badboys are ON there!

Also, thanks to my brother in law, we discovered clues to the truck's history!

While I was working on the suspension, he had just arrived from work and was entering through the garage and stopped to admire the organized mess..lol. He was looking at the tub and discovered that underneath the thick layer of paint, there seemed to be vynil decals! Holding a light up to it and reading it from above we discovered that the letters read...
To the left of the cargo door "Complete Security" and to the right of the Cargo door "Site Services"

So there it is! This truck, although it has every bit of the interior, was a fleet truck at some point! I'm doing as much research as I can now! If you know anything about "Complete Security Site Services" please let me know. Thanks!

Here are two pictures from the last batch I uploaded...

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/LRO96D1/P4290020.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/LRO96D1/P4290018.jpg

[01001010]

So another fellow enthusiast - a very knowledgable one, at that - has pointed out that my frame MAY be from a 109' 3-door with the body of a SW. The Gas tank on the 109's should have been at the rear and the cross members are a little different. I was also trying to look for identification numbers on the frame itself and could not find any at the front horns.

Also, how do I identify if this engine is a 5-bearing or not? Here's a shot of the numbers on the block...

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/LRO96D1/P1010174.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/LRO96D1/P1010175.jpg

[sven]

Also, how do I identify if this engine is a 5-bearing or not? Here's a shot of the numbers on the block...

A 5 bearing engine will have extra webbing cast into the block just above the oil pan.

Like this: http://www.roversnorth.com/store/p-5841-long-block-225l-petrol-series.aspx

[01001010]

Thank you sven!

Do those two different variations even apply to the Diesels?


Tonight, I took the rear brakes and hubs off WITHOUT braking any bolts! Eureka!! Soon that rear axle will be off. Actually, I think I may have to remove the engine/trans/TC first since I'm afraid that all the frontal weight will make the frame pivot foward right off the stands...lol

I really think I'm going to go with a Sals rear now (after all the reading and comparing I've done).

After I get the bulkhead off, I should have a bare frame soon.

[01001010]

Ok, so before I begin to prepare the engine for removal (draining fluids. loosening) I would like to get it to start and run ONCE. I started to bleed by the filter, and moved my way over to the Distributor pump. I loosened the bleed screw on the pump body and the moved to the one on te control cover. Once loosened, I began to pump using the level and nothing came out. So I then loosened one of the injector fittingsand discovered that nothing came out when I pumped.
Has anyone discovered problems with the distributor pump at the control cover area? Any common problems in this area?

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/LRO96D1/P5060047b.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/LRO96D1/P5060048b.jpg

[01001010]

Well,
I got all the bleeding points to bleed and still no engine start. I took all the injector pipes off to make sure none of them were clogged. Earlier I did not think about having to turn the engine over to see any fuel squirt from the injector pipes...so a quick browse through the forums led me to the procedure.

Still no engine start and I'm stumped... Its got fuel and the battery has juice to crank. Then I thought...Air...

I put my hand on the intake manifold while my brother in law cranked the ignition. I didnt feel any pull! I was boggled. How could this be?...

After removing the valve cover, I found my answer...

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/LRO96D1/P5100054b.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/LRO96D1/P5100055b.jpg


So after a quick look through the "Spare" parts provided, I found a single set of these...

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/LRO96D1/P5100066b.jpg

Go figure! I had to drain all of the excess diesel that flooded in the engine. Luckily, there's a bleed valve for this process too! I LOVE this engine!

[SafeAirOne]

Glad to see you've got the engine issue worked out...Just a "heads-up" for you: A 109 with a 2.25 diesel will probably go as fast WITHOUT those push rods as it will WITH them. :p

I've got a 109 with a 2.5 NA diesel fitted and it's difficult to overtake the street sweeper WHILE HE'S SWEEPING THE STREETS! I don't imagine that the 2.25 diesel will do any better.

The thing these engines DO have going for them is their extreme simplicity and phenominal reliability. I've put on at least 1500 off-road miles in the remote corners of the Anza-Borrego Desert with my 109 and never had to walk home.

These diesels will not take you anywhere fast, but they will take you anywhere!

Keep up the good work on that 109 :thumb-up:

[01001010]

Thanks Mark!

I'm going to try cleaning the pushrods, putting them in and seeing if that'll get the engine to go. I hope thats the only thing missing. The engine rocks a little when cranking so there's definitely a crankshaft and pistons in there..lol

[01001010]

Work continued today with cleaning and installing the push rods. After cranking it a few times it just wouldnt go...so I decided to remove the head and see just what was going on in there.

I found the following...


Several of the head bolts were way under-spec and came off quite easy
The fowardmost tappet assembly is damaged


http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/LRO96D1/P5110068b.jpg
The block desperately needs a flush
The distributor pump is loose

On the plus side,

The cylinder walls look fantastic and the head is in great shape.


http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c383/LRO96D1/P5110070b.jpg

Since I'm going to have to get in there, I've decided to just do an engine overhaul. Might as well rebuild it while im in there. But that will be happening at a much later time. As of now, engine work is done and I will continue to move foward and finish removing everything from the frame.

[01001010]

Also, It's nice going from working on a V8 to one of these.

[xsbowes]

J/01001010,
Good luck with your rebuild/restore.

and there are only 10 types of people when it comes to binary, those who understand it and those who don't.

-Stacy

[01001010]

haha...thanks Stacy.

Moving foward tonight. Bulkhead should be off by the end of the day hopefully.

[G.G. Sprock]

Hello All,

Was just looking through the thread for this project and... Wow! a lot has happened since then. I bought the truck from JC and have moved it to Tidewater, VA. The complete thread with new photos can be found at:

http://www.landroversonly.com/forums/f7/project-wilks-21863/

JC and I share a common goal and vision for this truck. I will keep you all posted as progress is made.

Best regards,

Greg Sprock

[01001010]

Once again Greg, I can't be more thankful that an enthusiast such as yourself has taken over this project. As you've mentioned, this will be a FINE truck!

[Tim Smith]

Greg,
Not sure if it has been said yet but welcome! We look forward to your progress either though posts to this board or through links back to whatever other board you are using.

Please keep us posted as we love this kind of stuff too!

Rover owner's hallucinogen if you ask me.
:)

[G.G. Sprock]

Hello All,

Well, I pulled the head off and found that the camshaft is out of time, which caused #1 exhaust valve to crash and muss up the tappet. I have ordered new parts and took pieces over to the shop to wash and blast. I brought back my engine lift and a stand and hope to pull the motor, transmission, and transfer case today. After that, I will pull the bulkhead and get to work on the frame. This is a "frame off"" restoration, after all. ;-)

Best regards,

Greg

ps Again, thanks to JC. I hope things are going well for you and the family.

[G.G. Sprock]

Check it out folks - new pictures which simulate progress!

http://www.landroversonly.com/forums...t-wilks-21863/ (http://www.landroversonly.com/forums/f7/project-wilks-21863/)

[Tim Smith]

Looking good Greg!
Please let us know how the acid dipping research goes.

[G.G. Sprock]

Yeah, got to figure out how I am going to tell my wife I am going to research local strip joints...

[Tim Smith]

Just tell her "It's Science."
What could possibly go wrong.
:)

[G.G. Sprock]

Hello All,

I am getting a little bit done every day. The whole log is still at http://www.landroversonly.com/forums/f7/project-wilks-21863/
so you can see blow-by-blow, but I am confident to say the engine is about done and I am going to go after the firewall next. Then I pull the transmission, fit the new overdrive (Thank You Michael!) and start tearing out the axles. I still have had no success with either the acid dip or galvanizing, but continue to seek.

My wife's response about strip joints was priceless, by-the-way. She said, "Don't bring your rowdy Rover buddies around. I still remember those crazy Ruggers." As background information, I played Rugby all through college.

[G.G. Sprock]

Hey Guys!

Long time, no see. I have been dealing with lots, but the Rover Gnomes delivered a pile of new parts last night and I am agog with possibilites. This is not to imply I have done anything new, mind you, but I will.

[G.G. Sprock]

Okay, I finished up this semseter's grad coursework, so will get back on the truck as soon as the weather breaks. Keep your finger crossed.

[G.G. Sprock]

Okay Guys,

I finally made some time for the project and pulled the firewall out yesterday. Here it is sitting in my shop, now I have to strip it before I strip it. The windshield frame is ready for cleaning as well.

Wish me luck!

Greg

[Tim Smith]

Luck!

Don't forget to mark all those lovely bits so you know where they are supposed to go, before they end up in the trash. :p

[G.G. Sprock]

Well, I do take lots of photos... but you would not believe how many bags of "Misc." parts I have...

I got a new camera and have to downsize the photos, but will update that soon too.

[G.G. Sprock]

By now you guys have given up on me, but...

My buddy from the paint shop came to the machine shop on Friday and wanted me to come take a look at the truck bed portion of my project... wow. It looks great. So he needs more parts now.

I have five doors and the roof plus a few odds and ends. With luck, we should start putting on top coat in the next month or so!

[G.G. Sprock]

Ha! Wishful thinking. Still hampered by money, but making slow progress never-the-less. Having a bear of a time getting the front suspension off the blooming beast...

[G.G. Sprock]

I am making some progress here. Still have to get the bushings out of the frame (grrr) and lack tons of parts, but everying sent by RN works just like advertised. Now if I can only find another OEM wiper motor...

[01001010]

Wow! Haven't been here in a while! Any updates on Project Wilks?

[stomper]

After 6 years, it's either finished, or sold off as parts.

[cedryck]

Looks like a great starter truck. Mine was in the same shape when I purchased 20 years ago. In the process I placed many new parts on truck, all electrical, wiring loom, all plumbing and hydraulics, used motor, rebuilt tranny, and drive train parts, and of course interior and paint.
Take your time, and work within a budget, and then talk with others as you are doing. Keep posting pics, good luck.