Got My Lightweight!! Stay Tuned for Project Updates and Plenty of Questions!

[Jim-ME]

I think what the insurance co. doesn't know won't hurt them unless you do damage on the trail and then try to claim it.
Jim

[Mercedesrover]

CT DMV....Yup, sounds about right.
I register my trucks in NY State.

[jac04]

I now have 8 miles on it!
The only issues so far are:
- 'Loose' steering when going straight ahead. I adjusted the steering box, but haven't had a chance to test it yet. From what I remember, when the box is adjusted for good straight-ahead feel, it starts to bind near full lock. I'll adjust as best I can.
- Non-centered steering wheel. Easy adjustment, but tedious to get it just right.
- The Hi-Lo lever rattles at about 55-60 MPH. All my Rovers have done this.

Otherwise, there are just a bunch of unusual smells coming from this thing when it gets to operating temperature. That's what you get from fresh engine paint, radiator paint, etc. No fuel or coolant leaks.

[TriedStone]

Man I wish I could trade places with you right now and be putting the first 8 miles on mine.

[roverlandpark]

So did you reset the odometer to 0 or use the original mileage? Considering the resources put into this restoration, I think zero would be appropriate.

[jac04]

I replaced the speedometer with a brand new one that reads in MPH and is set up for 7.50x16 tires, so I'm starting at zero again (well, the new speedo actually had 2 miles on it). I'll have to check the accuracy with my GPS, but it seems to read too high. At 55-60 MPH indicated, it seems like I'm only going 45-50. I'm hoping it reads correctly, and this thing cruises really comfortably at 55-60.

I found out last night that my steering damper is actually limiting how far I can turn to the right. Turns out I had the drag link adjusted a little too short at the outboard end. A few adjustments and everything looks good now.

[jac04]

Anyone have a need for military fuel tanks? One tank weeps fuel from the opening in the bottom plate of the tank 'cradle' (it did this with only about 2 gallons in the tank). I didn't put fuel in the other tank, but I filled with water to check for leaks and found none. I then cleaned it out with acetone and warmed it up to dry it out.

Both tanks were blasted to bare metal, etch primed, and painted semi-gloss black. They have a few scuffs & chips in them now from being handled.

Here are the tanks:



Inside of the 'good' tank:


Inside of the tank that weeps:

[Tim Smith]

I left you a PM.

Maybe we can do a comparison of your lightweight and mine. I have to warn you though, I have quite a bit more than 8 miles on the clock.

[ktom300]

I replaced the speedometer with a brand new one that reads in MPH and is set up for 7.50x16 tires, so I'm starting at zero again (well, the new speedo actually had 2 miles on it). I'll have to check the accuracy with my GPS, but it seems to read too high. At 55-60 MPH indicated, it seems like I'm only going 45-50. I'm hoping it reads correctly, and this thing cruises really comfortably at 55-60.

I found out last night that my steering damper is actually limiting how far I can turn to the right. Turns out I had the drag link adjusted a little too short at the outboard end. A few adjustments and everything looks good now.

If it's like my 74 it will not cruise comfortably at 60 MPH. I've had mine to 65 by GPS but it was houling. 50 is more reasonable. At least it will feel and sound like 60+.
Then again if you have an overdrive that should improve a lot.

[jac04]

Update:

I now have 300 miles on the vehicle. Things were a little noisy at first, but then I re-adjusted the valves and found that the transmission cross-member on the new chassis was loose. So I tightened the cross-member bolts and everything is nice & quiet now. It drives like a dream and seems to have plenty of power from the Turner HP long block. I'm running a Pertronix ignition & coil, so I'm going to open up the plugs to .040" to see if there is a little more power to be found.

BTW, I have a bunch of parts left over if any one is interested:

http://www.landroversonly.com/forums/f16/bunch-new-series-parts-sale-cheap-42214/

[TriedStone]

Update:

found that the transmission cross-member on the new chassis was loose. So I tightened the cross-member bolts and everything is nice & quiet now.

You must not have made yourself a note for the cross-member bolts

[mongoswede]

Wow...that is clean.

You must not have made yourself a note for the cross-member bolts

[jac04]

You must not have made yourself a note for the cross-member bolts

No, I didn't. But the transmission mount bolts were tight!!

[rwollschlager]

pm sent regarding parts

[TJR]

Are the clutch slave and TO brg all good now? BTW was the allmakes one alum. or cast Iron??