What did you do to your Rover today?

[masonater]

It was a nice and sunny day so i rolled the 109 outside and fired up the sandblaster with some coal slag and went to town on it. Worked very well and what doesn't flake off now sure wont anytime soon. I especially liked how nice the leaf springs and axles turned out. Boy that military undercoating is some tough stuff! Now to decide what type of paint to use to coat everything? im thinking some Eastwood chassis black...

[ybt502r]

Over the last week, in the drive to work, the Rover had started making some alarming noises from the back area (grinding/squeaking), though only on occasion, usually in a left turn or when the frame was flexed. I couldn't find anything wrong during the week, so it had to wait until yesterday. Sliding around on my back with a shoplight, looking for something (and trying not to get oiled in the process), I finally found the problem - the long bolt that holds the top end of the right rear shock absorber was almost out. I figure the only reason the bolt was still there was because of the tire. My shock was almost (but not completely) detached. I figured the lock nut that went on the other end was long gone and I'd have to hunt around town to find a match. But in this case, and I've no idea why, I found it on the garage floor about three feet away. I cleaned up the grease from everything and put it back together. I had to reseat the top of the shock absorber. And I checked the other side, just in case (it was fine).

I don't think it would have done the truck any good had the top of the shock become detached at speed. I'm mostly bothering to write this up because I was amazed (and lucky) that the nut was in my garage and not on the road. It's hard to find parts of any kind for a SIII in Calgary.

[masonater]

Took apart the pedal assemblies and bead blasted them. Powder coating them either olive drab or black tomorrow.

Also went to rover heaven in southern Indiana where this guy has at least 10 RRC's 15 Disco I's in a junk yard. He had a cherry blue 1970! 2 door RRC with a build # in the 300's. A 1991 110 TD5 with a galvy frame. I doorless mudding RRC that was very cool, and the best part, 2 semi trailers full of series parts! one had 2 88 2a's complete and the other had a series 3 88 all in pieces along with tons of parts new and used. I was trying to hold back my excitement because i am going to buy just about everything i can afford. I wish i took pictures but i was so excited i forgot! He is a young guy and says no one ever buys series parts from him so im hoping ill get what i need for a great deal. Im going to score 2 complete doors RUST FREE with perfect window tracks, a radiator grill, rear bench seats, shifter boots (new), headlight trim, swivel ball gators, defender wheels, and im sure more stuff next time i go looking. If anyone wants to dig in to a gold mine of discos RRCs and series, and even unimogs! PM me and ill put you in touch with him.

[scott]

started it up. once the points were set up correctly it fires right up, let it idle for a couple of hours. drank beers

[NickDawson]

Im sitting in my office looking at my grease stained hands on the keyboard... and I dont have a lot to show for it

My dad and I spent the weekend doing some father son bonding over (or under) the Rover. We learned a lot so thats always a positive.

We started with, well, the starter. We got the field magnets and armature free from the reduction gears (right terms?) and cleaned everything well, but its still spinning without engaging.

We spent the rest of the time on the rear shocks...talk about hard. The frame bolts were easy. But the cotter pin and washer assembly on the axle mounts were so fused it was like someone had tack wielded them. We had to drill them (went through 6 bits)...but the hardest part was getting the rubber bushings compressed enough to put new cotter pins in place. Im sure there is a trick, but clamps weren't it.

I also swapped the hard top for the soft top - think I might just go year-round with the soft top and see how bad it is in winter. I love the look of the hard top, but mine is just too ugly and swapping isnt much fun.

All in all, a good educational weekend, but still a long way to go. Need to replace the starter before I can tackle the newly resurrected idle issue.

[bmohan55]

Put in my newish speedometer, now my cold start light glows dimly when ever the truck is running...guess it's back in to look for a loose ground? Changed out the themostat, the old one was stuck open all winter but I just thought my radiator was very very efficient!

Tonight I install my Gen-u-ine LR rear springs and new shocks all around, no more low-rider for me! (Nick, should I pick up some drill bits?)

Oh, drank beer & smoked cigars in the garage.

[NickDawson]

Tonight I install my Gen-u-ine LR rear springs and new shocks all around, no more low-rider for me! (Nick, should I pick up some drill bits?)

Oh, drank beer & smoked cigars in the garage.

Good luck with the shocks! Suggest the cobalt drill bits
When you break the last one, call me, I'll bring some along with more beer and cigars

Can't wait to hear about your springs - noticed that mine are getting a bit rusty and was trying to figure out what replacing them would be like. You'll have to tell us about the experience.

[NickDawson]

Also went to rover heaven in southern Indiana

Place sounds like spare parts nirvana! Pictures!!!

[amcordo]

Sending parts up to the chemical strip this weekend. Getting closer to a galvanized bulkhead, K posts, door frames, etc.

[Wander]

Picked up the cleaned and sealed tank, got some grade 8 nuts and bolts to replace the rusted ones and started getting the tank back in. I ended up mostly cleaning my fuel pickup and sender as they were both ugly. I thought the sender was toast but some time and effort revealed it was just very dirty so that save me some $$. I'll let the sender sit overnight with some WD on it and finish cleaning it tomorrow so I should have the tank back in shortly.

[masonater]

Place sounds like spare parts nirvana! Pictures!!!

I forgot to take some when i got there because i was freaking out, the place was just so cool. Im going back to fill my pickup full of parts and will take pics for sure this time!

[chester rides again]

Happy April

Took the dash panel off last night and replaced the side/head light switch with a new Proline one from our hosts. Way too easy!

Drove to work today ( that happens most days ) and will put the soft top on this weekend!!!! Spring has finally arrived on the Canadien border...

[thixon]

Screwed it up.

Last night while bolting up the driver side swivell, I broke to yack on the phone. When I got done, I inserted the axle, and to my dismay, it jamed. When I yanked it out, I found that the inner bearing (the one on the outside of the axle tube) had decided to ****e itself. Rollers everywhere, including, yes, in the axle tube and probably pushed into the diff housing. All I can figure is that i must have knicked it somehow inserting the axle. It was about 1am, and I was tired and hurrying. I ordered the bearing this morning, along with gaskets (including the one for the diff).

CCCCCCCCCCCCCRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAPPPPPPPPPPPP! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jim-ME]

Went for a drive and found a screw in my right rear tire. Got the tire plugged and right now all is good.
Jim

[masonater]

Cut the rust out of my front frame horn. Looks good under it, i hit it with the sand blaster and still all good. Then tried getting my u-joints out and gave up after i ran out of beer hit my hand with the hammer. Ill try again tomorrow after a good overnight soak of PB. Also got most of my smaller pieces powder coated satin black and they look sweet!