Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Dreamer
Received the winter edition of excellent magazine "Built Two Last" from the Series 2 Club in the U.K. today. The editor, Dan, had asked if the photo of my daughter could be used on the rear cover, but it was a real treat to dicover that the photo is in fact the entire rear cover! There will be one happy little girl around here when she sees that. Thank you, club! If you own a Series 2, it's a club you simply must be a member of, and has been a tremendous resource in helping restore this Land Rover.
Head Gasket Replacement
A low top speed in 4th gear suggested that something was wrong. Adjusting the timing didn't help. A drop in compression in cylinders 2 and 3, and no indication of problems in the oil or coolant, suggested a blown head gasket. Taking the cylinder head off showed that was in fact the case, and so the gasket is in the process of being replaced.
It's turned out slightly longer to do than normal, first due to a slight bit of damage to the fibre covering the metal core of the replacement gasket the first time around, which allowed the coolant to leak out. The fibre covering is quite delicate and comes away from the metal core easily.
Head off again, a replacement gasket was installed, and all seemed well, but then when starting the engine, there was a fairly loud ticking noise which suggested that something metal was hitting something metal in the head or rocker cover.
An initial investigation seemed to indicate a pushrod wasn't seating correctly in the tappet cup, but when the head was off again a detailed look at the tappets, rollers, pushrods, rockers and camshaft surfaces indicated that everything looked in great shape. I may have just maladjusted the tappet clearances, in spite of it being relatively easy to do, but to be safe I've asked that Steve come over and have a look at things, to be sure.
Other than that, taking the head off is not a difficult operation, but having done it three times in one week, I've found ways to make it more efficient each time! It's also been a great excuse to clean everything up.
Below, cylinder head removed, and engine block covered while waiting for Steve's next visit. Cylinder head is suspended from engine hoist.
A handy way to make sure all bolts and pushrods are reinstalled in the same order they came out. The rocker assembly was later taken apart, cleaned and inspected. The springs don't exert much force, so disassembly and re-assembly was pretty easy.
Rocker assembly removed, and head disconnected from everything.
The old copper head gasket. Can you see where it's burned through? : )
Carbon on the pistons:
In case you missed the burn-through: : )
After the initial cleanup. Tappets and rollers have been taken out, cleaned and inspected, and the camshaft surfaces inspected, as well.
It's turned out slightly longer to do than normal, first due to a slight bit of damage to the fibre covering the metal core of the replacement gasket the first time around, which allowed the coolant to leak out. The fibre covering is quite delicate and comes away from the metal core easily.
Head off again, a replacement gasket was installed, and all seemed well, but then when starting the engine, there was a fairly loud ticking noise which suggested that something metal was hitting something metal in the head or rocker cover.
An initial investigation seemed to indicate a pushrod wasn't seating correctly in the tappet cup, but when the head was off again a detailed look at the tappets, rollers, pushrods, rockers and camshaft surfaces indicated that everything looked in great shape. I may have just maladjusted the tappet clearances, in spite of it being relatively easy to do, but to be safe I've asked that Steve come over and have a look at things, to be sure.
Other than that, taking the head off is not a difficult operation, but having done it three times in one week, I've found ways to make it more efficient each time! It's also been a great excuse to clean everything up.
Below, cylinder head removed, and engine block covered while waiting for Steve's next visit. Cylinder head is suspended from engine hoist.
Rocker assembly prior to removal. Tie wraps prevent the springs from pushing the assembly apart when lifted.
A handy way to make sure all bolts and pushrods are reinstalled in the same order they came out. The rocker assembly was later taken apart, cleaned and inspected. The springs don't exert much force, so disassembly and re-assembly was pretty easy.
Rocker assembly removed, and head disconnected from everything.
The old copper head gasket. Can you see where it's burned through? : )
Carbon on the pistons:
In case you missed the burn-through: : )
After the initial cleanup. Tappets and rollers have been taken out, cleaned and inspected, and the camshaft surfaces inspected, as well.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Short Video
Had made a few small changes to the carburator and timing, so just went around the block a couple of times to make sure I hadn't made anything worse.
Turn signal doesn't automatically turn off, and I forgot.... : ) And the aspect ratio of the video looks a little squashed....
-10 C, fairly cold but at least the wind had died down. Lots of ice left from two days ago, however, as can be seen by my attempts to get back in the garage.
Turn signal doesn't automatically turn off, and I forgot.... : ) And the aspect ratio of the video looks a little squashed....
-10 C, fairly cold but at least the wind had died down. Lots of ice left from two days ago, however, as can be seen by my attempts to get back in the garage.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Leather Steering Wheel Cover
Given that we had an ice storm yesterday and a howling blizzard today, and the temperatures will be around -12 C for the next few days, the Land Rover isn't going anywhere for the time being. And so, took the opportunity to put on the leather steering wheel cover, purchased from Pangolin 4x4 .
It took about an hour to do, and is a very nice kit. The leather has a nice feel, the instructions are clear (a rarity), and comes with waxed thread and needle. Pretty straight-forward to do, the only casualty being the skin on a finger from constantly having to pull the thread tight!
It took about an hour to do, and is a very nice kit. The leather has a nice feel, the instructions are clear (a rarity), and comes with waxed thread and needle. Pretty straight-forward to do, the only casualty being the skin on a finger from constantly having to pull the thread tight!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Test Drive Four and Five
No photos today, but did take the Land Rover out twice. The first was a 25 km (15 mile) trip through the countryside that also included two stretches of faster roads.
Temp: -5 C, cloudy
Fastest she would go was 73 km/h (just over 45 mph) sustained, measured via GPS, which isn't fast for a Land Rover, but then again the carburator wasn't adjusted and timing may need further tweaks. That's programmed for the end of next week. I don't know what the rolling resistance of these soft knobby tires is, either. Ran smoothly, just as loud as everyone said it would be, no smoke, tracked nice and straight. In fact, once warmed up, there is hardly any exhaust smoke at any speed.
The squeek/squeal from yesterday turns out to be the yellow-knobbed four wheel drive selector rod, or rather the spring or thimble around it. Just enough vibration to make a noise (and a loud one) as it rubs; easy to take care of.
After the high speed run, the windows were fogging up pretty well; I now know why the previous owners had installed the fan. The water temperature gauge indicated 100 degrees. I then noticed something that could have been either steam or smoke coming out the heater pipes, nothing dramatic but enough to see. A stop by the edge of the road revealed nothing amiss, and a call to Steve the mechanic later indicated an inspection of the Kodiak core is in order, and otherwise there may just be paint/lubrication heating up somewhere as things get their first use at higher operating temperatures.
In spite of some adjustments to the suspension this morning, she still lists slightly less than 1 inch (at the wheel arch top) towards the driver's (LH) side. Not much, but quite noticeable from behind. I'll be loosening all the suspension bolts and taking her out for a bumpy ride, to see if that will settle things.
Second trip:
Temp -2, sunny
Wasn't planning to go out again, but daughter asked if we could, and who am I to say no? : ) Just a 5 km run around the neighborhood, plus a jaunt into the countryside to briefly try out the off-road capabilities in a field, but daughter found that a little too bumpy. Land Rover clearly enjoyed it, however, as did its owner. : )
Temp: -5 C, cloudy
Fastest she would go was 73 km/h (just over 45 mph) sustained, measured via GPS, which isn't fast for a Land Rover, but then again the carburator wasn't adjusted and timing may need further tweaks. That's programmed for the end of next week. I don't know what the rolling resistance of these soft knobby tires is, either. Ran smoothly, just as loud as everyone said it would be, no smoke, tracked nice and straight. In fact, once warmed up, there is hardly any exhaust smoke at any speed.
The squeek/squeal from yesterday turns out to be the yellow-knobbed four wheel drive selector rod, or rather the spring or thimble around it. Just enough vibration to make a noise (and a loud one) as it rubs; easy to take care of.
After the high speed run, the windows were fogging up pretty well; I now know why the previous owners had installed the fan. The water temperature gauge indicated 100 degrees. I then noticed something that could have been either steam or smoke coming out the heater pipes, nothing dramatic but enough to see. A stop by the edge of the road revealed nothing amiss, and a call to Steve the mechanic later indicated an inspection of the Kodiak core is in order, and otherwise there may just be paint/lubrication heating up somewhere as things get their first use at higher operating temperatures.
In spite of some adjustments to the suspension this morning, she still lists slightly less than 1 inch (at the wheel arch top) towards the driver's (LH) side. Not much, but quite noticeable from behind. I'll be loosening all the suspension bolts and taking her out for a bumpy ride, to see if that will settle things.
Second trip:
Temp -2, sunny
Wasn't planning to go out again, but daughter asked if we could, and who am I to say no? : ) Just a 5 km run around the neighborhood, plus a jaunt into the countryside to briefly try out the off-road capabilities in a field, but daughter found that a little too bumpy. Land Rover clearly enjoyed it, however, as did its owner. : )
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Test Drive Two and Three
Another perfect day for testing, and so went out this morning for about 5 miles, and then again with my daughter later in the afternoon, about another 5 miles. Issues found so far are that the speedometer doesn't work (but the odometer does, so it's not the cable), and a loud squeak-squeal from somewhere that sounds like the instrument panel, so that may be the speedo cable. Doesn't sound like brakes or bearings, the sound is almost in the cockpit. We'll have to have a look.
Drives well, though, just a pleasure.
The second ride, with my daughter, was her "thank you for being a such patient helper" ride, and she loved it. Dreaming is one thing, it's always nicer when they come true. Her 'booster seat' fit right in and the seatbelts fit perfectly. One amusing comment was that it was all "really 3D!"
Drives well, though, just a pleasure.
The second ride, with my daughter, was her "thank you for being a such patient helper" ride, and she loved it. Dreaming is one thing, it's always nicer when they come true. Her 'booster seat' fit right in and the seatbelts fit perfectly. One amusing comment was that it was all "really 3D!"
Monday, January 9, 2012
First Test Drive
Big moment today! I know, I know, I was supposed to film the first drive, but the day was nice and I decided that being able to focus completely on what I was doing would be more prudent. And so:
Temperature: 4 C, nice sunny day.
Started well, as usual so far, ground the gears getting into reverse the first time, but after that it went in smoothly. I went backwards and forwards a few feet in the garage to make sure the brakes and hand brake were doing things, and then backed gingerly out of the garage.
Had a quick inspection outside, all looked ok, so backed the Land Rover onto the street, and went for a drive around the block. Started in 2nd gear, kept it there, only de-clutching at the stop sign. Finished the tour, was about to go back up the driveway into the garage - and then decided a second trip around the block was necessary. : )
This time I started in 1st, shifted up to 3rd, back down as we went along, and no problems. Brakes don't have much bite, but I expect that's because they are new and still must bed in.
After that, a cautious and reluctant trip back into the garage.
All seems well, I only notice that there is a gentle list to one side, which I think may be because I had forgotten to tighten the spring bolts. I'll look after that this evening.
Anyway, on with the show:
Temperature: 4 C, nice sunny day.
Started well, as usual so far, ground the gears getting into reverse the first time, but after that it went in smoothly. I went backwards and forwards a few feet in the garage to make sure the brakes and hand brake were doing things, and then backed gingerly out of the garage.
Had a quick inspection outside, all looked ok, so backed the Land Rover onto the street, and went for a drive around the block. Started in 2nd gear, kept it there, only de-clutching at the stop sign. Finished the tour, was about to go back up the driveway into the garage - and then decided a second trip around the block was necessary. : )
This time I started in 1st, shifted up to 3rd, back down as we went along, and no problems. Brakes don't have much bite, but I expect that's because they are new and still must bed in.
After that, a cautious and reluctant trip back into the garage.
All seems well, I only notice that there is a gentle list to one side, which I think may be because I had forgotten to tighten the spring bolts. I'll look after that this evening.
Anyway, on with the show:
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