Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Long Short Drive.
On a nice day between two rainy ones, took the dog for a short drive after work. If you've twelve minutes to spare, or want to see what it's like driving a Land Rover, or are just having trouble falling asleep, come along for the drive. : )
Monday, September 3, 2012
Self Cancelling Vacuum Indicator Switch
Installed the new indicator switch today. The original still worked, but the vacuum element was broken, and so had to be turned off manually. This meant that, often enough, I'd forget to turn it off as the switch is not readily in view. The new switch was ordererd from Holden UK, here, and arrived quickly and was well packed. Quite a pricey unit, but as they are difficult to find and a working switch was needed, so be it.
I thought it would be just a matter of a few minutes to install, but the old Land Rover motto (at least for me) "what you think will be easy will in fact be difficult, and vice versa" came into play.
First, though, the new part is almost identical in appearance to the original. The original has the name Lucas on the back, the new simply has the made in UK info, but the body is the same bakelite-type material. The differences:
- The original had a galvanized large lock washer, the new appears to be simply plated.
- The screw-on ring of the new is not of the same quality as the original, but the original can be used on the new switch (as with the original lock washer).
- The openings on the lock-screws on the rear face inwards, whereas on the original they face outwards.
The problem area: the new unit didn't fit through the original hole in the auxiliary panel. And so the wires had to be undone again, and a file used to take off the required amount (approx 1mm from each 'flat' side of the threaded mount) from the switch body. The bakelite is somewhat fragile, and the filing caused some chipping, but only a very small amount. The filing also curled material into the threads, and so they had to be cleaned afterwards. Not a big problem overall, but still unexpected.
The new unit works perfectly, and it's nice to see the turn signals go off automatically. The only other area of potential concern is that it now takes a lot more effort to turn the signal switch lever itself, and I'm a bit worried the old plastic lever will not take the strain for too long. However, that remains to be seen, and new switch levers are available - but not in the original white, unfortunately.
Below, the original on the left, the new on the right.
I thought it would be just a matter of a few minutes to install, but the old Land Rover motto (at least for me) "what you think will be easy will in fact be difficult, and vice versa" came into play.
First, though, the new part is almost identical in appearance to the original. The original has the name Lucas on the back, the new simply has the made in UK info, but the body is the same bakelite-type material. The differences:
- The original had a galvanized large lock washer, the new appears to be simply plated.
- The screw-on ring of the new is not of the same quality as the original, but the original can be used on the new switch (as with the original lock washer).
- The openings on the lock-screws on the rear face inwards, whereas on the original they face outwards.
The problem area: the new unit didn't fit through the original hole in the auxiliary panel. And so the wires had to be undone again, and a file used to take off the required amount (approx 1mm from each 'flat' side of the threaded mount) from the switch body. The bakelite is somewhat fragile, and the filing caused some chipping, but only a very small amount. The filing also curled material into the threads, and so they had to be cleaned afterwards. Not a big problem overall, but still unexpected.
The new unit works perfectly, and it's nice to see the turn signals go off automatically. The only other area of potential concern is that it now takes a lot more effort to turn the signal switch lever itself, and I'm a bit worried the old plastic lever will not take the strain for too long. However, that remains to be seen, and new switch levers are available - but not in the original white, unfortunately.
Below, the original on the left, the new on the right.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Night Drive
It occurred to me that the Land Rover hasn't been driven at night since the basic restoration was completed. And so, this evening, took the Land Rover out in the dark, along country roads and then a second drive a while later, up the faster main road for a mile or two.
Nice to dicover that the headlights are really good, and do an excellent job, both in low and high beam. Instrument panel lights do their job equally well. A very enjoyable set of evening drives - the only worry being deer crossing the roads on the dark stretches.
Since it's first test drive on January 9 this year, the Land Rover has now done 727 kilometers. Most of those kilometers have been done since April.
Nice to dicover that the headlights are really good, and do an excellent job, both in low and high beam. Instrument panel lights do their job equally well. A very enjoyable set of evening drives - the only worry being deer crossing the roads on the dark stretches.
Since it's first test drive on January 9 this year, the Land Rover has now done 727 kilometers. Most of those kilometers have been done since April.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Carter's Birthday
Carter being the son of Steve and Nicole. Steve being the technician/mechanic/restorer who came down last winter to ensure that I had done a good job restoring the Land Rover. The Land Rover being what took us up to Steve and Nicole's today for Carter's birthday party.
Below, about ready to go, GPS on the windshield (it's my km/h speedometer), car seat for my daughter installed, and a yellow sticky with directions. Yellow sticky plus a GPS? Yup, the yellow sticky us easier to read at a glance in the bright light outdoors.
An hour's drive later, parked at Steve's, between a Mini and Jim's Jag. A hot drive up, as even with the window vents and windows open, a lot of heat is transferred into the cabin. This not helped by having the Kodiak heater on, as it helps to bring the coolant temp down in the hot humid conditions. Although it's possible to direct the Kodiak's outflow, enough hot air escapes around the baffles in the box to keep your feet warm. Nice in cold temperatures!
Just a further view, with a Porche 911 under wraps. Yes, Steve does those, too. Steve's old workshop in the foreground, and new top-of-the-line facility in the background.
The gathering. Why there is a yellow car jack stand in the middle of the lawn, I do not know, but I'm sure there's a good reason. Thank you, Nicole and Steve, for a very enjoyable afternoon.
Getting ready to come home. Actually a very comfortable vehicle to ride in. A bit slow on faster roads, but then, I just pull over to let the traffic go by and it's not a problem. Aside from being a little warm inside, and being a little slow at times, it really is nice vehicle to drive. Next summer, however, it may be nice to take the roof off, or even perhaps try a canvas roof that can have the sides rolled up.
Below, about ready to go, GPS on the windshield (it's my km/h speedometer), car seat for my daughter installed, and a yellow sticky with directions. Yellow sticky plus a GPS? Yup, the yellow sticky us easier to read at a glance in the bright light outdoors.
An hour's drive later, parked at Steve's, between a Mini and Jim's Jag. A hot drive up, as even with the window vents and windows open, a lot of heat is transferred into the cabin. This not helped by having the Kodiak heater on, as it helps to bring the coolant temp down in the hot humid conditions. Although it's possible to direct the Kodiak's outflow, enough hot air escapes around the baffles in the box to keep your feet warm. Nice in cold temperatures!
Just a further view, with a Porche 911 under wraps. Yes, Steve does those, too. Steve's old workshop in the foreground, and new top-of-the-line facility in the background.
The gathering. Why there is a yellow car jack stand in the middle of the lawn, I do not know, but I'm sure there's a good reason. Thank you, Nicole and Steve, for a very enjoyable afternoon.
Getting ready to come home. Actually a very comfortable vehicle to ride in. A bit slow on faster roads, but then, I just pull over to let the traffic go by and it's not a problem. Aside from being a little warm inside, and being a little slow at times, it really is nice vehicle to drive. Next summer, however, it may be nice to take the roof off, or even perhaps try a canvas roof that can have the sides rolled up.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
British Cars in the Park
Another annual Boot'n Bonnet club day, this time "British Cars in the Park" in City Park in central Kingston. Beautiful weather, and a truly great assortment of British makes and models on display, and many public visitors.
Some even found the Land Rover attractive. : )
Nice ambience.
Not the only Land Rover there - there was also a Defender, the modern version of the old design.
Steve at Classic Automotive Repair brought a display of his always excellent restoration work.
I wrote a short blurb about the history of the Land Rover, and placed it between the sliding windows of the doors. Seems to have been a good idea, lots of people took a second look around the vehicle after reading it. In the MG on the left, you can make out a mask in the driver's seat portraying Queen Elizabeth II. : )
The blurb:
The Boot'n Bonnet club tent and registration area. Lunch was provided. We won a raffle ticket draw (small bag for carrying drinks and the like). Generally a very nice day and a good time had by all.
Some even found the Land Rover attractive. : )
Nice ambience.
Not the only Land Rover there - there was also a Defender, the modern version of the old design.
Steve at Classic Automotive Repair brought a display of his always excellent restoration work.
I wrote a short blurb about the history of the Land Rover, and placed it between the sliding windows of the doors. Seems to have been a good idea, lots of people took a second look around the vehicle after reading it. In the MG on the left, you can make out a mask in the driver's seat portraying Queen Elizabeth II. : )
The blurb:
The Boot'n Bonnet club tent and registration area. Lunch was provided. We won a raffle ticket draw (small bag for carrying drinks and the like). Generally a very nice day and a good time had by all.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Series Two Club Badge
Nothing to report, really, other than it's a pretty nice grill badge. The club has two types, one of which affixes beneath the Land Rover badge, and this brass one. I opted for this. Looks nice close up, and but is still discreet from a distance.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Blog2print Book
Having been bombarded for some time with ads for blog2print, I finally had a look at their site. And then ordered a book for this blog. The result?
The result is a really nice book. Very good quality, very nicely done. 11.25" tall, 8.75" wide. Somehow a very enjoyable thing to look through, rather than clicking and scrolling a screen, plus it's a great souvenir of the project (to the cutoff date in the book, at least). If the Land Rover is ever sold, it's also something that can be shown to prospective purchasers. Too bad they can only do smaller photos, though - would have liked them to match the width of the print.
In the meantime, have been using the vehicle for things like picnics with my daughter. She loves the Land Rover, and often asks if we can drive a little longer before coming home.
Great picnic vehicle. : )
The result is a really nice book. Very good quality, very nicely done. 11.25" tall, 8.75" wide. Somehow a very enjoyable thing to look through, rather than clicking and scrolling a screen, plus it's a great souvenir of the project (to the cutoff date in the book, at least). If the Land Rover is ever sold, it's also something that can be shown to prospective purchasers. Too bad they can only do smaller photos, though - would have liked them to match the width of the print.
In the meantime, have been using the vehicle for things like picnics with my daughter. She loves the Land Rover, and often asks if we can drive a little longer before coming home.
Great picnic vehicle. : )
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