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. : )
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
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:
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Almost There
With the wheel alignment and seatbelts completed yesterday, today it was the turn of the brake adjustment (which I believe wass related to the brake light issue) and a tour underneath the Land Rover to make sure everything looks as it should. With that now done, there really only remains the door seals to do, and the filler strip in the window seals (waiting for correct tool). Some of those door seals will need riveting, and so may take a little while to get things together, but aside from that the vehicle is ready for the test drives. If we get a warmer day this week, off we'll go.
In honour of this stage being almost done, just thought I'd post a small tour of the exterior, as things are today. A little over 600 hours to do (big learning curve in there). The wrinkles and dents probably take away a little from all that, but on the other hand, this is the vehicle's 'patina' (although I had to get rid of some of the larger damage), just looks a little better with fresher and original-colour paint.
In honour of this stage being almost done, just thought I'd post a small tour of the exterior, as things are today. A little over 600 hours to do (big learning curve in there). The wrinkles and dents probably take away a little from all that, but on the other hand, this is the vehicle's 'patina' (although I had to get rid of some of the larger damage), just looks a little better with fresher and original-colour paint.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Seat Belts Completed
First, let me just say that I'm not an engineer or a safety specialist. The installation for the belt buckles comes from my estimation only, based on where I think the shear and pull forces could be during an accident. I am not an expert.
Below, the four 1/2" holes drilled for the seatbelt bolts in the space behind the seat box. The outer ones are for the left and right seat buckles, the center two are for the restrain system for the center seat. Beneath the holes is a 16.5"x2"x1/8" steel backing plate, for strength, through which the bolts will also pass. In this case, I also had to drill a 3/16 hole in the steel for the start handle support bracket (rearmost). The forward bracket will no longer be usable.
Here, the buckle stalks in place, with the center stations occupied by brackets for center seat restraints. These brackets can be replaced with any other seat belt hardware as required, this is just what I have for now. The buckle stalks are being held in place with tie wraps to stop them turning as their bolts are torqued. Start handle brackets back in place.
Start handle back in place, and an illustration of how the buckle stalks are situated within the seat cushions.
The final result. Perhaps I should remove the stickers on the buckles! I'll have to do some research on what the best system will be for the center seat, but at least the mounting points are in place.
Below, the four 1/2" holes drilled for the seatbelt bolts in the space behind the seat box. The outer ones are for the left and right seat buckles, the center two are for the restrain system for the center seat. Beneath the holes is a 16.5"x2"x1/8" steel backing plate, for strength, through which the bolts will also pass. In this case, I also had to drill a 3/16 hole in the steel for the start handle support bracket (rearmost). The forward bracket will no longer be usable.
Here, the buckle stalks in place, with the center stations occupied by brackets for center seat restraints. These brackets can be replaced with any other seat belt hardware as required, this is just what I have for now. The buckle stalks are being held in place with tie wraps to stop them turning as their bolts are torqued. Start handle brackets back in place.
Start handle back in place, and an illustration of how the buckle stalks are situated within the seat cushions.
The final result. Perhaps I should remove the stickers on the buckles! I'll have to do some research on what the best system will be for the center seat, but at least the mounting points are in place.
Spot anything new? Yes, the license plates are now on, which means that the Land Rover can go for a test drive whenever everything is ready. Don't quite know why everyone blanks out the letters/numbers on the plates in photos, but who am I to argue? The orange box is the battery charger/maintainer. Oh, and have also done the wheel alignment....
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Headliner Installed
Looking a little flimsy, but probably quite normal for its age and history, the rejuvenated headliner was re-installed today. Nice to finally hide the insulation.
Doesn't look so wrinkly in real life. And in case you notice that the support brackets at the top of the windshield aren't perfectly straight, that's the way they were originally installed. The original holes were used for the drive screws.
And while we're at it, you can also see that the seatbelts are installed. They are only missing the buckles between the seats, and that will be undertaken very soon.
Doesn't look so wrinkly in real life. And in case you notice that the support brackets at the top of the windshield aren't perfectly straight, that's the way they were originally installed. The original holes were used for the drive screws.
And while we're at it, you can also see that the seatbelts are installed. They are only missing the buckles between the seats, and that will be undertaken very soon.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Headliner
Tried something new today, in that it's the first time I paint vinyl. The paint used was Dupli-Color's High Performance Vinyl and Fabric spray. The result was quite nice to use. It's a thin spray, and it takes several light coats. By using light coats, the threads on the seams did not clog or even appear to gather paint other than turning white, and no surface detail is hidden. The paint itself is obviously very pliable. The end result is quite pleasing to the eye, and doesn't look like paint, at all. If it lasts a long time and resists cracking and scratching, I'll be happy.
Below, the headliner after painting. This headliner was white originally, not Limestone. The wrinkles were there before, and should pull tight(ish) when reinstalled.
The headliner fittings, after cleaning, de-rusting and two coats of Eastwoods Rust Converter (which has turned them black). After priming, they'll also be painted black, their original colour. The three parts at the top are for the 'eyebrow' headliners. These small headliners will not be installed immediately, as much work needs to be done to de-rust the metal there and re-glue the vinyl.
Below, the headliner after painting. This headliner was white originally, not Limestone. The wrinkles were there before, and should pull tight(ish) when reinstalled.
The headliner fittings, after cleaning, de-rusting and two coats of Eastwoods Rust Converter (which has turned them black). After priming, they'll also be painted black, their original colour. The three parts at the top are for the 'eyebrow' headliners. These small headliners will not be installed immediately, as much work needs to be done to de-rust the metal there and re-glue the vinyl.
Photo, taken before the restoration, below shows the'eyebrow' headliners at the top of the windscreen, just below the main headliner. These are sheet steel with vinyl fabric glued on.
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