'63 S2a 109 Station Wagon

Message

The_Anachronist · #1 Post by **The_Anachronist** » Wed Oct 21, 2015 10:27 am

And so it begins: Meet 26400157a, listed as 1963 but I suspect it is earlier (to be confirmed).

20151017-160906-IMG_3892.jpg: (227.44 KiB) Downloaded 8835 times

This is the one from the Saskatchewan British Car Club web page. Drove all the way from Langley to Saskatoon with my father-in-law to get it, dragging a 20' rented trailer. It was an adventure...

Left around 0730 on Monday morning, making a straight 16-hour shot to Saskatoon. Pete's truck broke down in the middle of the night in Kindersley, SK, about 2 hrs from Saskatoon. Spent an unplanned night there.

Tuesday morning arranged for truck repairs, and the previous owner was very kind and came out to pick us (and the trailer) up. Got into Saskatoon late afternoon. Took a look at the Rover and a parts donor vehicle, then spent the evening drinking beer, discussing the purchase and speculating on whether the dude at the dealer in Kindersley would actually have Pete's truck fixed on Wednesday morning as they claimed (turned out it was a bad injector, so not super-difficult to do). [Note the foreshadowing here].

Wednesday morning, the plan was to drive out to the parts donor vehicle site (on a farm outside Saskatoon) and get busy disassembling.

20151014-155233-IMG_3860.jpg: (127.46 KiB) Downloaded 8835 times

That went pretty well, honestly, only a little bit of Sawzall action but plenty of strong language. The wind... if you haven't experienced the prairie wind, complete with blowing sand and dehydrating humidity, it is difficult to explain the relentless pressure, the grit that gets everywhere, the way your sinuses turn into beef jerky and your eyes scrape with each blink. The previous owner took Pete to the bus station to go back to Kindersley and collect his truck, it being, incredibly, fixed when they said it would be. Really hard to believe that, it was. Still is.

So there I am, continuing on my own in the relentless wind and sand, unbolting and saving everything I can from the '67 109 pickup. It was quite meditative, actually, especially when I considered what would happen if I actually hurt myself. I had a first aid kit and the emergency kit from the tailer, but those are only useful if you can get to them. Anyway, I didn't hurt myself, and I was all packed up and waiting for the previous owner to return when I got the call from Pete.

His truck was repaired, except for the part where it pissed diesel all over the place when he started it up. The mechanic immediately diagnosed another failed injector (the things are about $800 a pop, by the way). And they didn't have another in stock, so it would be Friday before they could even start. Now, you guys don't know Pete, but if you ever meet him, you will understand that he has little patience for people who don't really try, especially when they say they are. So right there in front of the guy who is saying it can't be done, Pete finds another injector in Saskatoon, calls me to tell me where it is and to go get it and put it on the evening bus to Kindersley. Which I did, again with the kind assistance of the previous owner. The previous owner and I load up the trailer and haul it bask to Saskatoon, and I spend another night, this time with a cousin in town who I thought was still living in Alberta but I was wrong. Nice to see you, Jim!

So now it's Thursday morning - bear in mind that the trailer is due back in Langley on Friday morning - and Pete marches into the dealer in Kindersley as they open, plunks the "unavailable" injector down on the counter and suggests in his compelling manner that they get to fixing, which, unsurprisingly, they do.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, the P.O. and I complete the money and paperwork part, having agreed on a price, and set to figuring out how to load all the stuff into the trailer. I'm ok with this kind of thing, but Pete is much better qualified as a loadmaster and I am really hoping he shows up sooner rather than later. He finally pulls in around lunch time, and stuff starts getting done, including figuring out how to bring back that damned tub, which is one feck of a lot bigger than it appears. One last inspection, check all straps, bolt the doors, shake hands with the P.O. (whose kindness really can't be understated), and we hit the road for home.

20151015-203540-IMG_3879.jpg: (95.64 KiB) Downloaded 8835 times

We stop for fuel just outside town, which is when Pete notices that the truck is pissing diesel all over the place again.

The_Anachronist · #2 Post by **The_Anachronist** » Wed Oct 21, 2015 10:33 am

Now Pete is a man of few words. And having known him for a while, and particularly after spending many quality hours of solitude with him on this epic adventure, we don't say much. We simply head west, because there is no way we are going back. We are headed for the next big city with a proper GMC truck dealer who can put this sh*t right for good and all, and that place as it turns out is North Battleford, SK.

So there I am on the phone with the diesel tech at Bridges GMC in North Battleford, and as soon as he comes to understand what is happening he emphatically orders us to shut down the motor, right now, immediately. Which we do, pulling off the highway at a place called Ruddell, SK. There isn't anything in Ruddell, except for Vic. Vic is a young guy who has a little house he is renovating, a couple old tractors that are really cool, a supply of cold beer and a place to park the trailer for the night while the truck gets towed on to "North".

20151016-001652-IMG_3881.jpg: (79.28 KiB) Downloaded 8835 times

We stay at the casino/hotel there, blow our $10 voucher in about 4 minutes on the slots, have a decent meal and a couple drinks, and listen to the wind outside. Actually, that's an embellishment, because I have earplugs crammed into my skull due to the fact that Pete snores like a trip-hammer.

So now it is Friday morning, and we take a taxi over to the dealer. The senior tech there has taken pity on us, bumped us to the head of the line, and determined a few things:
1. There was nothing wrong with the second injector.
2. The diesel leak was because the tech at the dealer in Kindersley neglected to tighten the fuel line fitting.
3. The tech in Kindersley also left the air cleaner box open, causing an airflow sensor to mis-read, setting off an engine light and generally making the computer freak out on the fuel mix.
4. The tech in Kindersley also left a very nice 3/8' drive ratchet and a 13mm impact socket on top of the motor. Now mine.

20151016-160938-IMG_3882.jpg: (21.39 KiB) Downloaded 8835 times

All of the above were quickly and properly rectified, a new fuel filter fitted and an oil change done, and we are rolling again, back to Ruddell to grab the trailer and make a beeline west for home. Need a diesel mech in North Battleford? Bridges GMC. Need one in Kindersley? Tow truck to anywhere else.

Friday still, and as the sun sets we see the Rockies. We drive through Jasper and Mt.Robson parks (back in BC!) and everything is roaring along. I have contacted the trailer place, and they have kindly extended to Saturday morning without charge. We decide to stop in Kamloops for a few hours' sleep. Better safe after all this...

Saturday morning, we fire up the big diesel (chipped, with a big exhaust, it makes a racket but pulls the load like it isn't there), grab yet another revolting McDonald's breakfast and make what feels like a trivial run for home. We get in at about 8:30, get to unloading and Pete hauls the trailer off to return it before my kid has even poked her head out the door to see the Rover, which she pronounces to be "cool".

And that, right there, may have been the highlight of the whole trip.

LR01011000 · #3 Post by **LR01011000** » Wed Oct 21, 2015 11:27 am

The adventure has begun! Well done persevering through all your bumps along the way so far - looks like you have a great starting point for your project.

DrRangelove · #4 Post by **DrRangelove** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 11:37 am

Great story Mike!

What's the plan for the old girl?

Any more pics of the project - she looks like a beauty.

Cheers

Dave

The_Anachronist · #5 Post by **The_Anachronist** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 12:48 pm

Planning for a pretty major restoration, but not to a maniacal extent. I love the original metal-dash look, the banjo wheel, the utilitarian aspect of the IIa. I am struggling with whether I will replace all the interior trim stuff or leave it bare metal; it is largely complete, but in stinky shape. That's a long way off of course, and events along the way may change my mind more than once. I will go so far as to remove and re-galvanize all the steel bits, and strip/blast/prime/epoxy aircraft paint all the body parts. I have not settled on a colour, but am leaning toward "British Standard Aircraft Grey", which is not original but is a great colour for a Rover.

I will, however, be doing sensible upgrades such as going to negative-earth alternator, maybe parabolics, better headlights, modern Dynamat sound insulation and boosting the performance of the motor. Not planning on changing the motor, trans or diffs, but might splurge on a Roamerdrive one day. I don't want to make it into a modern vehicle, just a very drivable old one. I get tremendous satisfaction from cleaning, repairing and restoring old stuff, it's a mental break from my day-to-day work.

I know a couple aircraft mechanical engineers who really know how to rivet, so I will buy beer to get that stuff done. I need a good, local and sympathetic welder. And I need to get much of the crap out of my garage so I can get going on filling it up with this new crap.

I can't wait to get started. Pics soon.

Mike

TOLON · #6 Post by **TOLON** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 1:15 pm

Great truck, congrats!
What a trip! Reading it reminds me of my former life on the ole prairie, makes me very glad to be living in BC!
There's a lot of crud to be removed and parts cleaned so here's hoping you find some Zen!

Terry

The_Anachronist · #7 Post by **The_Anachronist** » Fri Mar 04, 2016 11:56 am

Been a while, but I have worked on the 109 on and off. Removed all the interior, the roof and sides, both wings. Tub is now completely unfastened (I think) and ready to come off, and the B-Pillar/sill pieces are off (I am sure there is a better method than I fought through to do these, but they are off with no damage). I pressure washed everything I could hit at this point just to get it cleaner and get a better look.

No nasty surprises, really... the B-pillar has rust in the usual place at the 45deg bend behind the rear doors. Looks repairable to me. Frame looks pretty damn good - rear x-member needs fix/replace, the stupid cow bar on the front has to be cut off and there may be issues with the original bumper mounts related to that. There are patches at the forward spring shackle mounts that I might want to have re-done to be sure they are done properly, but I really don't think I need a new frame.

In a triumph of cash over scarcity, I have found and purchased a complete NOS set of 638 and 639 flat glass sidelights and indicator beehives, the correct type with the notches. $85 USD each. Holy crap... but they are damn rare so I figured I better strike while I can.

I had a good conversation with Aart at UK Trek and Traction. He seems knowledgeable, likes Land Rovers and talking about them and has strong opinions on parts suppliers... he deals with OEM Land Rover stuff primarily, which he freely admitted was going to be "expensive". Just wondering what peoples' experience with them has been?

oldgravy · #8 Post by **oldgravy** » Mon Mar 07, 2016 5:26 pm

Whereabouts in Langley are you?

I'm at a similar place in my teardown, would be nice to keep in touch and share information. I'll have to work to keep my thread updated! :)

The_Anachronist · #9 Post by **The_Anachronist** » Tue Apr 19, 2016 10:12 am

IMG_4832.jpg: (147.33 KiB) Downloaded 8268 times

Score! The elusive flat-front, notched-with-2-screws North American type sidelights and beehive indicators. Not very cheap, but perfect.

From http://www.jollyrogersmotors.com. Nice people.

The_Anachronist · #10 Post by **The_Anachronist** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 8:43 am

The bulkhead is off! Breakfast, rad and grille are undone, but I need to remove the fan cowl to get it out. Couldn't face that at quarter to 11 last night.

The_Anachronist · #11 Post by **The_Anachronist** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 12:50 pm

Hello all, it's been a while. Renovated/sold/bought/renovated a couple houses (well, not quite finished the new one).

And now at long last the return of the Big Red One-oh-Nine is within sight. Madly working on getting my tiny little garage organized to the point where I can get a large Land Rover into it and still work on it. My brother is coming out from Ottawa in a couple weeks to give me a hand on it, so I now have a strict deadline to work toward!

I bought a new frame from Jeremy, and will shortly be asking him for an initial supply of parts. My god that frame is so pleasing... all clean and shiny and straight with nice new bushings already in it...

So, watch this space for new developments... finally!

The_Anachronist · #12 Post by **The_Anachronist** » Wed Nov 29, 2017 10:56 pm

New frame in the shop!

20171114_215004463_iOS.jpg: (227.61 KiB) Downloaded 6933 times

Motor disassembled. Took it to a frind of my father-in-law, who it turns out it one of the best engine machinists in North America (Johnny Cleveland). He usually builds huge race motors, but he says he can work on this little baby engine - zero-balance the crank and flywheel, shave, port and polish the head, replace valve guides, skim the block and all the other machinist stuff. Might end up being the smoothest-running lump of tractor motor ever...

20171116_002614667_iOS.jpg: (229.17 KiB) Downloaded 6933 times

I've been waiting a long time for this one... brand new Roamerdrive, picked up from the factory in West Van. So stoked for this, even though it's probably a year before I get to use it!

20171124_220211449_iOS.jpg: (164.79 KiB) Downloaded 6933 times

More work, and more pics to come.

John · #13 Post by **John** » Thu Nov 30, 2017 3:20 pm

There's nothing quite like building onto a new chassis. Don't let your engine expert friend machine the valve guide clearances without consulting the shop manual and sticking to the spec. values or you'll likley have sticky valves in short order.

oldgravy · #14 Post by **oldgravy** » Fri Dec 01, 2017 3:48 pm

That, sir, is a nice chassis.

The_Anachronist · #15 Post by **The_Anachronist** » Tue Dec 19, 2017 8:49 pm

Ok now this is a score: Found a pair of SU carbs, HS6 model, in excellent condition. I’m going to rebuild both and probably sell the spare. I’m so stoked - nice to run into some good luck! //uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201712 ... 280b9d.jpg

The_Anachronist · #16 Post by **The_Anachronist** » Fri Jan 05, 2018 2:26 pm

Crank and block back from machinist. Work continues on port/polish for the head.
//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201801 ... c22f56.jpg
//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201801 ... a97cd9.jpg

The_Anachronist · #17 Post by **The_Anachronist** » Sun Feb 04, 2018 8:27 am

Getting the head and block masked off for paint. This takes way longer than expected, just like everything else...
This is the head in high-heat primer. Might get to spray the block today.
//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201802 ... 6ecdea.jpg

The_Anachronist · #18 Post by **The_Anachronist** » Mon Feb 05, 2018 10:46 pm

Sprayed the head. I used “Detroit Diesel Alpine Green”, which I don’t like as much as the Light Admiralty Grey that it’s supposed to be, but a couple spray cans vs. the time and expense of getting a custom colour mixed... //uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201802 ... 5eb3f3.jpg

ANDYD · #19 Post by **ANDYD** » Mon Feb 05, 2018 10:53 pm

NICE! That's a thing of beauty! Hopefully it will purr like a kitten when running!

The_Anachronist · #20 Post by **The_Anachronist** » Thu Feb 08, 2018 11:38 pm

Not a very good picture, but you can see some of the grinding for the gas flow work on the head. It’s really a dramatic difference from before; all the sharp corners and rough casting marks have been smoothed, and the passage has been enlarged and straightened quite a bit. Johnny also skimmed the head - it was significantly not flat.
//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201802 ... e9087e.jpg

The_Anachronist · #21 Post by **The_Anachronist** » Sun Feb 18, 2018 11:04 pm

Block is sprayed. Couple days to cure, then engine assembly begins. //uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201802 ... dacf64.jpg

The_Anachronist · #22 Post by **The_Anachronist** » Tue Feb 27, 2018 10:47 pm

Crank is in! Bearing clearances were perfect, end float was nice and snug.
The rear main bearing cap and the cursed T-seals were a moderate pain in the rear. An assistant would have helped. I used feeler gauges and Ultra Grey to help things slide and to seal more effectively. Maybe it won’t leak! (yeah right)

The rear main seal was another pain. I have to say, that is a stupid design. It is going to leak. Maybe if I’m lucky it won’t pour out like I left the drain plug out. Followed procedures, plenty of Ultra Grey again, some choice words when locating the seal carrier halves, but it’s done.
//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201802 ... a8f004.jpg
//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201802 ... 3af3f9.jpg
//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201802 ... 8026ee.jpg

oldgravy · #23 Post by **oldgravy** » Thu Mar 01, 2018 8:48 pm

Looks nice!

The_Anachronist · #24 Post by **The_Anachronist** » Sun Mar 04, 2018 10:43 pm

Cam is in, rear cover, cam sprocket too. Tappet guides, rollers and tappets are in. Guide securing bolts in and lockwired- that was kind of fun but not easy, the bolt holes don’t line up in a convenient way to do a pretty job, and the head bolt bosses make it hard too. Still, they aren’t coming undone and it looks ok.

Anyone have advice for the distributor drive gear install? I’m not clear on the alignment or easiest procedure.

Gravy, I might need to take you up on the offer of borrowing or scanning the Haynes - the Green Bible is pretty weak in this area!
//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201803 ... 5f7120.jpg
//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201803 ... e1b766.jpg

oldgravy · #25 Post by **oldgravy** » Mon Mar 05, 2018 1:40 pm

I will scan a couple of pages for you this week!

The Rover-Landers of BC

The Rover-Landers of BC