1956 109 Partial Restore

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NWOnt_1956 · #1 Post by **NWOnt_1956** » Wed Oct 19, 2022 8:08 am

Hi, thanks for letting me join. I'm not in BC but I used to live in Prince George so have a connection with your great province. I recently picked up a 56 109 that has been in my family since early 1970's. It has been sitting since 1990 and not driven.
I brought it home to Thunder Bay and I'm starting to make a list of repairs to get it back on the road. Surprisingly the frame ans bulkhead look to be in good shape some surface rust but seems solid. I think this is mostly stock and I do not think there are many miles on it as it was only used for hunting while my family owned it.
Thinking of a partial restore and getting it back on the road. I am going to pull it into the garage for the winter and see how far I can get with it. The engine was running before it was parked but considering taking it out and going through it, new valves, rings, gaskets etc.
Will need brakes, suspension, replace exhaust manifold, and lots of little items.
Though I would share and might ask some questions along the way.
Cheers
Keith

jacobko · #2 Post by **jacobko** » Wed Oct 19, 2022 11:23 am

Awesome! If you need guidance, feel free ask me questions and to check out my ongoing build in the projects section titled "1958 Series 1 88" "red&red"". Also ANDYD has posted his full rebuild titled "1956 Series One Rebuild Project" which has helped me as I go along with my build.

NWOnt_1956 · #3 Post by **NWOnt_1956** » Thu Oct 20, 2022 6:13 am

Thanks, I had a read through your posts and the other one you mentioned. Lots of great information that will surely help me, thanks for posting your progress. I have been making a list of obvious things I will need and have started to find where I can source them. Seems like a few options but looks like most are out of the country.

bsa_m21 · #4 Post by **bsa_m21** » Thu Oct 20, 2022 8:27 am

Looking good.

FYI - Another great resource, and closer to you, is the Ottawa Valley LR Club (OVLR.ORG).

NWOnt_1956 · #5 Post by **NWOnt_1956** » Wed Nov 09, 2022 9:13 pm

Hi, after getting some other projects completed moved the LR into the garage. A few nights of work and starting to remove some body panels. Starting to make a shopping list of what to replace.

ANDYD · #6 Post by **ANDYD** » Mon Nov 14, 2022 9:15 pm

Nice, that's a great start!
I see lots of history unfolding, lots of different paint colours, it looks like its had an exciting life!
Have fun, what a great winter project 8) (if your garage is heated)

NWOnt_1956 · #7 Post by **NWOnt_1956** » Fri Nov 25, 2022 6:29 pm

Making some progress on the tear down. Next will open up engine and see what it looks like. Ordered parts to get suspension, brakes and steering back in shape. Frame looks in great shape. Will replace foot wells as they are starting to rust and a few holes appearing. Hope to paint the frame once I start working on suspension. So far so good.

NWOnt_1956 · #8 Post by **NWOnt_1956** » Sun Dec 04, 2022 7:36 am

Winter had arrived, so more time to spend in the garage.. Making some progress, engine is out, and have it down to the block and crank. I found a tag on the engine, looks like it was rebuilt at some point and bored .020 over. Cylinders still have some hatch marks so that is good news. Exhaust valves are a a tan color so not sure if they are original or have been replaced? Camshaft looks like it has some wear but not sure how much is too much. Parts are starting to show up for the suspension, brakes,steering and front end. Hoping to get front pulley off engine today and inspect the cam. Still debating if I need to remove crank and pistons or just clean up cylinder where carbon has built up.

StuartC · #9 Post by **StuartC** » Sun Dec 04, 2022 12:30 pm

Being that far in to the engine I think I would seriously consider pulling the crank, check the bearings, inspect the pistons and rings......never know if you have a spun bearing or a piston/ring issue......until you look.....

bsa_m21 · #10 Post by **bsa_m21** » Sun Dec 04, 2022 6:16 pm

Given the apparent condition of the piston crowns, I expect that at a minimum you’ll need a new set of rings. 🧐

NWOnt_1956 · #11 Post by **NWOnt_1956** » Sun Dec 04, 2022 8:29 pm

I decided to take it all apart. Got the timing gears off today and worked on the head. The valves were very stiff I had to tap them out as there was lots of carbon build up. Also cleaned the pistons and cylinder walls to assess. All looks good now but will know better when I get the pistons out. I hope to get the camshaft out tomorrow.

RobinS · #12 Post by **RobinS** » Thu Dec 08, 2022 5:59 am

Hi Keith , just a word about the 2 litre camshaft. they are a weak point in the engine along with the tappets. I had mine reground back to factory spec. Colt Camshafts here in Aldergrove B.C. have the grinding profile for these cams although you could most likely find someone near to you that can do them also. When you put it back together , it's highly recommended to use a zinc additive in your oil to protect the flat tappets and cam. Cheers Robin

NWOnt_1956 · #13 Post by **NWOnt_1956** » Sun Dec 11, 2022 8:16 pm

Hi Robin, thanks for the info, i just finished the total teardown this weekend and the cam and cam followers are worn down. I got pricing on a new cam and followers but yikes expensive from the UK. I was going to look into getting it re-ground but I wasn't sure this was possible with this ole gal. Are they able to rebuild the surface on the followers (tappets) as well?

Cheers Keith

RobinS · #14 Post by **RobinS** » Tue Dec 13, 2022 5:52 am

I phoned Colt Cams for you yesterday and the price to bring your camshaft back to new is $275.00 but unfortunately he can't do the followers. I sent you a PM

Tony4921 · #15 Post by **Tony4921** » Tue Dec 13, 2022 9:09 am

I have several rocker levers, there are left, right, intake and exhaust I think. Which ones do you need. I also have 2 or 3 cams, but they are worn as usual. Post some pics and I will see if I have any better parts for you.

NWOnt_1956 · #16 Post by **NWOnt_1956** » Tue Dec 13, 2022 2:00 pm

Appreciate the info and help. Attached are some photos of engine component's. Trying to sort out what to order and what to fix.. Depends how much my banker will allow. Have lots to work on over Xmas, want to get the final parts off and start to work on the front end. The cam followers almost all look like the ones posted. And most cam lobes show some wear.

NWOnt_1956 · #17 Post by **NWOnt_1956** » Tue Dec 13, 2022 2:04 pm

More photos

Tony4921 · #18 Post by **Tony4921** » Tue Dec 13, 2022 4:44 pm

That cam will regrind no problem, the guy Robin recommended is good. Craddocks sell the exhaust rochers 15-18 GBP each. I would put in a whole new set. The ones I have are worn also.

NWOnt_1956 · #19 Post by **NWOnt_1956** » Sat Dec 31, 2022 6:07 am

Thanks for all the info on the engine. I decided to get a new cam and the aftermarket rockers. Also ordered a new manifold , crank bearings, exhaust valves, conn rod bearings, and a few odds and ends. All the parts arrived yesterday. While waiting for the parts I pulled the front Diff and springs. Got the old chassis bushings out, that was fun. Found the front diff casing was damaged many moons ago and welded up. The inside casing was rubbing a bit on the crown gear. Not a big issue but going to get that fixed up. My father was visiting for a week at Xmas so we teamed up and worked a few days on the frame and foot wells. LOTS of cleaning of parts and frame so I can paint things up, soon I hope.
My father owned it for the last 30 years so he was keen to see it being fixed up.

StuartC · #20 Post by **StuartC** » Sat Dec 31, 2022 9:00 am

There are some pretty good restoration YouTube videos available from Britannica Restorations in PQ.....the website is britrest.com
In-depth series on 2.25l petrol rebuilds and bulkhead restorations.....plus ++
A good resource.

NWOnt_1956 · #21 Post by **NWOnt_1956** » Mon Jan 02, 2023 9:16 pm

I have a question about the serial numbers I’m hoping someone can shed some light on. I have been trying to find some info on this but cannot seems to search it up. The serial number on the bulkhead tag of my LR is 1246002515, i had a look for the number on the chassis rear spring left side and it is 124602742 I thought these 2 numbers would be matching for an original vehicle, but maybe not.

bfein1075 · #22 Post by **bfein1075** » Mon Jan 02, 2023 9:45 pm

Serial should be on the passenger side front right in front of spring hanger.

It should match the vin plate.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

tygre · #23 Post by **tygre** » Mon Jan 02, 2023 10:31 pm

On a 1956 109" the serial number is on the drivers rear spring hanger, not the front passenger.
The number on the bulkhead plate should be the same if it is originally from the same vehicle.
The number you mentioned on the bulkhead tag has one too many numbers.
I have 124602447.

Cheers

NWOnt_1956 · #24 Post by **NWOnt_1956** » Tue Jan 03, 2023 6:07 am

Hi, a bit of a clarification, my father told me the VIN number on the old registration/insurance card matched the bulkhead tag (it is not close the numbers after 1246 are way off???). I had removed it and stored it away for the rebuild. I pulled it out to double check (should have done that first) The Chassis number on the rear just above the left spring does match the bulkhead number although someone added 2 numbers to the bulkhead tag (stamped an 03 behind it?).
The problem now lies in the registration card from 1990's does not match the Vin number of the vehicle.
The good news is the bulkhead and chassis match which is what I had suspected as the vehicle has been in the family since 1970's.

NWOnt_1956 · #25 Post by **NWOnt_1956** » Sun Jan 15, 2023 6:26 am

Have been spending a few hours in the garage over the last couple weeks. Most of the work has been on the engine. Cleaned the block and cleaned the block.. Paint went on very well. Worked on the head, cleaned it up and flat sanded the face. Cut the valve seats and lapped all valves. Ordered new exhaust valves so got those paired with the block. Honed the cylinders they look pretty good now. Spent time inspecting the new conn rod bearings and setting the clearances. Switched to crank bearings and all seems in order. Installed the new rings on pistons. So ready to start reassembly. Has been fun and lost of elbow grease cleaning parts.

The Rover-Landers of BC

The Rover-Landers of BC