V8 Freak

Planning loads of things Ralph..... Just got to find the money, time, prepare for the potential divorce etc. if I continue ! I'm considering putting a 3.9 EFi in the 110.... Then a GKN for those longer journeys. Other than that, not too much planned....

That's cruel... Could be funny, but I couldn't do that without severe provocation... Then again !

Silly question.....(Maybe not.) I've seen a few threads on this now, Western and Les included, and each seems to be fitting GKN to TDi's in various forms. Is there anything stopping someone fitting Overdrive to a V8 powered Defender ? I'm assuming there could be a torque issue on a standard V8 3.5, but on 3.5 EFi / 3.9EFi upwards, is there any reason to NOT do this ?

Quite windy round here.. (Maybe that was the curry...) Outside it's nearly as windy, trees down, A10 closed with Lorry hanging over the side of a large bridge etc... Just over 1hr 45 to cover 30 miles on the way home..... Fences all intact but the side gate not opening now so I'm guessing the fence post has moved somewhat !

I was thinking the same as Lewis... Delay the release until you have a natural break in your day. (End of job/tea break etc.) That way the "illegal" parker has to wait and you can legitimately say you are working to a time line with your customers and that the illegal parking / release of car will happen whe you have the time...... Make sure signs are up saying that cars will be clamped... No mention of release fee of course !

Thanks people.. Gives me more reason to carry on... Look forward to some more info on that 4.6 when it goes in !

I'm thinking of dropping a V8 3.9 EFi into the 110. Currently has a 3.5 as per V5 document. Engine serial different on V5 due to change a while back. If I go ahead with this change, what should I do with DVLA and Insurance ? I've already searched threads on here and most seem to cover chassis mods and hybrid discussions but I've not spotted anything on engine change... (I may have missed it Iwill say.) Now that we have covered what I ought to do..... What do you recommend? If you had a "friend" in this situation, what did they do ! (Just in case you think you may incriminate yourself...) Thanks in advance....

I think I'm with Nige......

Count me out..... Ideally looking for 3.9EFi pretty much ready to insert with alterations to the loom, fuel return etc.... Never mind eh..... Maybe anuvva time.

Where do you peeps find time for mags ? Forums and 110 repairs take up most of my spare time !

Not from Fridge I hope.. He'll want a mark-up...... If you do have an engine... Is it in fine working order, and does it have EFi, include loom, all sensors etc. ?

I feel good..... I bought nothing and still have £50 in my wallet..... Sounds like a bargain, regardless of fuel type.. any more lurking ?

Nick, I dunno why your van runs better on Shell diesel.... <Shrugs> Thankfully now I don't run the fuel operation.. Let off for good behaviour after getting through the fuel crisis in better shape than the majors...... Not picking a fight, just doing the same as you and sharing some of what I know. Tesco now 2nd biggest retailer of fuel in UK so have some say in what they buy and sell in the market. We make very little margin on fuel because we cannot buy it cheap. We have to buy it from the major refiners, mainly because of our size and they control the manufacture / supply. Hence, we get what they sell.... And we retail at the same prices that they do... And back on topic (Sorry Mods... Didn't mean to sky-jack the topic...) not tried Redex since I have a Mk1 Escort... Smoked out most of Dagenham back then when I used it...

I work for Tesco and used to run their whole fuel operation.....

Additives are merely engine cleaners... (Or anti-waxing agent as well in diesel part year - To govt. specifications) Tesco, Sainsbury etc. all use the same additives the oil companies use... Tesco used to be totally independent to get consistent additives in their fuel because they bought from 6 refineries / suppliers. But now everyone pretty much the same in terms of additive levels and constituents no need to be different. The only supermarket that used to NOT add anything was Morrisons to try and sneak a bit of extra money out of the job.... They reasoned that people weren't totally loyal to them so they would get some cleaning effect from tanks of fuel people bought elsewhere... Tesco and Sainsbury Supermarket sites turn fuel over much faster than your average Joe petrol station, generally have better equipment underground because of new sites and investment they are prepared to make etc. Water checks take place daily but contamination rarely occurs. (Guess what I used to be involved in a few years back !) Seriously peeps. You should get the same product from Supermarkets. Tesco were the first to introduce Lead free petrol, first to remove sulphur from diesel, first to introduce a high octane/low benzene fuel that some engines can benefit from etc. They generally push the boundaries and push the oil companies into action. Tesco currently in discussion with engine manufacturers about Biofuels. Currently have 5% blend in the South East and want to know what the plans are for major makers for the future to plan their action...... (Yes, Tesco have a share in a private fuel company that helps them develop specialist fuels and lead the market. When it becomes mainstream it becomes available from the majors...) http://www.greenergy.com The Shell V product should be pretty good but peeps will have to tune their engines for it and then stay on it ! (Unless you got expensive kit on board like the top end BMW's etc. that detect unspent fuel and re-tune on the fly...)

Nick.... What do you think is wrong with Supermarket fuel ? Supermarkets buy it from the big oil companies. It's made of exactly the same stuff as theirs as there are exacting specifications that fuel is made to ! How do you think it can be different ?

I would imagine, remove, clean, spray and laquer with matt finish !!!

I doubt that I will stop wandering all over the road.. That's just my driving style !

After reading two very good threads from Nige (Hybrid from Hell) http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=8655 and http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=8867 I've done some of what he did and in reverse order.... During a short visit from Western (Ralph) in December we wired my fans with an over-ride switch. So today, with a man who knows how to cut bodywork, we set about installing side vents a-la-Nige. In order to get the location looking natural, I traced the vent location from a friends TDi This was used as a template for both sides of the car. (The wheel arch and rear of the wing used as location points) The area was clearly marked and the initial cut through made... Ricky then cut along the straight edges with another gadget (He's got a full workshop of stuff...) And then using yet another gadget (You can see I'm no expert fabricator..) he cut the corners out.. At this point we had a slightly rough hole in the wing... So, yet another tool was abused to clean up the hole... We (Yes I was involved in some of this...) then dabbed some grease on the 5 clip posts on the vent and pushed it against the wing to get drill point locations. The holes were drilled and the grill fitted. We didn't have suitable clips to attach the grill so silicon sealant was used. The engine was run up to temperature and when the fans cut in, a nice stream of hot air flowed out of the new wing vents... Thanks for the idea and guidance Nige.

Well, after a good shake of the steering, it became clear that there was some wear in the panhard bushes. The bar was unbolted, and removed. One end was totally shot and I was able to push the inner part of the bearing through with my hands.... Found a man with a 30 tonne press and drifted them out, cleaned the area and drifted the new ones in. All attached and now the car is much sharper on the steering & wobble gone. I fitted a new steering damper while under there but the old wasn't too bad. There is a little play in the UJ in the steering column but nothing to worry about.... Thanks to all who made suggestions of the possible cause. Another excellent diagnosis.

Light a small fire in the back !! Small 12 volt fan to blow on the flames and move the air arround and all should be fine... (may need windows open a bit to clear the smoke) Or... Install a small wood burner.... Bolt to the floor and cut chimney through the 110 roof.... While you are on green lanes or off-road there should be plenty of wood lying around that you can just pick up and stack in the back ready for burning ! Sorted....

I've seen that video before Tony but didn't realise it was your 90 and Val you were dunking!!! "My seats wet...." Still gets me every time !

Well I just showed the video to Mrs Freak... I was advised that I should not take her to such places.... Duly noted !! (I like an easy life...)

I went to a LR event at Eastnor in December to drive this car... On road it's extremely confortable and drives very well. Great seats and feels like it's been put together really well. Off road it was extremely capable. We went out in the same cars, road tyres etc. and went some places I would think twice about in my 110.... Dunked to bonnet depth, mud to the floorpan etc. The hill decent stuff is pretty damned good.... Watching other cars you can see it taking care of the braking and it does each wheel individually... Hill climbing was great considering the tyres ! No need for lockers... It did it all electronically! If you lose traction in one wheel, no power goes to it.... The pre-set modes mentioned above are what the engineers thought would be a good idea and they stuck other images on them for gravel, mud, snow/sand but are probably going to get more use as "Gravel Driveway, Tesco's Car Park, Double Yellow Lines Outside School and Bump Up Over Kerb"

Somehow, I don't think cocs alone will suffice... Maybe some chocs, a dry passenger seat and another ford, but no promise of pub or meal.. Seems that's what she is most worried about...