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laura

Getting Comfortable
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    East Sussex, UK
  1. I have just looked at my engine in detail now that it has been opened up. two pistons have gone, but have not scratched the walls. Damage seems to be mostly due to temperature melting a valve onto the piston. I will take some photos soon and put them up so you can let me know what you think. We are wondering if it would be possible to get the pistons and valves replaced and the face resurfaced.... I dont know if this will be cheaper than a new engine. I'm also concerned that by doing bits, something else may go wrong soon after and i'll be in the same position.. I'm gonna start looking for a wider range of engines now.. thanks for filling me in a bit on which would work best. I would put in the petrol engine but as I use my car for about 40 miles a day I can't afford the fuel each week! It will use up nearly all that I earn in a week! (I am a poor student!!!) If I lived in an easier place to use public transport I wouldn't be stressed but I am in the middle of nowhere!
  2. Hello I'm desperately looking for help! My 1981 series 3 is currently stuck on my drive as it blew a piston after 2 old heater pipes blew and the engine rapidly overheated. It was the original engine and it looks like salvaging it may be more expensive than finding another one. The valves etc have warped as well as the damage from the piston. I have a limited budget and limited mechanical capabilites. I do as much as I can on the car myself but I think engine replacement is a bit above my level! I need my car as it is my only car, one I could really use to get me to work! Also I love it dearly and the thought of getting rid of it makes me want to cry! Really I am looking for the simplest and cheapest option! Not much to ask I know! As far as I can see I have a few options: 1= buying another series diesel engine. This would be the best but so far they have been rare as gold dust and expensive! If anyone has a full deisel engine hanging around please let me know!!! I want one very very much! 2= I have a petrol series 3 with a ruined chassis sat on the drive (we bought it for its interior, perfect wings, safari roofand overdrive). When looking at its engine, it looks as though the base is the same as the deisel. Does anyone know if this is the case? If so would I be able to put that in my deisel and just look for the parts for the top end? This would be cheaper but is it possible? 3= I find another deisel engine to put in it? what would be the easiest engine to put in mine? I dont have the money for any expensive conversions, such as for power steering or gearbox replacement so really I'm wondering if there are any other engines that can pretty much go straight into a series 3? Please let me know your thoughts. I really need some advice on this!
  3. Hi I'm really looking for help with this one. My Series 3 has just suffered a bad heart attack! It massively overheated due to holes in about 4 of the nicely hidden heater pipes. This used up its water and oil. We replaced pipes and topped up oil and water but it dropped a piston in its top end. Mechanic has looked and whilst big end could be salvaged, we think it may be worthwhile just trying to find another engine. i have a feeling, as it blew its rocker gasket a couple of months ago, that its engine is very tired and perhaps not worth mending as something else in it may go soon after. It is the original from 1981 and it has been worked hard! I don't have tons of money but really want and need my lovely car up and running again! Does anyone have any advice as to what to do? If i get another engine, it definately must be diesel. Full Series 3 Diesel engines seem to be difficult to find so which engines could easily be fitted into it? I have limited budget so can't afford to pay someone to fit a complicated engine and as much as i try, am not experienced enough to fit an engine yet! If anyone could let me know where I could get an engine or has one I could buy I would really appreciate knowing! I'm in East Sussex, but if the price is right would be happy to fetch from further afield! Thanks
  4. I have a Series 3 and am in the south east! would be very pleased to help if it would be possible to focus on the sound proofing bit! My car is a noisy one but just can't afford soundproofing! Is that possible at all??
  5. I'm a young female student, under 21, and I have had a 1981 SWB Series 3 Diesel since I started driving. I love it. It is cheap to insure, relatively cheap to run and really good for getting around the back roads in my area (also rural). Whilst it isnt speedy, it will happily trundle along at 60mph, and with an overdrive the fuel economy is much improved! I have used it on motorways without feeling too stressed. You just gotta realise it isn't as nippy as a modern car and never will be. If you want a landrover, you will never have a fast car! My mum's disco is slower than mine up hills so newer isnt always better! With the insurance, it usually makes a big difference when you put a limit on the mileage (mine at 8,000 and that fine. standard insurance limit is about 10,000) and put your parents as named drivers (the companies take this as the idea that you won't be driving so much and therefore not such a risk!) I'm with Sabre, as is my sister and my deal is so good that hers is only about 50 quid cheaper a year even though she is 23. I hate to say it but its you being a bloke that is making it so expensive. Your age group is highest risk so anything you insure on your own is gonna kill you with the price! I do alot of work myself for the car. The parts themselves are usually very cheap and landrover being landrover, most things from newer models can be fitted into the Series 3. I have simply invested in getting a decent socket set (check sizes before buying as the old landrover bolts arn't the same spec as on modern cars), a set of jump leads and lots of WD40!!! I am slowly upgrading my car according to my budget, which is great with landrovers as you can use it during the week and then do little things at the weekend. I would say its worthwhile finding as many old landy owners around you as they can usually tell you about someone who breaks up landrovers (I have got some amazingly good deals on parts like overdrives and body panels!) Some things like lights are so cheap new. My dream is to get mine soundproofed. Another point is working out if the car you buy is work the work. I found mine in a field for 250 quid where it was filthy but the engine was in perfect order. A good scrub and it was good to go. Often there are people who don't realise that their grubby scruffy looking car is as good as it actually is. On the otherhand where people have begun working on the car, they often expect a return for it and charge alot extra. The pluses for doing a Series 3 up are: It will never decrease in value. Improvements increase value and they are always in demand (classic car remember!) It teaches you to drive well (no power steering + town parking spaces = one amazing parker!) It will last forever if you treat it right With the right tools and the Haynes manual you can do anything to this car yourself (saving those £50phr labour costs) Parts are dirt cheap so when stuff goes wrong it isn't the end of the world It allows you to enter into the amazing world of landrovers! I love getting waves from fellow landy drivers on my way to work! I have grown to love my car more than I ever thought possible. The same is true for my sister in her series 2! Itwill be a car for life! Negatives: Stuff will go wrong. My battery started draining at random times (was a duff earth in the end), including on the day I had a 9.00 am A-Level Exam!! It is noisy as hell. But i have grown to love even that fault! It is time consuming to do it. it must be a long term project. don't expect your dream car in a couple of months unless you have endless cash, an army of helpers and one hell of a lot of spare time! Hope this helps, seeing as I'm pretty much in exactly the same position as you. Good Luck!
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