Dealing with an original in a modern world

[RBBailey]

So, how do you deal with hills?

My truck is just about as original as you can get for a daily driver. Actually, I drive it 2 or 3 days per week, put about 40 to 60 miles on it per week.

I can fairly easily cruise at 55, I can make it go 60, but I have to force it to 65. On the flat, this is fairly good for an old Rover. But the problem is any hill I come across means 45 mph or less. I would like to take this thing out on some off-road outings, but honestly, I would never get there -- even if I didn't break down! There are some normal roads around here that I know for a fact I simply would not make it on. I would end up getting pulled over, or I'd cause an accident going so slow.

This is when I'm empty! If I ever wanted to go someplace overnight, I'd need to plan for the trip, then double or triple the time needed.

Should I consider an engine upgrade, or is the original status too much to give up? If I stay original, will I realize the ability to go from Portland to the back-country if I do a top overhaul? Complete overhaul?

The transmission is rebuilt recently, so it is a good strong 4 speed.

 

[dave_lucas]

Petrol or Diesel?

 

[KevinNY]

3rd overdrive was a great hill gear back when I had the 2.25. Now I can accelerate up hills in 4th with a Hi ratio t case, but I am far from original.

 

[apg]

Third over is indeed useful for 'splitting' gears on those long uphills....

But before you do anything radical, do a compression test on the 2.25 lump. Sure, it was designed for the UK sheep-country and the third world where motorways were non-existent, but a 2.25 in good health should be able to get along smartly. More than any other single diagnostic, the compression test will reveal more info about your engine.

Also consider installing a vacuum gauge. This, too, is a damned informative bit of kit.

 

[61rover]

I agree with above. The 2.25 runs well when in good shape. Check compression. The head can be rebuilt relatively cheap. A new distributor does wonders too. No need to swap.

 

[DiscoJen]

What carburetor are you running on yours? Top speed in my truck was around 45mph. When I switched to a rebuilt Rochester I noticed a good gain and easily get to 50mph...when it's running at all that is. The new distributor helped a bit, too.

But my engine is also kinda tired around 110# compression. And honestly, I have no desire for my Series to go any faster than that. The feeling of impending death keeps me below 45 by choice.

 

[bmohan55]

x3 on compression test. I went from 90 90 30 10 to 130 all around (and it still ran fairly well!)...it's a totally different truck after a top end rebuild. And a new dizzy, rebuilt rochester, new alternator, new fuel pump and lines, timing chain....

 

[RBBailey]

No overdrive. 2.25 petrol. Electronic ignition. New fuel pump. Without any actual diagnostics going on, the engine runs well -- starts well, purrs like a kitten, doesn't stall, etc...

I am thinking I might overhaul the top this winter after I get the garage cleared out, after finishing the kitchen remodel, after finishing my master's thesis, after.....
...if I ever get it into the garage, I'll pull the carb first, then work down from there through the head.

I would like to just let the thing sit at a comfortable 50 mph -- but seriously, I cannot go anyplace with this truck if I can't get it to go up hills. If I were to go out to the desert from Portland, I pretty much have to climb a big hill or two no matter what way I go -- it's a 4000 foot climb overall -- I think it would literally be illegal for me to go 15-20 mph the whole way.

So, what type of actual (not emergency power) performance do you guys get out of your trucks? Is climbing a mountain pass on a modern highway, up to 5000+ feet, feasible? Because it really isn't for me right now.

 

[61rover]

I commuuted from Boulder, CO to Breckenridge for months going over Loveland Pass (12,000'). Didn't break any speed records, but certainly feasible.

 

[apg]

No overdrive. 2.25 petrol. Electronic ignition. New fuel pump. Without any actual diagnostics going on, the engine runs well -- starts well, purrs like a kitten, doesn't stall, etc...

Well, I've seen a well and truly knackered 2.25 engine run *backwards*. Used the hand crank, it kicked back and continued to run - much to the amusement and bewilderment of those around - merrily chuffing exhaust out the carb. If I hadn't seen it, I wouldn't have believed it. What/where it was getting "fuel" was unknown, but it had a real low compression reading, like 20 across the board. It was probably 'dieseling'.... We killed it before it could grenade.

Do the compression test. Just make sure you remove all of the spark plugs and prop the throttle butterfly open so you are not pulling against a closed carb. Record the numbers. Then squirt in a teaspoon of oil in each cylinder in turn. If the numbers come up appreciably, it's the rings. Little or no change is something up top. For a 7:1 engine, you want 145#. 8:1 should be close to 165#, or a tad more if the head has been skimmed.

Cheers

 

[Ron]

I did over 80mph (as per the speedo in the disco following me) in my 1959 coming back from MAR in 2000. Just flog her, she will go.

 

[LR Max]

Install Rochester carb. Unless you have crappy compression, don't waste your time with rebuilding the top end. I rebuilt my top end, all fancy, etc and it it helped, *a little*. Like, little little.

So either that, or rebuild engine. 2.5 crank, better cam (I run ACR), oversize pistons, shave the piss outta the head, etc then you'll get some serious power outta the old lump. That is what I did, before I overheated it, it was a FRIGGEN BEAST. My god.

Also what I do is when I go wheeling, I just put my noise canceling earphones in hooked up to my MP3 player, put on my big hat, my aviator sunglasses, wear gloves and smoke a Churchill cigar of whatever flavor you wish. Then people just look at you, all they see is a complete badass and don't care how fast you are going.

Also I pull over once three cars pile up behind me or every 15 minutes, whichever comes first.

Overland on the highway for 180 miles, I am 30 minutes slower than a normal vehicle. If you want to do long distance in a series, you just have to slow down your life and not care.

 

[RBBailey]

Also what I do is when I go wheeling, I just put my noise canceling earphones in hooked up to my MP3 player, put on my big hat, my aviator sunglasses, wear gloves and smoke a Churchill cigar of whatever flavor you wish. Then people just look at you, all they see is a complete badass and don't care how fast you are going.

...you just have to slow down your life and not care.

I like it.

 

[LR Max]

Do this. When some poor schmuck pulls up to you at the light in a minivan, give him the, "Excuse you while I go train a parrot to train an elephant to bring me whiskey while I challenge the Prince of Spain to a fencing match" look. Then puff your smoke a few times.

Once you see the disappointment of his own life within his eyes, the answer to your "series" question will be answered.

Oh and then powerslide through intersections in front of hot girls. This is good. Oh, but DON'T break an axle shaft while doing this. Breaking an axle shaft has the opposite effect.

When you pull up to people you know in a series, just stick your head out of the window and say, "What up, bitches."

That, sir, is how you drive a series. Or at least that is what I do.

 

[RBBailey]

Actually, when I drive the Series, I have to take an alternate route to avoid hills, so I drive by the place where I worked last year. Whenever I see someone I know I pull all those tricks.

Oh yes, you know that gesture where you turn your hand into the gun and point -- yeah, sometimes I do that with a wink and a nod. It really pisses people off because they either thing you're coming on to them, or they realize they aren't cool enough to pull it off themselves.

Everyone else has Honda Civics and mini-vans. They give their cars names like fatso, low-rider, and ghetto-blaster because they know they can't seriously name a vehicle like that, or use their fingers as a gun to wave at their friends.

But when you drive a Series, you can constantly tell people that you name your truck things like Beowulf or Maurice or Anti-Christ -- even if you don't.

 

[eric w siepmann]

2.25 does well if it's rebuilt properly. I can do 65 easily right now with a crappy rebuilt mil motor. Rebuild it, rebuild the distributor, get a 2.5 cam and throw a properly rebuilt Zenith or Solex from RDS and you'll be fine.

If you need more power than get a Defender...it'll be cheaper before your done.

 

[RBBailey]

One of these days, I may go for a full engine swap to a V8 or a Tdi. But I'm reveling in the stock truck right now. I just want to actually be able to go on some treks and trail rides with it.

 

[eric w siepmann]

One of these days, I may go for a full engine swap to a V8 or a Tdi. But I'm reveling in the stock truck right now. I just want to actually be able to go on some treks and trail rides with it.

I was thinking 200tdi as it's the easier of the two but at the end of the day I think Timm Cooper has it right. Why overpay for british Motors? Nice 350. Plus Ike is making adapters that is making it easier.

TaW's truck now makes sense to me. That's what I want to do, but next. Finish my 88 as a restoration and learn the basics and then find a 109 or dormie and resto mod it.

Just spend the money and do it right. Check West Coast British's website. They have a really nice 200ti conversion. Really well done.

EwS

 

[LR Max]

I agree with an engine swap. However if I do that, I go all the way with a full drivetrain swap because I would definitely put in a LS motor (probably a LQ4, they can be had for 600 bucks with like, 70k on em').

That is too much for me at the moment. Just run it.

 

[stu454]

Do this. When some poor schmuck pulls up to you at the light in a minivan, give him the, "Excuse you while I go train a parrot to train an elephant to bring me whiskey while I challenge the Prince of Spain to a fencing match" look. Then puff your smoke a few times.

Once you see the disappointment of his own life within his eyes, the answer to your "series" question will be answered.

Oh and then powerslide through intersections in front of hot girls. This is good. Oh, but DON'T break an axle shaft while doing this. Breaking an axle shaft has the opposite effect.

When you pull up to people you know in a series, just stick your head out of the window and say, "What up, bitches."

That, sir, is how you drive a series. Or at least that is what I do.

That first paragraph made me laugh out loud.

And want a Series