| Author |
Message |
    
Dave M.
| | Posted on Thursday, January 02, 2003 - 10:57 am: | 
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Hey gang. I am hoping to someday own a Series Rover. It's not in the cards right now financially, but I am eager to start the process. I have considered starting with pieces and "building" one over a few years time as money becomes available.
I am considering picking up a used 2.25 engine and doing a complete tear-down and build up in my garage as a hobby-project. I have some mechanical experience, and with the right books, I'm sure I can do it. I'll certainly have plenty of time. The engine seems simple enough, it's small enough for me to manhandle around on an engine stand as needed, and parts seem readily available.
The 2.25 would eventually be dropped into a Series Rover when the time comes. Who knows.. maybe I'll eventually buy a frame and start assembling that, then buy a parts truck, and so on, and so on.
I know it would be cheaper just to buy a runner but I won't ever have the multiple thousands to do that with. I do, however, occasionally get 3 or 4 hundred bucks to play with and, little by little, I think I could eventually build a leaf-sprung Rover 'from scratch."
We just had a son, Jack, our first child who I hope will enjoy this hobby with me someday. I like to think I'm building it for/with him as the years go by. {sniff} I also need something to keep my sleep-deprived brain busy in the garage as my nearly new Protegé5 and '89 Trooper rarely need more then the occasional oil change. :-)
So what do you think? Am I crazy? If all goes to heck, I'm sure I could find a buyer for a lovingly rebuilt 2.25 on eBay. |
Will Roeder (Will_Roeder)
| | Posted on Thursday, January 02, 2003 - 05:45 pm: |
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I say go for it. I did about what you did. I bought a running/driving 109 (from Guatemala actually...) that had a awful frame. Then I bought a parts 88(very complete, and tons of new parts that were unopened) Its frame was good except for the front "horns"(where the spring mounts to frame). So i replaced them as well as the rear crossmember, then stole the motor from the 109, and started building it up over about a year. It was a fun project, and now i am loving driving the series around town. However, i have now got a bad crank bearing so im going to build up a new 2.25 or buy one from either TLR or Thatched Roof Garage....
Let me know if yo uhave any questoins, and hopefully I will be able to help you out. |
Will Roeder (Will_Roeder)
| | Posted on Thursday, January 02, 2003 - 05:47 pm: |
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oh yea, where are you located? I have a few complete/non-running engines in my garage, as well as a fairly complete 109 for parts. |
Ron
| | Posted on Thursday, January 02, 2003 - 06:53 pm: |
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Buy a POS non runner that needs a frame. They can be had all day for under a grand.
Learn to weld and get the bulkhead and frame sorted (these two are 75% of rover restoring) and then play with the bits. I would not waste any money rebuilding a 2.25. Find a used runner, plenty around. Odds are about 75% that any 2.25 you find will run good.
Ron |
Dave M.
| | Posted on Friday, January 03, 2003 - 07:36 am: |
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Buy a POS non runner that needs a frame. They can be had all day for under a grand.
I'd love to, but I can't seem to find one. Everything I've looked at was $4k+ even if it was a piece of junk.
Will,
Windsor, VT |
Ron
| | Posted on Friday, January 03, 2003 - 08:26 pm: |
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I know of at least a few at the moment. You need to look harder.
Ron |
Dave M.
| | Posted on Saturday, January 04, 2003 - 07:03 pm: |
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Ron,
Cool... care to pass on any good leads? ;-)
Thanks. |
Ron
| | Posted on Monday, January 13, 2003 - 10:00 pm: |
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Check roversnorth.com BBS
Adam Check has one for $400
Ron |
Ron
| | Posted on Monday, January 13, 2003 - 10:01 pm: |
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Oh ya he is in Mass. so close by.
Ron |
Dave M.
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 14, 2003 - 11:44 am: |
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Cool... thanks! |
Ron
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 14, 2003 - 06:43 pm: |
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Take a pic when you buy it. 
negotiate with young Mr. Check he has lots of parts so pile it on high and get what you need from him. Your budget will go far with this method.
Ron |
Dave m.
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 15, 2003 - 08:14 am: |
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Adam was very responsive, but my wife has nixed the truck right now. She's totally cool with the engine rebuild, but wants to hold off on stuffing another vehicle into our tiny driveway.
Adam also has a very decent '87 RRC for sale for $750. This one got my attention, but I just don't have room for it. It needs some work, but for a total outlay of $1500 or so, you could have a very nice trail rig.
thanks for all the help.
http://catalog.roversnorth.com/wwwboard/messsale/25926.html for the Rangie.
http://catalog.roversnorth.com/wwwboard/messsale/26333.html for the Series stuff
Pics of the '87 RRC --> http://homepage.mac.com/lode_rnr/PhotoAlbum2.html |
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