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ROVER-HAULIN
TUESDAY 11:00AM
OK, so you get rolling on a project and you forget to take pictures. We started at 8:00AM and we already have a number of things sorted and installed on the Rover, but no early morning pictures. As the deadline draws near we are doing more work, and less photography. Regardless, the paint crew has given us a number of new parts to work with on day 4 and we have started to install them. The new stainless steel radiator support has been painted and installed along with a new radiator and shroud from Rovers North to replace the accident damaged units. The axles are being gone through and the front end alignment is being done.
To top off the electrical system we have installed a new Optima battery that we will fabricate a hold down for later on. All new battery cables have been made to replace the old corroded units and all of the cooling/heating system plumbing has been done. The 88 also now has a heater control valve (that you can see mounted on the bulkhead next to the fuse box) that will allow temp. control from inside the cabin. The previous system used a hardware store valve under the hood to open or close coolant flow to the heater core, not very handy. New radiator hoses have been installed with all stainless steel hose clamps and fresh coolant added.
The new Hella H4 headlamps will offer more light for the road ahead thanks to Rovers North, and the cleaned up trim rings still offer that correct vintage look to the front of the Series IIA, even though in this area there are actually few original parts, all these parts are upgrades that look stock, but work better and last longer.
Behind the radiator support the fully rebuilt steering box has been set up and installed along with all the rebuilt throttle linkage that will once again give correct throw and correct feel to the throttle pedal.
The new doors have been installed and the new anti-burst door latches installed with new locks. This 88 could never lock before so having one key that opens all the doors will be a welcome addition for Jeff. The black door top is on there as a test for windscreen line up, as the new door tops are still being primed and painted.
Inside the Rover things are starting to look more complete. The seat box has been installed, as have the floors. The foot pedals have received new rubber covers and the steering column and turn signal switch have been restored. The wiring has been finalized and the dash installed. Ian is installing the freshly painted vent flaps with new rubber seals so that the 88 won't have any unwanted forced air induction.
The masking and paint prep. for the rear body tub is also underway, as these areas will be sprayed at the end of the day 5, so all that old green paint has to come off so that the rear body will match all the new front panels.
Up front it is time for all new brake parts from drums to flex lines. The old wheel cylinders are seized and the hub seals are all leaking onto the shoes, a bad combination for a safe straight stop. This is also a good shot of the new front parabolic spring and the new Old Man Emu shock.
as another rust prevention measure we also installed these new Wipac headlight buckets that are made out of plastic. The old metal units on the SIIA were long gone and they barely held the headlights in, and the no longer had any adjustment. New headlight wires were also installed at the same time.
The paint crew continues to turn out newly painted parts ready to install on the 88 just before we need them. Here you can see the original long sills that we have supplied and painted up for the QE I. The new front bumper is also in the mix and it has already been modified for our new light and badge mount.
Inside the cabin we have finalized the interior portion of the Kodiak/Mansfield heater blend we have done, and all that is left with that system is to install the new defroster tubes. This set up gives a nice vintage look, but with the output of the Mansfield system, a great combination.
In the back of the Rover we have finished up the new stainless steel lines and installed a new rear flex line. Everything in the brake system of the 88 is now either new, or updated. Jeff will no longer have to worry about the brakes on the 88.
Here you can see the interior of the 88 coming together nicely. At this stage we have tested the electrical system, updated it fully, and test run the motor. Quite a bit of tune work had to be done to get it into shape, but it is now running smooth. Here you can also see that the correct style banjo steering wheel is now in place and everything looks great. Take a look back at the day 1 images of the interior, and you'll see that we don't really need to explain all this. The difference will speak for itself.
Here is a new picture of the steering box taken from roughly the same angle as the shot of the crud encrusted steering box on day 1. What a difference a few ECR days make.
Above you can see a much greater light output for the Series IIA from the new driving lights and the halogen H4 headlights. Wiring up the lights was the last test of the electrical system and the motor is running like a top. The crappy old tires have been removed and the rims taken to Eastern Tire for a new set. The new tires and the rest of the painted body panels will be ready for us in the morning. It is the end of day 4.
Click the days below to see the progress of that day. These pages have lots of images.
INTRODUCTION
DAY 1: THURSDAY
DAY 2: FRIDAY
DAY 3: MONDAY
DAY 5: WEDNESDAY
DAY 6: THURSDAY
DELIVERY DAY