Restoration project - Good Mechanic for a Defender 90 - Portsmouth area

Hi all,

After years of waiting I have finally bought what I have always wanted - a decent 4x4. I am new to this newsgroup.

my mission is to take my Defender 90 200tdi over to Poland for a complete renovation. I have always wanted a defender, and after nearly loosing my Ford Focus in the sea with my boat on the back, I thought it high time I bought one.

I bought the car some two weeks ago. It is a 92 K plate with 103k on the clock (if anyone can tell me what one of these should be worth, it would be appreciated -both in current condition and also fully restored).

Having taken it to my local specialist, I was told that in order to put the car through its MOT (not due in a few months), it will cost over 800 plus VAT (not great considering it was sold to me as being mechanically/chassis sound). MOT work includes a new 1/4 chassis for the rear, welding on the bulkhead outriggers, bearings on the rear, a few lights (minor) and new bushes for the radius arms.

However, I have decided that the money would be better spent (long term) purchasing all of the parts that are required here in England (bar the chassis section which will not be necessary) and taking the car over to Poland to have not only the mechanics of the car sorted, but also to have have a complete re-trim and bare body re-spray (and a real adventure on the way!). The job will be little short of a nuts and bolts rebuild (as labour costs mean that this is more viable than having new parts bought and welded on) with most parts being removed, refurbished and replaced. There really are too many tasks to list! I have already sourced a bodyshop, mechanic and car trim specialist in Poznan, Poland to undertake the work. The whole job is scheduled to take one month at a cost of 1,000-1,200..

Prior to making the trip, I want a mechanic to check all the levels on the gearbox oil, engine oil, lubrication on the wheels, put some new hubcaps on etc etc - just to ensure that it will actually get to Poland. There is also an oil leak on the engine which I think needs to be chacked prior to departure. I live in Lee on the solent. Ideally was looking for someone to do this privately.

Anyone with any thoughts, feedback or advice would be much appreciated.

Beest regards

Antony

Reply to
Antony Douglass
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"Antony Douglass" wrote

That sounds an interesting project, do keep us informed on progress etc. perhaps some photos?

Reply to
Bob Hobden

I plan to drive over on July 26-28th, flying back (without landrover of course). I will then go back over on 20th August to pick it up.

I have looked into ferry crossings and it looks like the early bird (Dover to Calais) will be best, arriving in Calais at 5am. This will give me all day to get across France, Belgium, the Netherlands and the whole of Germany.

Needless to say I am going to get a decent level of AA European cover in case I break down in Germany.

I have a number of photos of the car as it stands at present. I have attached 2 external photos.

I have also attached two photos of areas of 'leak' concern I have under. Perhaps somebody could give me some input / advice here? I am a little concerned, as the car is not too keen changing between first and second gear. If the change is not made at the right power level, I get a bit of a crunch. Some have said that this is pretty standard with a syncromesh? but being new to it all - I am not too sure :-/

Any ideas?

Hoping its not going to be a new gearbox job!

(Will post photo's separately as I have to compress them first - don't want to rub anyone up the wrong way by posting 3mb of pictures)

Reply to
Antony Douglass

There aint no point posting the pictures directly to the newsgroup. I imagine that most providers will block the big messages on this group (being that its not a binary one), and you will annoy pretty much everybody who does recieve it (since its not a binary group...)

Just stick them on some webspace and link to them.

Reply to
Tom Woods

ok, will do...

Such a lot to learn!

Reply to
Antony Douglass

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