Series Bulkheads...the future??

Been thinking long term with my 2a 2.3 petrol. It's basically sound but really needs a new bulkhead in the next few years and a replacement chassis for my current 80% replated and rewelded but solid version. Just rang Landrover Salvage in Bolton, about forty miles from me. They advertise as suppliers of Series 1 to modern reconditioned galvanised chassis and bulkheads. Asked what chance there was of a 2a galvanised bulkhead and he said 'oh, we're just weighing in all the series stuff, the old stuff now, we're not bothering with them any more.'

Aggh. Scrapping it all!

Anybody know this place? I was advised to get myself down there and have a look around before it's all weighed in. Is there another source of 2a Bulkheads around or is it the dreaded rebuild and misalign I'd have to attempt myself? I don't mind nuts and bolts but a bulkhead restoration is probably beyond me. What are the serious alternatives, will series 3 or Defender bulkheads fit, are the hinge points similar, are they totally different? Is there a definitive guide to bulkheads anywhere that can help me with alternatives?

Any comments anyone?

Eddy

Reply to
Eddy Bayton
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It does seem to me that the ready supply of secondhand parts for Series II/IIa/III are drying up, particularly for II/IIa. 3-4 years ago there was simply tons of S2 stuff floating around a dirt cheap prices. Now some of it is going for silly prices, and the autojumbles don't have much anyway.

I've resorted to buying complete scrapper vehicles and stripping them myself, storing the parts. Often works out cheaper anyway

Alex

Reply to
Alex

Thats worrying, I suppose buying a Morris Minor is out of the question because of all the old motors one would wish to keep going, Landies and Moggies seem to be the best of the bunch so far as spares support goes.

Who really needs a bulkhead anyway ? I would think maybe the ultimate solution might be a plastic one, seeing as they rot so much.

Chassis of course is another matter, but I am sure you can weld and weld and weld and weld, to the point where the philosophical question of the penknife changing blade and then handle does not really matter, because skin for skin are any of us what we started out to be.

I got pissed off with Fords because of the difficulty of getting old spares and the inflated prices.

I think ultimately the anser will have to be to fabricate your own bulkhead from whatever will hold together and pass an MOT.

I am pretty much convinced Landies are bombproof (though I stand over the next week or so to be unconvinced) because propshaft or whatever problem notwithstanding she is still running, and as for the bulkhead, that is Swiss Cheese.

Reply to
Larry

I have vivid and sad memories of 948cc 184 EKJ going when my funds ran out

20 years ago. A beautiful 1955 Green 4 door.

Is this allowed bearing in mind such things as steering columns etc attached?

Or as I know this "My grandfather's axe, 2 new heads and five new handles"

Oh God Ithink you're right

Mines OK apart from by the accelerator inevitably where my legs get wet through every puddle.

Reply to
Eddy Bayton

The problem is making a living from second-hand parts. I skipped 11 tons of mostly Series second-hand stuff because people would not pay a realistic price for it - if it takes an hour to get a part/parts off, plus overheads (yard etc) then someone has to pay for the labour or it isn't worth doing. In fact, its more productive to sell new as Series parts, even Genuine these days, are pretty cheap compared to other marques (2100 quid for a Mitsbushi fuel pump anyone?). Its a vicious circle really, if someone (perfectly reasonably, I might add) scrounges as second-hand part off his mate, thats one less sale for us (which means we are less likely to stock it) and one less for the manufacturer, who's less likely to make it. Eventually there are no parts left to scrounge, so one trots off to the local parts emporium and, what a surprise, no one makes them any more - then prices go daft. There's no solution, I'm just putting it from the supply-chain point of view. Beleive me, I would love to be able to sell all parts for all past Land Rovers ever made, but if the volume isn't there it's not going to happen! In fact it's even happening to Discovery already - fuel pumps for V8 carbs are no longer manufactured by any one.....

Richard

Reply to
richard.watson

Very fair points I can't argue against. A fair cost is not a problem for me, I've owned a UK based small manufacturing business and understand the problems with overheads, raw materials and UK labour rates. The bit that surprises me is that the demand isn't there. I thought it was. I wouldn't mind paying a fair price for a half decent bulkhead that I could spend time finishing myself. I wouldn't expect to pay 2/- for it. Similarly I have no arguments with the cost of say a new chassis. I'm actually amazed that they can be produced so cheaply, but then I suppose the steel is probably computer-laser cut. What you're saying implies that the market for replacement chassis won't last for ever either at the rate interest in Series LRs is declining. Fortunately the majority of a Series LR is virtually indestructable or relatively easy to remanufacture 1 offs of things. It's the tricky bits like whole bulkheads that seem to be a problem.

Can you help with this? Do you have a 2a ever come in for dismantling and could we talk business?

Regards, Eddy

Reply to
Eddy Bayton

I only ever had one 2a in with worthwhile bulkhead. We don't buy in vehicles to break under normal circumstaces any more, it's just not worth the candle, particularly with the ever-helpful Staffordshire Moorlands District Council being totally anti any business that does not involve imported woollen fluffy bunnies for the tourists etc. Sadly, the "enthusiast" owners like yourself are few and far between these days (maybe 5% of business)- most would prefer a 90/110 for the money it costs to do up a Series motor. It's sad really, I much prefer going out to play in TheBrandNewLeopardskinPillboxHat 1960 Series 2 myself, but there we go....

Richard

Reply to
richard.watson

Sounds like Lancaster & Morecambe DC promoting "City, Coast and Countryside" I kid you not. Vom. Look, I'll be down your way playing cricket in the Whitsun half term, we had a brill time near Alton, up in Derbyshire etc with the kids and the families last year doing the same. I have a good friend about three doors down as well. He hails from Uttoxeter and is your way about 2 days every month . If a 2a that's half decent does come in, could you think about holding on to it or discussing terms for a transporter where I could break it in my own time. My circumstances for sorting bits or cars here are tricky to say the least as I could explain on email (we have 3 small kids,2 with 'problems'). If the 2a of my dreams had a reasonable bulkhead and ancills, a pickup tailgate, sticks and canvas etc that would be even better (ho ho). Mine is a POS EARTH 2.3 PETROL c. 1966 and pretty original. I'd like the option of being able to do a canvas summer and a hardtop winter. Not to ask too much, I'm also interested in a PTO for genuine and original agricultural reasons. I'd like to be able to plough/rotavate/harrow my small plot! The last PTO I saw used locally was on a fertiliser spreader about 15 years ago.

Thanks, you can fall over laughing now! I'll remain enthusiastic though.

Eddy

Reply to
Eddy Bayton

I'll put you "on file" - we'll see what happens. Dont forget to pop down to Leek Cattle Market on a Sunday morning when you're down this way. We can flog the missus some candles etc while we're about it.....

Richard

Reply to
richard.watson

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