treks

Maybe not, but they are really good at building leak proof engines

20 hours ago, desertdude said:

A slight leak in the exhaust manifold gasket sounds exactly like a lifter tick. Ask me how I know.

I agree that a leaking exhaust manifold gasket can sound like noise tappets.

However, one other possible cause in this case is a noisy serpentine belt. In this case, water/coolant had splashed on the belt, which likely washed off the  residue (in some spots) that lubricates the belt. I have heard serpentine belts make all sorts of noises, so I'll try an application of an approved belt dressing on the belt to see if the sound goes away. 

15 hours ago, Gaurav said:

Now we know your taste: Heineken 

Amstel, actually. 

5 hours ago, Barry said:

It is nice. But IMO, the price tag is unjustified. 

@treks I used to think they were complicated but after working on them, they aren’t too bad. Sure, there’s a lot of systems, probably too many, but when you isolate them and understand how the components affect each other it really isn’t too bad. Not saying it’s reliable because it isn’t. The more stuff there is, the more can go wrong. 

I started my career working on computer and electronic based cars so it comes naturally to me. The first time I was presented with an old car with no spark, old school distributor with a set of points a few years later I told my foreman it was too complicated. I had never seen it in my life. His exact words were “It’s not complicated, you just don’t understand it”. That has stuck with me ever since. If you don’t know, go and learn it and you’ll be better for it. 

Maybe it's because I understand how different systems interact and depend on each other, that I think Range Rovers are overly complicated. For instance, why does it need more than two hundred fuses? 

Nonetheless, I am lucky in the sense that I started my career with old school distributors, points, condensers, and carburetors. I must admit though, that learning first OBD I and later OBD II was a steep learning curve, but as you say, once you understand the basics of electronics, diagnostics is largely a walk in the park.   

I was going to say something about this BMW, but thought better of it. Instead, I'll just say that it looks like a carefully crushed beer can.

6 hours ago, Jeh said:

Land Rover revealed a limited-edition two-doors coupe version, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Range Rover. Only 999 examples will be built, and they will be hand assembled by the brand’s Special Vehicle Operations. It has a wood-trimmed centre console running the length of the cabin, completed with leather armrests for both front and rear passengers seats. The SV Coupé has a digital display and an infotainment screen from Velar. There is a full range of options that the Range Rover can offer, including the two-tone leather-free and trims. A powerful petrol V8 engine with around 550hp comes on SV Coupé.

 

 

Meh. It's just another Range Rover that carries a ton of overly complicated electronics. 

Is the idling speed within spec? 

A  classic case of unintended consequences spoiling the original intent. Luckily, at my advanced age, the joys of modifying stuff is one thing I can now happily do without . 

15 hours ago, Gaurav said:

With all due respect to your experience and knowledge, only 1 in million NEED to cross continents.

I totally agree that in real hardcore sturdiness manual win hands down but our regular off-roader here doesn't take more than 100 - 500 km in a week.

Nope, that's not the point. This manual selection is only needed in some auto box that automatically upshifts. In my ride 90% of my time I drive in D, even in steepest hill climb as it downshifts gear SUPER FAST to 1st when I need it the most.

Gaurav, 

You are right that not many people NEED to cross continents. However, there is a REASON why those that do, never use automatics to do it with, and that reason does not primarily involve the poor reliability of automatics when they are pushed really hard.

The primary reason has to with the fact that the driver needs to be in full control of the vehicle and its gearing at all times to make it to the other side of a sand trap or sand dune, or whatever the obstacle happens to be, which is something automatics DO NOT allow, no matter how near or far that driver is from home.  

Many people will disagree, but speaking strictly for myself, the fact that automatics are NEVER used in long overland expeditions settles this debate once and for all.  

This manual vs.auto debate is actually fruitless, but despite that, I will add this:

I have seen, and driven over a lot of sand - including dunes - in many parts of the world. What I have yet to see though, is a an automatic off-road vehicle completing a continental crossing. 'nough said. 

Short trips in city driving conditions will often cause some soot to build up in the exhaust. As @Barry said, this is nothing to worry about as long as there is no smoke of any kind coming from the exhaust. 

It's better now, but I still see a bit of red showing.   

People who are stupid enough to mix them up should not be working on cars anyway, so it should be fine for you to mix them up. 

You used red cable for an earth!?

Did you change the tires recently, and did the noise start soon, or immediately after you changed the tires? 

However, I doubt that the tires are the problem. For the most part, modern tires are really quiet, unless of course, you got these tires really, really cheaply?

4 hours ago, Barry said:

I have US suppliers but I was hoping maybe someone knows a breaker locally. It’s a pain in the ass waiting 2 weeks for a part to finish a 15 minute job. 

You are right about waiting being a pain in the arse, but sometimes there is no other way but to wait for 2 weeks to get a 5 minute job done. Like for instance, bolting on a new 45-year-old starter motor.   

4 hours ago, Barry said:

I don’t think the longevity will be much different from the current piston/rod/crank engines as it will all be running on the same type of shells, albeit more of them. 

The real killer will be lack of oil changes but you could apply that to any engine. 

Somehow I can't see this engine running on bearing shells. This is definitely a roller bearing repository...

5 hours ago, Richard Mellish said:

Wonderful piece of engineering. However a lot of moving parts. But it would be interesting to see how it fairs with high mileage. Also a rebuild has to be expensive in materials and labour. Time will tell gentlemen.

I was going to mention the reliability issues, but it was way past my bedtime when I last commented on this. I do agree though- only time will tell how long these beauties will last under real-world driving conditions.   

Can you afford to import from the USA directly? I'm not talking about Ebay or Amazon- there are major suppliers of new parts in the US that specialize in the stuff you'll be looking for. Many of these guys buy up, and have bought up entire stock inventories when models of all makes went out of production. When I was still in the trade I used to buy (import) parts for cars from the 50's and 60's (and considerably earlier) all the time, often still in the original packaging.

I don't have any contact details anymore, but a quick Google search should point you in the right direction soon enough.    

I once passed up a Triumph Stag in mint condition in favor of a slightly used V6 Alfa GTV. Worst mistake of my life that was... 

It should be an interesting job but somehow I don't think some, or even all of the moving parts will be available to the repair trade anytime soon. Besides, I don't think there are engineering shops anywhere in the world that are equipped to do the machining- there is some weird stuff in this engine that I think would require balancing to a degree we are not used to seeing even in high tech racing engines.  

Balancing this thing must have been a bitch...

And the luck o' the Irish to you, sir. May it replace some of the sweat and tears that will, as you rightly predict, follow the blood very soon.   

Once upon a time (long ago), I took on a similar project, and also on the "costs-kept-to-a-minimum" basis. I don't know what happened though, maybe I just did it wrong, but in the end, the project cost more to complete than a proper restoration project on a '59 Studebaker I did two years previously. Just thought I'd put that thought out there... 

What is the proposed budget for this?