THE MAGAZINE OF THE DISCOVERY OWNERS CLUB
Number 11 - Spring 2003
New ‘Down Your Way’ Section Member Takes Aid to Poland More on GAS Conversions
Adjusting Swivel Preload Power Steering Box Replacement Changing the Timing Belt on a 200Tdi Land Rover Selects G4 UK Challenger www.discoveryownersclub.com
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The Small Print For the purposes of this notice, ‘Discovery Owners Club’ and ‘Club’ are interchangeable and assumed to mean the same thing.
Discourse Articles
Suppliers and dealers wishing to advertise in Discourse should contact Alan Smart for a Rate Card and details of space available. Tel: 01264 772851, Email: alan_smart@compuserve.com
Small Ads for DOC Members
The Club reserves the right to edit or refuse articles received from members.
Members can place small ads for Discovery stuff in Discourse for free.
Views expressed by members contributing to this magazine are those of that member and may not necessarily be those of the Club. Every effort is made to verify the contents of member’s articles, but the Club can not accept responsibility for the veracity of its content.
However, if you have a cottage to let or anything else that would bring in some income, then you’ll also be able to advertise in the small ads section but will be expected to make a contribution to the production costs of Discourse.
Caveat Emptor
Contact Alan Smart: Tel: 01264 772851, Email: alan_smart@compuserve.com
Every effort is made to ensure advertisements are bona fide. The Club can not accept responsibility for the quality of goods or services advertised. The moral is “buyer beware”.
Public Liability Insurance The Club has Public Liability Insurance for registered Club events of a non-competitive nature. Cover is provided for full Club members, their spouse or partner and children residing at the same address. Family members as defined in the Club rules travelling in a separate vehicle are also covered. Road traffic accident risks are not covered by the Club’s Public Liability Insurance. It is the responsibility of the member to ensure that they have proper and legal Insurance cover for themselves and the vehicle from leaving home until returning home.
Club Events Activities in particular but not excluding off-roading and green-laning are undertaken solely at the participants’ own risk. Vehicles should be suitably insured and prepared for the undertaken activity. Participation in any Club organised event is on the understanding and acceptance that safety is the responsibility of the participant.
Green Lanes All ‘green lanes’ are highways as defined by the Highways Act 1980. Green laning events require the same level of insurance, road tax, MOT and driver’s licence as normal roads.
Association of Rover Clubs The Club is a non-competitive member of the Association of Rover Clubs (ARC), an organisation bringing together all member Land Rover clubs for organising events (both competitive and non-competitive) and providing many essential services to member clubs.
GLASS The Discovery Owners Club is a member of GLASS (Green Lane Association). GLASS is a national rights of way user group representing the interests of motor car users on unsurfaced minor highways or ‘green lanes’ in England and Wales. GLASS promotes responsible offroading and the Club endorses this.
Club Web Site & DOC Forum www.discoveryownersclub.com is the Club’s website address. www.docforum.co.uk is the new forum address. For instant access, all you need is a valid membership number to register on site. Once registered, you can log on anywhere in the world to catch up with your favourite club, post replies and help fellow Discovery Owners. Subjects range from Caravanning to Humour. There’s optional email notification for individual postings, entire topics or forums.
Back Issues Two ways for members to obtain Discourse back issues: Printed copies at £2.50 ea together with a self addressed A4 envelope stamped at 41pence, or CD-ROM at £2.00 including postage (this would have all back issues). Cheques should be made payable to ‘Discovery Owners Club’ and sent with your order to Lee Jones - Membership Secretary.
Advertising in Discourse Advertising space will be available in future issues of Discourse. Advertisements can be whole page, half page and quarter page in either black and white or full colour.
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Committee Meetings Under the rules of the club, members may attend, but not participate at committee meetings. If you plan to come along, please let the Club Secretary know in advance. Planned dates for future committee meetings are: Sunday 4th May at Gaydon following the Heritage Run If you have something you want raised at committee, please let a committee member know.
Acknowledgements Cover photograph by Findlay Lamont. This issue has been designed and published by Focus TC.
In This Issue Land Rover News Book Review Dealing with the Shakes Power Steering Box Replacement Changing the Timing Belt on a 200Tdi LandAid to Poland Second Time Lucky... So We Bought One!! Class of ’93 Discovering the Discovery Hartington Quarry in August Treasure Hunt with a Difference Petrolhead Revisited The French Connection Committee Corner North Worcs / South Midlands Northampton Wessex Yorkshire Sth Staffs / Nth Birmingham Members Small Ads What’s On - Tim Arnold Calendar and Contacts Regional Meets
4 5 6 6 8 11 11 12 13 14 14 15 16 18 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 27
Your Committee Neil Brownlee
Sean Pearce
9 Lindisfarne Way, East Hunsbury, Northampton, NN4 0WG. Tel: 07768 366 157, Email: metalthrasher@metalthrasher.screaming.net
5 Dodlee Lane, Longwood, Huddersfield, Yorkshire, HD3 4TZ Tel: 01484 644764, Mobile: 07703 534453 Email: spearce10@aol.com
Gary Tredwell
Jim Law
21 Wick Close, Peachcroft, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 2NQ. Tel: 01235 520240, Email: caravan.servicing@virgin.net
1 Vulcan Close, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 4LZ Tel: 01227 264747, Mobile: 07944 836 177, Email: jwlaw90@hotmail.com
Kevin Beel
Chris Gorvin
25 Pembroke Road, Baldock, Herts, SG7 6DB Tel: 01462 893886, Mobile: 07905 836636, Email: k.beel@ntlworld.com
16 Kurtus, Dosthill, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B77 1NX Mobile: 07774 963577 Email: chris.gorvin@ic24.net
Ros Palmer
Dyfed Bowen
31 Stanley Street, Brighouse, West Yorkshire, HD6 1SX. Tel: 01484 384883, Email: ros@cameltrophy.org.uk
116-118 Church Lane, Charnock Richard, Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 5NA Mobile: 07866 495084 Email: diff@ntlworld.com
Lee Jones
Kim Hollings
73 Tottenham Crescent, Kingstanding, Birmingham, B44 0ST. Tel: 0121 603 3632, Mobile: 07759 299031, Email: lee@trucktech.fsnet.co.uk
15 Knowsley Crescent, Offerton, Stockport, Cheshire, SK1 4JB. Tel: 0161 480 7096, Email: kimberh@ntlworld.com
Tim Arnold
Paul Walker
9 Sunstar Lane, Polegate, East Sussex, BN26 5HS Tel: 01323 489003, Mobile: 07801 292024, Email: tim@sunstarlane.freeserve.co.uk
17 Ditchford Close, Hunt End, Redditch, B97 5XT Tel: 01527 404103, Mobile: 07939 411995, Email: annpabpaw@supanet.com
Alan Smart
George Glover
The Bales, Cow Lane, Kimpton, Andover, Hampshire, SP11 8NY. Tel: 01264 772851, Fax: 01264 773300, Email: alan_smart@compuserve.com
158 Malcolm Drive, Duston, Northampton, NN5 5NH. Tel: 01604 582252, Mobile: 07721 559456 Email: chris.gorvin@ic24.net
Acting Chairman
Vice Chairman, Central Southern LSR
Club Secretary, Home Counties Nth. LSR
Treasurer
Membership Secretary, Sth. Staffs LSR
Events Co-ordinator, Sussex LSR
History Officer, Editor, Wessex LSR
Club Shop Officer, Yorkshire LSR (Acting)
Publicity & Press Officer
Camping & Caravanning Officer
Member Representitive
North West LSR
North Worcs LSR
Northants LSR
From the Editor’s Keyboard It was good to see so many of you at the AGM. Your new committee would like to express their appreciation for the retiring members: Simon Kay, Gerry Summerfield and Andy Myers. Also, thanks to the member with the white Discovery who donated an original dealer Discovery banner – we didn’t get your name. We have a full programme of events organised for the year and a lot of work goes into organising these events; so please come along and support them. It’s always nice to see our name in print. However, in a recent LRM review of Discourse I’m left wondering. Here, a professional journalist who claims that it’s only the ‘interesting which catches his attention’ managed only to pick holes in our efforts and not write anything interesting about our ‘Club’ magazine! I’m glad we’re just amateur! This is the biggest new style Discourse to date with 28 pages. Thanks for all your contributions; please keep sending them in. It’s your magazine and we try to print all articles. Remember, as not all our members are web-enabled, it’s the only club publication that reaches all of the membership. We are aiming to publish every other month from now on but this is conditional on receiving enough articles from members. To be included in the next edition you’ll need to have your article, preferably with some pictures, to me by 24th May.
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Land Rover News Land Rover UK Selects G4 Challenger
Should the selected competitor being unable to take part, the reserve competitor will step in to fly their national flag.
Last time we reported that the UK selection process for the G4 Challenge was down to its last two. At the end of a gruelling five-day training and assessment programme, thirty nine year old Tim Pickering emerged as the competitor to represent the UK in the 2003 Land Rover G4 Challenge. Despite intense competition from his fellow Briton, Byron Lewis, Tim won through and will now undertake a training and preparation programme in readiness for the rigours of the Challenge itself. The event kicks off in New York City on 30th. March with 16 competitors enduring four consecutive weeks, four time zones and intense physical and mental competition.
Tim was overwhelmed to learn of his selection: “I am just amazed and very happy to hear that I’ve been selected. It’s such an honour to be representing the UK. I’ve had an adventure this week at International Selections, an absolutely fantastic adventure. I’ve learnt so many things. I am going to walk away and it is going to take me weeks to process all the information that’s gone through my head. I am absolutely exhausted. I am looking forward to a hot bath and a cold beer.”
The International Selections event took place at the 5,000 acre Eastnor Castle estate, home to the Land Rover Driving Experience and a worldrenowned centre for off-road driving excellence. During the programme, which ran from the 19th. to the 24th. January, a total of 32 prospective competitors, two from each of 16 participating countries, were put through a series of demanding assessment sessions, including GPS and navigation, off road driving, mountain biking, climbing / abseilling and kayaking. The purpose was not only to select the final competitor for each nation based on quantitative scoring systems, but also to train all thirty two competitors in each discipline to give them all the skills and knowledge required to complete the Challenge safely.
Mike Wright, Managing Director, Land Rover UK, commented: “We have been overwhelmed by the level of professionalism and team spirit demonstrated by all the competitors this week. Despite the fact they have been camping out every night and living on ‘boil in the bag’ meals to replicate the conditions they will find on the Challenge, everyone has turned in a great performance and it has been very difficult to make the final selection. We will be right behind Tim as he battles it out in the Challenge itself against the other 15 nations.” The other Land Rover G4 Challenge International Selections are: Arabia - Chris Perry, Australia - Guy Andrews, Belgium Rudi Thoelen, Canada - Jim Kuhn, France - Franck Salgues, Germany - Dirk Ostertag, Ireland - Paul McCarthy, Italy - Alberta Chiappa, Japan - Shinichi Yoshimoto, Holland - Erik den Oudendammer, Russia - Sergey Polyansky, South Africa - Chester Foster, Spain - Inigo de Lara, Turkey - Cuneyt Gazioglu and USA - Nancy Olsen For further details of the Land Rover G4 Challenge and to follow the action online from 30 March to 26 April. Visit www.landroverG4challenge.com.
Another Record Year for Land Rover Sales Land Rover has achieved record sales in 2002 for the third year running with an overall 6% increase in the 142 countries around the world. UK sales topped 47,000 vehicles, which is a 5% increase whilst over 44,000 vehicles were sold in North America, which is more than a 50% increase! Star performer is the new Range Rover that has notched up over 5,000 sales since its launch in March achieving BBC TV’s Top Gear ‘Car of the Year’ award. In the UK the Discovery achieved over 11,000 sales underlining its position as the leading medium 4x4 whereas the Freelander sold more than 24,000 maintaining its position as the UK’s leading 4x4. Sales
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of the Td4 common rail diesel engine are up by a third on the previous year. Amazingly, the Defender, which can trace its lineage right back to the original 1948 Land Rover, has stormed back into a leading position in the utility 4x4 market. Land Rover’s Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of Ford’s Premier Automotive Group, said: “This is a terrific result for a brand that goes from strength to strength. After two years of sustained investment in Land Rover products and facilities, we are now beginning to see the results.”
Off to the Arctic Member James Locke from Andover has been a friend of intrepid bush craft and survival expert, Ray Mears for over 19 years. Their links go back to ‘Operation Raleigh’ and working together on ‘Woodlore’, the survival training programmes started by Ray twenty years ago. Their latest exploit will take them with fifteen others to Lappland, Scandanavia, specifically Kiiruna in Northern Sweden, 200 kms north of Arctic circle on the banks of the Kalix river where temperatures dip to minus 46 degrees! James told me “Ray and I have worked together on many occasions and I’m thrilled that he invited me to join him on this exciting trip. The Arctic can be one of most inhospitable places on our planet, but also one of most beautiful and exciting – not my words, but those of someone who goes there regularly. However, on my return I’ll perhaps be in a better position to confirm or deny these statements!” They’re going to a wilderness log cabin camp operated by Lars Falt and Ray Mears. Ray you will already know about; Lars has been a Swedish armed forces survival instructor for over 40 years. Their camp is located at Lappeasuando, surrounded by pristine Taiga Forest, home to lynx, bear, reindeer and the local Sammi folk. Opportunities to see the Northern Lights will present themselves. Also promises of Scandinavian sauna and snow dip.
Hmmmm….. Let’s not forget lighting fires, shelter building, living in a lavu (Lappish tipi), ice fishing, snowmobile driving – and no electricity!
James has been practising for the extreme conditions in our more temperate climate by borrowing the walk-in cold store of a local frozen food company. His first set of clothing was abandoned as it did not keep out the cold but the next set was better. He’s not used to the cold as he is normally found taking his trusty Discovery (the Enamel Dog) to the Sahara! Let’s hope he thinks of Discourse and remembers to pack his camera!
Beware the MoD MoD police have issued a reminder to all who go off-road on MoD property; especially Salisbury Plain. MoD land is governed by strict bylaws and they plan to start enforcing them. 4x4 users are reminded that all parts of the Road Traffic Act apply to by-ways. If you stray off by-ways you could face prosecution under section 34 of that Act. If you are not sure of
the status of any track, check the ‘definitive’ map that will be held with your County Council . An MoD Police spokesman warned “Persistent offenders could see their vehicles seized and forfeited to the Crown.” Fines up to £20,000 face those damaging sites of special scientific interest or archaeological sites with . You have been warned!
You & Your Land Rover Discovery by Dave Pollard Book Review by Alan Smart
This new Haynes publication is the ideal guide to the Discovery for those who need to know about the model but don’t want to get bogged down in lots of detail. There are plenty of colour illustrations in the 144 pages which although well written and very readable, covers the subject at a very high level. If you’re into dirty fingernails, this one isn’t for you! There’s the compulsory history lesson about the development of the Discovery, a useful section about off-roading and conversions including a small section on LPG. I found the buyer’s guide well presented and used it as a checklist when I bought my latest acquisition. We all think we know what we are looking for but unless you’re buying everyday, this is a must. The section on the Camel Trophy and the vehicles used was enjoyable. There are also sections with data about the vehicle, translating your vehicle identification number (VIN) and engine numbers. At £17.99 the price is a bit steep for the content, so if you want a copy I suggest you put it on your birthday list!
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Discovery Workshop
Dealing with the Shakes
cause any damage to anything or anybody when doing this, I accept no responsibility.)
It’s a problem that a lot of us have had or will meet in the future as our beloved Discoverys age and begin to show signs of wear. I am not proclaiming to be an expert, just the person that’s ended up writing about it for Discourse. So all you mechanics and experts out there, please don’t shoot me down yet.
First put your front axle up on stands with the car suitably braked and chocked (see your hand book if not aware of this procedure) and remove the wheels. Next remove the track rod and drag link (passenger side only) using a suitable socket and ball joint splitter. Now attach a spring balance (I got one from a fishing tackle shop) to the rear hole from where the track rod ball joint was removed and pull.
Paul Stephens
If you don’t know what I am talking about, it’s those STEERING SHAKES which try to remove the wheel from your grip when driving along quite innocently (honest officer). This is not the type that feels like a rumble under your bum (this apparently can be a univeral joint problem and is not covered here). You’re probably like me and check and change parts that you think you can deal with first, pushing the ones that sound daunting to the bottom of the list. When my steering began to shake, this was the sequence of checks and changes I followed over a period of about three months: • Wheel balancing (most obvious) and removal of a couple of kilos of mud from wheels • Play in steering linkages - track rod ends and ball joints • Steering damper replaced (and later swapped back as the Monroe replacement was worse • Steering and suspension bushes changed • Power steering box changed (was leaking anyway)
Check the load in each direction with a constant pull (the recommended load is 12 lb with the swivel seals in place, but it can be set to 16lb to give a more precise feel) if this value is low then this is a strong candidate for the cause of the steering shakes. Now you know what’s wrong, so how do you fix it? It’s easy, but first place a large tub under the wheel assembly; when you remove the swivel pin oil (if you have any in there) it will leak everywhere. Next, undo the 2 bolts holding down the swivel pin (oval shaped pieces of metal under brake pipe securing plate) and remove the pin (you might need to wiggle and twist it to release it). Beneath this should be a stack of metal shims; if not you need new bearings. Shims are thin pieces of metal used as spacers to adjust the tension on the pin. Remove some of these shims, reassemble the pin assembly and recheck the preload as before.
Basically, it’s the pressure that the swivel pin (the pin the steering pivots on) applies to the bearing, which determines how easily the wheels turn (left and right)
Repeat this process until the the load is correct on both wheels. However, if you have no shims on the pin and the load still isn’t enough, I’m afraid it’s probably time for new bearings, the replacement of which I know nothing. Reassemble the steering links fitting new nyloc nuts and split pins where applicable and using the correct torque (58lb/ft or 78Nm for non ABS models and 48lb/ft or 65Nm for ABS models), tighten the bolts. Replace the wheels and the vehicle is ready to return to the road.
How do you check it? (Sorry folks, disclaimer time, but should you
This was so easy to do, I just wish I’d known about it earlier.
• Adjusting SWIVEL PRELOAD Of course, it was the swivel preloads that were at fault! So, what is the SWIVEL PRELOAD?
Power Steering Box Replacement Alex Drummond
The power steering box had recently started to leak and was leaving somewhat embarrassing oil marks in the works’ car park. I also noticed that the steering had become a little notchy lately, so decided it was again time to replace the unit. I’d replaced it some 90,000 miles ago and as the first one lasted some amount of time I figured it was fair do’s. I’m reliably informed that although the offending seals are replaceable, its generally a waste of time as the unit is likely to be knackered anyway. My mate Richard (at Richards 4x4 in Crick - sound bloke) told me that the notchyness was going to be the UJ and that there was a choice - the top one at £10 or the bottom one which is part of the whole assembly for £70. With no visible signs to indicate which, I opted for the former. I bet you’re already ahead of me here. Yes, it did turn out to be the bottom one I needed, but there’s a bit of Prof. Sodz law to invoke here concerning part numbers and boxes, of which more later. With the jack and axle stand under the chassis, the car in the air but the wheels on the ground, its time to get the spanners out. Here’s a tip, before you do all the stuff the book says you want to try this first. Can you get the drop arm off the box?
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Discovery Workshop Last time I had to cycle up the road to my local garage with the box tied to the crossbar with string. There they put it on a hydraulic press and even then it held on to the last. The nut is a 33mm (I used an 1-5/16”) so you need the socket for that. You may need to drop the car off the jack and drive up the auto shop to get one, like I did this time. At least I now had a two leg puller, so with the nut off and the puller on it should be easy; and I’d given it a really good coating of copper grease last time I assembled it to make sure. Yeah, right! The tension on the puller was getting so high I got my safety glasses out in case it shattered. I needed a small block of wood between the puller and the axle case to keep it straight and having traded the small ratchet for the big torque wrench, I was winding some serious pressure on it. In between tightening of the nut it’s worth hitting the side of the arm where it sits on the splines with a large hammer. With scary tension on the puller and some demented hitting of the side of the arm, it finally released.
Theoretically that’s the worst bit over. I didn’t bother to remove the ball joint at the other end of the drop arm because you can just shove the whole assembly out of the way. Next trick is to see if you can slacken the tie bar and mounting bolts. These are 17mm and 19mm respectively. Again you’ll need some serious leverage and I opted for the torque wrench. Oops! Bad advice; you shouldn’t really use a torque wrench for shifting stiff bolts, its bad practice and the ratchet isn’t up to it, but you know what its like when you are under the car and…. Anyway, trying to shift one of the mounting bolts (which had been done up to the appropriate torque & copper greased when I last did this), I was pulling with both hands, and feet against the front wheel when the wrench gave up. Oh well, I’ve now got the excuse now to buy a 3⁄4 drive one. Out with the wrecker bar - I wouldn’t be without this bit of kit. Land Rovers are more akin to trucks than cars and I’ve shattered and sheared quite a few bits of Draper kit - stuff which works fine on Fords and Vauxhalls but not up to the job of a Land Rover. By way of example, the tightening torque for the drop arm nut is 176 NM!
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Discovery Workshop With all the bolts now moving the job was ‘GO’. The first hose has a 16 mm union and you need to remove this one to get access to the 14 mm rear one. I wanted to replace the fluid so didn’t bother clamping the hoses and just drained the oil in a pan underneath the car. While that is draining out you need to undo the steering column UJ. You have to remove the clamp bolt as there’s a flat on the column where the bolt passes through and if you don’t remove it you won’t get it off. I was removing the whole column to replace the top UJ so that’s why you see it in the photo. Next, undo the side bolt of the tie bar and before you undo the mounting bolts. You need the tie bar out of the way to get the box out and if you have undone the box then there’s nothing to push against. Take the tie bar off or rotate it down out the way, then undo the four 19 mm mounting bolts. This is why you jacked the chassis and left the wheel on the ground - you need it out of the way to get at the bolts. With it all undone pull it out from underneath the car, in front of the axle. Sliding the new one up into position is straight forward enough but does take a certain amount of jiggling and cussing, especially as you need to get the steering column connected before you bolt the unit in. I hit an interesting problem at this point which I didn’t (and therefore you won’t) get to until later. With the lower UJ slid onto the splines of the box and with the box in position, get the four mounting bolts started by hand. I always pre-coat bolts like these with copper grease as it helps them go more smoothly to the correct torque and theoretically it is supposed to make them easier to undo. Hmmm.... Connect up the tie bar and get everything started by hand before you do anything up tight. The tie bolt nuts (and similarly the clamp bolts on the steering column) are nyloc and ought to be replaced rather than reused. The components never come with the requisite nuts and I’ve noticed that some garages don’t make the effort. However, if you’ve pre-planned the job and known which size to buy you can drive with the confidence of knowing that they are not going to come undone. Now, I did mention a problem earlier, well actually two; which do you want first? I’d removed the whole steering assembly to replace the UJ. As we noted earlier it was indeed, the lower one
which needed renewing - in fact it was so stiff I couldn’t shift it manually. The top one seemed OK but as I’d bought it, I might as well fit it; but Prof. Sodz plays his ace card here - not only had I picked the wrong joint to replace; the part in the box was not the same as the part number - thanks Bearmach, that’s not the first time you’ve done that to me. As the more eagle-eyed of you will have spotted from the photo it was just a tad too short - something I worked out after a while of fiddling and jiggling and cussing of the steering box as I tried to get it all to line up. Party on! I’d been careful to make sure the steering was in the straight ahead position before I started and not moved anything so theoretically it should all be fine, yeah? Right, not! The reconditioners of the box has left it turned slightly to the right, not centred like the last one. Having worked out that things didn’t feel right I counted the turns of the wheel left to right - two full turns either way of dead centre and remounted the steering column so that the box was centred, the steering was centred, and the wheels were straight ahead. So, with all the mountings fully torqued up and the column sorted (with the old UJ refitted) I connected up the hoses. As mentioned earlier, you have to do the 14 mm one first and then fit the 16 mm otherwise you won’t get the spanner in. Bleeding is ideally a two man job. I was tired, it was getting late and the light was disappearing fast. I decided to go it alone. I topped up the reservoir, briefly started the engine and shut it down after a couple of seconds. As the book points out the fluid disappears quite quickly and the bottle was now almost empty. I refilled it started the engine, rushed round to the front of the car, and before I could pick up the ATF the reservoir ran dry. I quickly glugged some into the bottle and as the pump slurped it up suddenly a three foot fountain of ATF emerged from the bleed screw. Actually it was quite a sight but allowing the bottle to run dry had aerated the oil so I decided to leave it overnight before bleeding it properly. Bleeding it properly the following morning was relatively straight-forward although it was raining now so not so much fun. I’ve got the new steering shaft on order and next weekend can look forward to replacing that. Party on!
Changing the Timing Belt on a 200Tdi Alex Drummond
For those of you like me that can change a cam belt on a Cavalier in a morning, don’t be fooled into thinking that a Disco is a similar prospect. It’s not a job for the faint-hearted! The book rates this as a 4-spanner job which signals that it’s going to be a tricky one. The fact that the Land Rover dealership charges £298 for this job is another clue that it’s going to be ‘fun’. In fact, the parts for this job are pretty cheap; the two gaskets, the belt, the dust seal and a bit of thread-lock shouldn’t set you back more than £40. So the rest is basically b∫*!%y hard labour. The last time I did this job was two and a half years ago but, 60,000 miles later, here I am ready to do it all over again - at least this time I have the tools I need. Special tools are needed for this job; obvious stuff like the three-legged puller; a dial type torque wrench, the massive 32 mm open spanner to remove the viscous coupling (if you haven’t gone over to a Kenlowe) and the 30 mm socket for the crank pulley. But note, not any old socket or lever will do, this beauty is done up to over 250 foot pounds and glued with thread seal. I broke a brand new 1/2” drive lever the first time I did this job and had to borrow a 3/4” lever from the local garage.
Discourse 11 - page 8
Discovery Workshop This time I’ve got beefier tools - shearing and shattering are a real risk so buy high quality for your own safety. Closer inspection of the text will reveal that you also need less obvious tools such as the pump locking pin, the flywheel locking pin and possibly (and quite probably) a crank locking bar. On the subject of less obvious tools, last time I needed an angle grinder and drill to make the aforementioned crank locking bar and welder to adapt my three leg puller, to get it to fit with the radiator in place. This time I needed a lathe and tap and die set - more of which later. As mentioned, last time I did this job with the radiator in place and had to modify the puller. This time I was replacing the radiator as it had worn out so I removed it; I can tell you it was a much easier job. The saving in time overall repays the half hour or so to remove and refit the radiator. Here’s another tip. The book talks about removing the auxiliary drive belts and then tells you to remove the water pump pulley. Actually it’s a lot easier if you crack the nuts first before you undo the belts because they stop the damn pulley turning which is dead tricky otherwise. As the book says, you drain all the coolant, remove the alternator, power steering pump, the bracket holding the power steering pump (if you don’t remove this you can’t get one of the sticky-out bits of the timing cover past it) and as suggested, I recommend removing the radiator as it gives you loads more space to work. The water pump is also removed and like the timing cover has three different sized securing bolts. I also think it’s a good idea to note which one goes where, as the book doesn’t have a diagram for it and it saves a few minutes at the end of the day juggling them round to see which fits best. You have to remove the crankshaft pulley and damper to remove the timing cover. This means undoing the crankshaft nut. The book says there are two ways to do this. (There is a third way used by some in the trade but I think it’s too dangerous to try, let alone mention). Option A is to put the vehicle in low box, first gear with diff lock and apply the handbrake. Option B is to fabricate a metal bar that bolts to the crankshaft damper and jams against the chassis. I tried option A and found the vehicle kept moving so resorted to option B. In fact, having made the bar, it also turns out to be quite handy when putting stuff back together again. The picture shows its construction and that’s why I needed an angle grinder as well as a drill last time. With the timing cover off you need to lock everything at TDC.
This is where you need the pump locking tool and the flywheel locking tool. As you can see from the photo, I made my flywheel tool spring loaded (initially I used a rubber band which works fine). The advantage of this is that you can work single handed, rotating the crank until you hear the pin go click and everything stops moving. The pump timing pin is important too because if you lose the timing on the injection pump you are in BIG trouble. The belt comes off fairly easily as per the instructions. Then give everything a good clean. Obviously if any oil is evident, you will need to replace the crankshaft oil seal behind the toothed cog. Fitting the new belt is awkward because it hasn’t stretched like the old one. Getting the adjuster assembly to lift high enough to get the bolt back in the hole was proving tricky this time. In hindsight, I could have engaged the 1/2” driver to lift some more tension but I chose to remove the idler pulley as mentioned in the manual. Up to this point everything had been going really well; perhaps too well. The stud that holds the pulley is only 1/2” long and to my horror, as I undid it the thread stripped inside the block of the engine. The solution was to drill and tap out to M12, then turn a piece of metal on the lathe and cut M12 one end, and M10 the other. Bad luck it has to be said, but this is the kind of thing that can happen. So, with the belt fitted you need a dial type torque wrench and a 1/2” extension bar inserted in the square hole on the adjuster plate. Last time I found that I needed to grind the bobble off to stop it jumping out of the hole - its now another special tool that sits in my toolbox. Putting it all back together is relatively straightforward. Usual good practice applies with regard to cleaning the old gasket material from faces and not using sealant. A tip here; a tyre lever levered against the power steering pump plate is a good way to get belt tension. Similarly, it can pushed behind the alternator and levered against the top through-bolt. It’s a full day’s work, and in my case I’d lost time to make the new stud. It was late, I was tired and it was dark and cold. All I needed to do was to fit the radiator, fill it up and I was done. Again, thanks Bearmach for the wrong radiator. Thankfully, Richard of Richards 4x4, whose garage I was working at, kindly loaned me an OLD Defender 110 for the weekend. Was I glad to get my Disco back on the Monday when the proper radiator arrived. Incidentally, do all 110’s have random steering and a dead duck in the back? If anyone feels confident enough to tackle this job and would like to borrow the special tools, then contact me by email: alexdrummond@care4free.net.
Page 9 - Discourse 11
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Discourse 11 - page 10
Stan Banks 21.11.00First class work & service. If only all businesses were run like yours!……Alex Aldous vehicle done on 1.12.00 Absolutely excellent in all respects; efficient, thorough and a service which was refreshingly reliable and honest. It was a pleasure to deal with you. I am only sorry I did not write to thank you earlier… ……John Briscoe vehicle done on 14.7.00 Enthusiastic & committed to perfection………David Parson vehicle done on 7.2000 - a stress free experience. Alan Smith vehicle done on 4.5.01………..Excellent work. Very highly recommended. Max Zechbauer vehicle done on 4.3.01I shall certainly recommend your service. Best regards. Max…….Gaynor Cauter vehicle done on 4.8.00We first used you when you were “mobile” on the MG since then you did the E-type at Greenham and we were very pleased with it…..Gordon Davies vehicle done on 9.4.01 Very efficient/info pack well thought out - will recommend to all……….Gareth Jones vehicle done on 13.8.01 Keep it up. Great service & excellent technically…….Martin Tyler vehicle done on 8.4.01 Very pleased with the service. I will return the car for a check up in the spring. Definitely worth the money…….Roger Randall vehicle done on 10.7.01Thank you for a job well done………Greg Harrison vehicle done on 27.5.01 Very satisfied and would use your services again……..Stan Banks vehicle done on 2.11.00 First Class work & service. If only all businesses were run like yours!…….Darren Archer vehicle done on 15.4.01I have enclosed an article I wrote for my local Land Rover club of which I’m a member…….Raymond Humphries vehicle done on 24.8.00 I had an enjoyable afternoon & evening. Everything went as planned . I have no recurring rust problems and the car appears as good as new still. I shall pass you name & service on to a friend who has just bought a low mileage XJS in case he finds any rustproofing requirements. …….Keith Knight vehicle done on 16.11.00 Good job well done. Thank you! David Leck vehicle done on 19.8.01………None at all as the service is very slick. The only reason full marks cannot be given is due to the amount of hidden steel work in sills and box sections in the e-type monocoque and I cannot see inside! Your service is being recommended to fellow Classic Car enthusiasts. Derek Milton vehicle done on 30.08.01 Great job Chris, all the very best for the future……Jane Anderson vehicle done on 15.2.01 I was very pleased with the service I received. Good luck & Happy New Year……..Nick Peat vehicle done on 29.7.00 Excellent………Paul Gluckman vehicle done on 25.03.01In summary, I think your system is excellent & cannot be faulted. I have given your details to a number of folk - particularly Land Rover & Jaguar owners. I wish you well with all your continued developments and hope to see you in the new year………Roy Martin vehicle done on 3.9.01Excellent. Keep it up. Mike O’Dwyer Can’t really say any more, to what is an excellent job that you do, with the backup you provide. (things to do in and around Newbury) Excellent. With regards Mike……..Jonathan Miles vehicle done on 20.5.01 Excellent Service. Workmanship without fault. Highly recommended…..Brian Parker vehicle done on 12.10.00 Very good service, vehicle was very clean on pick up…….. Trevor Edwards vehicle done on 5.5.01Considering the filthy job that rustproofing is, I thought the vehicle came back remarkably clean on top………Tim Shickle vehicle done on 23.1.01She is very happy with her waxoyl coat. Thanks!!…….Marian Brown vehicle done on 13.03.01Excellent service. We’re thinking of having our other car done!……….Paul Ives vehicle done on 7.6.01I was most impressed by everything - you seem to have thought of everything and the whole service more than lived up to expectations. Thank you for your conscientious, hard work and such good arrangements………Mark Robbins vehicle done on 6.6.01A very professional service……….Mick Morton vehicle done on 25.05.01 Superb. Keep up the good work Chris. I have the option to purchase another Land Rover in the near future. If I do, I will be contacting you later. Yours Sincerely. ……….John Cole vehicle done on 11.03.01 Good Service and well done………….Peter Stickland vehicle done on 19.02.01Continue to keep your high standards. Very pleased to hear you’ve managed to improve your premises! Regrettably, appearance & state of premises are important although I was impressed with the overall job & workmanship. Best of luck in the future! I’ll come down to one of your “first” Sundays for a check-up during 2002. ……. John Hill vehicle done on 11.01.01 I was extremely satisfied. I will bring my RR back in one year or so……….Andrew Martin vehicle done on 28.9.01Very informative website. Useful information. Nice to not have to do it ourselves………..Julian Beale vehicle done on 1.12.00Very good………James Brown vehicle done on 15.2.01 Excellent level of service with skilled application of rustproofing materials………Chris Cowley vehicle done on 3.2.01 First Class - will recommend to friends………George Watt vehicle done on 17.04.01No worries. Service and car excellent……..Simon Dolph vehicle done on 20.4.01All very good. Very pleased with the work done. Many people have commented positively on the car’s appearance………..Howard Morgan vehicle done on 14.2.2000I was very pleased with your service and if I still have the car in 2005 I will have it treated again………..Max Parker vehicle done on 10.5.2000 Very satisfied, a good service……..Steve Stirling vehicle done on 10.2000 Don’t think you can improve on an excellent service, apart from car hire for Sunday customers. (free courtesy car now provided - Chris) Wishing you all the best for the years to come - keep up the good service………..Ian Law vehicle rustproofed on 13.3.00 superb service well done by a very professional person who knows exactly what he is doing; giving a peace of mind serive; Knowing your vehicle is in capable hands; Knowing it is also in safe hands……..John Jeffrey vehicle rustproofed on 8.5.00 First Class job carried out with good attention to detail. Many thanks……………..Rod Powell vehicle rustproofed on 10.5.00 Would use again without hesitation. Good, clean and worthwhile service………Sean Mann vehicle rustproofed on 11.3.00 Excellent Service. Very pleased………Barry Thrussell vehicle rustproofed on 25.4.00 Very good job. Extremely pleased. Would use again……..Peter Coleman vehicle rustproofed on 31.5.00 Very impressed. A job well done. Thank you……Mike Farr vehicle rustproofed on 3.3.00 I was very impressed with the appontment system & Chris Parkinson’s enthusiasm for what is a very dirty job…… …John Evans vehicle rustproofed on 18.6.00 My service garage commented on how well the job had been done…………..Clive Gore vehicle rustproofed on 28.2.00 I was very pleased with the quality of the service, the work was first class and I shall be back in the future………..William Steele vehicle rustproofed on 8.9.00 Very pleased
KLEENtect testimonials Alan Graham writes: Dear Chris, We recently took the Landrover to Tuscany and covered nearly 3.000 miles in the process. It wasn’t cleaned for almost a month. The worst I could find underneath was dried chalk dust which can be wiped off. Nothing but the “sheen” has disappeared and this we know can be brought back with minimal effort. In exchange for an underside clean; I would be happy at some stage (ideally the spring) to return the vehicle for you to inspect yourself. Regards Alan P.S. We recently had a 60 metre trench dug for waterpipes and had clay everywhere. There is no evidence of any sticking to the treated parts of the vehicle. Ken Goodwin writes: Dear Chris, I am very pleased with the “treatment” you carried out on my Range Rover, the appearance is immaculate. No mud, dirt or grime seems to stick to the underside ie chassis wheelarches etc. On November 17th 02 I took the vehicle for an MOT (it passed). A mechanic said I must have given the vehicle a good jetwashing as the underside is so clean yet I have not touched a jet washer or hose to use on the vehicle since you treated it. I suppose a good test will be through the Winter months when the roads get very mucky and it will be interesting to see the result in say early 2003. I feel confident it will still be clean. I will make a note in my diary to phone you regarding the condition around that date. Best Wishes Ken More KLEENtect testimonials at www.before-n-after.co.uk/customer.htm
Members’ Stories
Second Time Lucky... Rob Macey
I thought readers may be interested in an experience I had just after I bought my second Discovery, (I’m now on my third!). When looking to replace my early 3 door J940 FKH with something a bit more up to date with 5 doors (growing family), I saw in my local garage a 1994 300 tdi in green with side steps, roller blind, etc., priced at about £12,000 (this was about 4 years ago). After a test drive and haggling over the price, I became the proud owner of M904 AVV and all was very rosy for a while... Then the phone rang. It was Greater Manchester Police (I live in Derby) asking if I was the owner of the car I’d just bought. Very gingerly I replied “yes”. Then the bombshell! They said they knew the whereabouts of another green Discovery with the same registration number and that they had to find out which was the ‘real’ one! I was in shock for a while, imagining all my hard earned cash disappearing with someone saying “wasn’t his to sell mate” and leaving me without a leg to stand on. Coming to my senses I realised I had in fact got the ‘real’ one. I was sure, because I’d rang the previous owner who’d kindly sent me the spare key fob and key and answered some questions about the vehicle history, etc. What a relief!!
An HPI check had been done, but this wouldn’t have shown anything wrong. Arrangements were then made for a police examination (the car - not me). They photographed everything, engine numbers, gearbox numbers, axle bar-codes, etc. They were even able to give me the radio code from a Land Rover print out of the car! I must add here that the police were excellent and treated me with respect from beginning to end. Anyway, they confirmed what I already knew, that this was the genuine car and explained how it had been ‘ringed’. Apparently, when cars are waiting at auction, a bogus buyer will look over the vehicle, note the registration and vin, then later ring DVLA and ask for a replacement log book, which is issued with no questions asked! All the low life has to do then is to steal a green Discovery and put new plates on it. Now we have two the same! The moral of this tale is to check and then check again. Remember, an HPI check won’t tell you if you’re buying a ringer. I was lucky, many aren’t. If anyone knows the whereabouts of my previous Discoverys, please drop me a line at maceyrob@aol.com Editor’s note: Latest scam is to avoid paying London’s congestion charges by stealing a set of numberplates so some other poor so and so gets the fine. If you wake up one morning and find your plates missing, call the Police immediately.
LandAid to Poland Bob Burns
From Yorkshire, I’m a member of LandAid; a Leeds based Church charity supported by a number of local 4x4 clubs. They recently took a forty foot container full of humanitarian aid to an orphanage near Drawsko Pomorski, in Poland. Many of the donations come from people or organisations wishing to remain anonymous; a bed manufacturer gave bed mattresses, a cycle shop supplied parts that allowed seventeen bicycles to be refurbished, and the list goes on. The charity also collects clothing and other essentials to make the children’s plight more bearable. The orphanage is home to eighty five children from ages of 5 to 18 years.
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1 - The artic. used, 2 - Marshalling the load,
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3 - Three of the Leeds crew, 4 - Local staff, dignitaries and some of the orphans When we got there, I used my Discovery to give the children rides in a forest near to Drawsko Pomorski. The trip was not without its amusing incidents. They were having a barbecue on the lakeside when this big bloke shambled up to them and asked if they could pull him out. Discovery to the rescue! The Polish driver had been demonstrating the marvels of his newly acquired Korean 4x4. He was high on vodka and cherry brandy and it had rained! He was bottomed out with both front wheels hanging over a ditch and the back wheels well and truly spun in. Discovery to the rescue, except there was nothing to attach the tow rope shackle to – no chassis. The driver wanted to put it round the track rod!
Page 11 - Discourse 11
Members’ Stories What should have been a five minute job took much longer whilst the interpreter tried to explain how we were going to help. With some rocks collected to go under the wheels and a bit of manhandling of the ‘plastic’ 4x4, a swift tug and it was out!
So We Bought One!! Derick Miles
I bought a ’93 Discovery 3 door TDi about a month ago for rather special reasons. I’m in my early 70’s, a retired motor dealer of some forty years and an adventurous caravanner for the same period. Having got stuck in an isolated spot in Scotland last August in deluges of rain and mud, I thought it about time to take a little more care of ourselves (my wife Joan is the same age). You see, we had to be got out with a JCB and when you have a rather expensive new and large caravan, one’s idiotic tendencies come into focus and the mind has to be concentrated, which at that time, it was. We’ve always kept a spare vehicle for towing the caravan and on this occasion it was a Scorpio diesel 2.5. I was never very happy with the Ford since the turbo never got active until you got up to about 2300 rpm.
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Key to pictures: 5 - Bob’s Disco doing the children’s rides, 6&7 - Disco to the rescue!, 8 - Barbecue time. Incidentally, the man in the clown suit was not the Polish driver! He is one of the orphans and a deaf mute. He shows considerable talent and with specialist training is overcoming the unknown trauma that left him in this state. He has started to speak again but has appeared on local stage and television shows as a mime entertainer. So far, the team have completed three trips to Poland and they meet up with the Chairman of the Polish Land Rover Club. On a recent trip they discovered and returned with what appears to be a Camel Trophy 110, but its provenance is still being checked out.
Discourse 11 - page 12
Joan suggested that we get a 4 wheel drive car and started to become interested in Discos. I did a fair amount of research and decided that since we were only going to do about 1500 miles a year and that there was only two of us, we could save some cash by going for an early model but buy it from a dealer. This we eventually did. Yes, I did try it and noted a few problems, noted the mileage at 113K, noted the history and was very pleased with the condition both under, over and within. The asking price was 6K and I offered 5K, the deal was done and a few days later I brought the vehicle 40 miles home, which was part of my road test. At this stage I have to point out that I also have a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow which, under the circumstances of being a retired motor dealer, does not influence me in appraising a commercial type LR. But quality of engineering is important to me and I have found the Discovery very well made with many attractive features. And yes, we have had a few problems.
Members’ Stories First off, a wheel wobble at about 55 to 60 mph, a vibration through the entire vehicle when accelerating, a whine in the transmission on drive, slack in the drive take-up and lousy lighting. I sorted out the wheel wobble by having the front wheels balanced and the tracking done. I also fitted a new steering damper. I’ve yet to sort out the vibration but feel that it could be something to do with ‘hardened ‘ engine and gearbox mounts; I hope so anyway. Due to the high mileage and what I paid for the vehicle, I feel that I’ve got to put up with the drive slack and whine. No doubt it will cost me a grand to have the gearbox and transfer box replaced, but it might be worth it. We do like the Discovery. And now the lighting….ouch!! I’m going to put a few new fused lines in with relays, upgrade the wattages, stick a couple of fogs on plus a long range drive lamp. I will drive the relays from the existing circuits and leave all existing connections in tact as a fail safe procedure. I’ll also increase the ‘reverse’ lighting just to see a bit better. I also intend to pop in a small sounder and relay to tell me when I’ve left the lights on when leaving the car, the circuit’s quite a simple one. I’ve already done about 900 miles in the first month of ownership. We like the ‘go anywhere’ feel, plus looking over hedges and sometimes looking down on people! This makes a change because when we’re out in the RR, folks look down on us because we’re ‘gas guzzlers’. I reckon we’ll be doing a lot of miles in the Discovery. Any advice from you experts out there? And yes, we might be taking in a bit of green lane activity too.
Class of ’93 Alan Smart
I was about two miles from the garage with Memsahib following in the Range Rover when there was a clonk. The engine went lumpy and stopped. Oh, the ignominy! I had to be towed in! A quick inspection revealed two bent push rods. A more detailed strip down showed the bolt that holds the camshaft pulley in place had come loose. The rhythmic ticking was it rattling about and the clonk was the pulley shearing. Ouch! The cam is a write off but the front bearing was unmarked. If that had been damaged, it’s a block out job and a trip to a specialist machinist. To add insult to injury, a piece of swarf had found its way into the oil pump so that had to be replaced – twice, as the first one turned out to be duff. After 174,000 hard miles I suppose it could have been worse. While it was in bits we took the opportunity to fit a new radiator as it had shown signs of blocking and, on closer inspection, many of the cooling fins had become detached. It all looked very sad. My bank account is now the worse for wear….. The One-Ten has been giving me a headache as well. It started to blow fuses for the off-side side light circuit. I checked all the bulb holders, tow bar wiring (it was awful but not at fault) and the visible wiring. Unlike a Discovery, on all ‘traditional’ Land Rovers, the main harness is carried inside the main chassis member. As there have been no chassis repairs I was happy the harness had not been damaged but the fault was definitely in the rear section. As a temporary fix I cut the wire under the bonnet to isolate the front and rear circuits and wired the off-side rear light to the near-side but I think I shall run an independent wire for the rear light as the final fix.
First, the good news: the One-Ten door seal finally arrived! It’s only been six months. Will it nowtake another six to get fitted?
The Range Rover has been behaving itself but desperately needs a new top tailgate due to rust, a common failure.
With the Discovery’s MoT due in March, it was time to do something about my nudge bar (or bull bar, if you prefer). Over the last ten years the plastic coating had become damaged and the bar had rusted through in places leaving some unsightly, sharp edges. Ten minutes work with an angle grinder and B-bar became an A-bar!
Finally, look what I’ve just bought – a pre-production five-door Discovery. It’s left-hand drive with a 3.5Efi. It’s in bit of a sorry state but I intend to restore it to its former glory whilst trying to keep it as original as possible. I had to fit a new rear exhaust and it desperately needs a load space floor and the offside sill looks a bit ropy. It leaks like a sieve (I suspect the Alpine lights, rear gutter and the windscreen seal) but drives very well considering the tyres it’s on. The discs will need replacing soon as well but I gave a fair price and I hope to have it at future shows once I’ve had a chance to ‘reDiscovery’ it.
After all the reports in this magazine about the lousy lights on ‘Jay’ models, I thought I’d try a different tack. I’ve previously tried 80/100 watt bulbs (they melt the nylon connector over time) so I’m trying a set of Halfords 30% brighter. So far, so good. The improvement is noticeable and after two months there is no sign of them fading. I guess with the lighter days approaching I won’t know for a while. Valentine’s Day won’t be forgotten in a hurry. I had been in Holland on business but as I had driven to Southampton airport there had been a rhythmic ticking noise from the engine. It sounded like a tappet so I arranged to take it to the Land Rover doctor on my return – Valentine’s Day.
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Members’ Stories Members Stories
Discovering the Discovery Derrick Paddock
My interest in off-roading started in the mid sixties with motorbike trials and scrambles. Later my interest turned to shooting and fed up with getting stuck, I wanted a Land Rover. I found what appeared to be a rather nice Series 2A SWB Safari. Unfortunately, it was written off in an accident along with the car of the lady driver. This was followed by two early Subaru estates (the same version as the pick-ups) with M&S tyres. These were good in snow and mud but lacked ground clearance and spares were mega-expensive. After rust and corrosion put paid to these, I spent a couple of years looking for a good Land Rover again. A One-Ten was what I had in mind, but then along came a 200Tdi Discovery with full service history, new cam belt, low mileage and in very good condition. Love at first sight! I just had to have it. The first drive in the dark and I soon discovered that the stories of virtually non-existent headlamp illumination was true. Then I heard about the Discovery Owners Club and joined. Our first club visit was Abingdon. I’ve since been to a couple of off-road training days, one with the Club and a quarry day with another organisation. I also went to the last Abingdon day, which I thought was very good. I’ve also been to half a dozen pay and drive days local to where I live in Warwickshire and the off-road ability of the Discovery never fails to amaze me, as it is only fitted with A/T tyres. Some of my off-road driving experience was gained with a previous employer (4x4, 6x6 and 6x8) but that experience was not as good as the fun I’ve had with the Discovery.
A couple of days later the fuses blow yet again but this time there is smoke coming from behind the dash. After failing to find the fault a trip to a friendly local garage was required. With the dash removed the fault was easily found; the wires appear to have been stretched over the wiper motor during manufacture and eventually chafed through the five wires that had melted together. With the new wiring installed, there should be (dare I say) no more electrical problems. I’d always wanted a hi-lift jack with the adapters and recovery points. Having bought them I found you have to drill the front bumper brackets. If only I’d waited; this was covered in the last edition of Discourse and would have stopped all my cussing during fitting! I also found it necessary to do a bit of fettling to get the jack to operate smoothly during lowering. Just before doing this I had to fit new front brake pads (I found Ferodo the cheapest at Halfords), and also the brake pressure valve (driver’s side front inner wing) has been changed, which was bought mail-order from the pages of LRO. Now the power steering is getting a bit noisy but I’m looking forward to my next off-road jaunt!!
Hartington Quarry in August Peter Coxon Taylor
Well I got around to writing this after dropping many hints to Tiggy that we should write something to DOC about the Buxton District Land Rover Club’s 4x4 day outside Hartington in Derbyshire; meaning that she should write, but it didn’t work. What a friendly welcome to us all. We had taken Tiggy’s son and his girlfriend to let her to have a go off-road for the first time. She did very well and I hope she’s hooked. Tiggy and myself had seen the area before; we live in Derby and love to walk in the Peak District. However, we found the site to be much bigger than can be seen from the road. The site is a quarry featuring loads of humps and bumps plus steep climbs and even more testing areas for the serious 4x4 driver. The mud run with pool and bend attracted the usual crowd of people to watch the brave (me not being one of them) succeed and fail. All good fun, especially the delight and surprise of the children when a fire engine arrived to fill the mud run with water, on a regular basis.
Waiting at the wash down point at Abingdon Driving along one day, the indicator fuse blew. I replaced the fuse, and it blew again. At home, I checked the bulbs and wiring and it all appeared to be fine. A few days later the fuse blows yet again. This time the clock and radio stopped working as well – more blown fuses! The replacements blow as well. A check of earths and indicator wiring does not come up with the fault.
Discourse 11 - page 14
The grown up kids’ delight was of course the well marshalled off road sections, with controlled entry and exit points to the parking area containing the necessary hot dog and bacon butty stand and the toilets. The best thing laid on ‘free’ by Buxton District Land Rover club was a jet wash area, powered by a vintage tractor to clean off the mud at the end of the day before leaving the site. Well done. Other clubs might take note.
Members’ Stories As usual, on my final round (it’s always the last run that gets you!), a good jolt down through a narrow gully sets off my hazard warning lights and they would not stop. A Discovery Owners Club member (sorry your name has gone from my head, but thanks) came to my rescue as he had had the same problem earlier in the morning on his 200Tdi. His advice was to pull a 15 amp fuse and replace it. My 300Tdi had a different fuse box but I started pulling fuses, which set off the alarm system - Oops! Fortunately, I was able to replace the correct fuse and reset the system by turning on the ignition key when both the alarm stops and the hazard lights stop flashing. I decided it was time to head home!!
Note: If you ever have to remove these two items then I suggest you store them for the refit as they are like rocking horse s**t to get hold of; most of the gaiters that I found on the wrecks were split. Back home with the parts, work continued on putting the interior back together.
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If you see Tiggy, myself and our Dirty Mean and Nasty (the mud flaps tell all) Discovery, come over and say Hello.
Treasure Hunt with a Difference Pt 3 - Paul Walker
Refitting of the sound proofing matting inside Donald proved to be a bit of a hit and miss exercise; I had to cut it to fit the original matting (photos 1+2) and there was the problem of parts, still on order from L/Rover. This was holding up the refit of the car interior, so we decided to visit a breakers (Equipcar) in Wolverhampton where, as a stroke of luck would have it, was a very bent 300di ES sat inside their work bays. Soon after a quick chat to the owner to get the OK to work on the wreck and I was inside the cab area removing the floor carpet and centre console to get at the sound proof matting. The reason why? Land Rover could not source the small piece of foam that sits around the gear lever and I was also after the rubber gaiter that is pop riveted to the transmission tunnel.
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Members’ Stories Nick turned up with the head and intercooler on one Monday night and proceeded to rebuild the engine. I refitted the complete exhaust system, which I’d removed to allow the water to drain out. The rear bumper returned from the welders and was test fitted. This is an O/E rear bumper that has been modified with extra steel plate welded to it to strengthen it. The welder had taken the bumper away to complete the modifications. Nick was now in the process of checking Donald ready for a start up................ Battery had been on charge for a week, engine oil was added and a new air filter fitted. Every thing was double-checked. I climbed aboard and turned the key........... Donald coughed into life on the first turn, ran for a bit and then died.... Nick and I tried to re start the car many times that night but she just wouldn’t fire up. Nick traced the fault to the starter relay and plans were made to get Donald over to Nick’s works ASAP. Nick works in a lovely large warm workshop. I won’t let on what he does for a living, you’ll have to ask him. Anyway, Nick and Paul had Donald for about three weeks and slowly fixed all the little problems in between doing their full time jobs while I finally talked the wife into buying a snorkel (a bit late now) which was purchased from M+M 4x4 at Worcester. Donald was returned in full working order; she started on the key and stopped on the key, the rear work lamp had been wire up via the ignition, and all the relays and various electrical connectors had been dried out. She was a dream to drive, if a bit noisy. It was time to fit the snorkel. Here I would like to thank Tim Kemp for his help on this matter and also for all the sarcastic comments on those nights he helped us. Tim, it has been noted!! The scariest part about fitting the snorkel is the cutting of the large hole in the body wing. Drilling out the 6 small holes for the bolts was no problem but when it comes to cutting out a 86 mm hole in one go, it’s a daunting task, because if you have got the pilot hole in the wrong place then it’s down to the dealer or breakers for a new wing. Final fitting of all the interior trim took place on a Sunday night in mid November (a very cold night). There was a reason for working late at night; the Worcs section of the DOC had planned a trip to Ypres in Belguim for the weekend of November 29th. 2002 and we were on it. It’s amazing what gets done when there’s the mention of beer and a trip over the water. Donald was now ready for its first serious test since the rebuild, would it cope or would it be a piggy-back home on the RAC. Well, lets put it like this, Donald sat all the way from Redditch to Dover at around the 95 mph and didn’t miss a beat. He clocked up just under 700 miles on the weekend in Ypres and not one leak or fault did he show. I was amazed so was Nick and Paul come to that.... At last Donald could raise his head again (or periscope). It took till mid December for the first faults to appear, there was a grinding noise from the rear wheel bearing, fixed by replacement of all axle bearings and hub seals. Next the rear brakes started to bind, fixed by replacement of all discs both rear callipers and a complete set of brakes shoes all round. Also, while I was at it, the gearbox and transfer box
Discourse 11 - page 16
oils were dropped and renewed. Both axle oils were dropped and changed and basically anything under the car was either renewed or cleaned up. This has lead to the car costing me a small fortune in parts and a very large debt to the wife. So, a small piece of advise to you fellow Discovery owners: If you need to enter a ford make sure you create the bow wave in front of the car. I didn’t and ended up with one flooded car, and if you need to wade water buy a snorkel, it only costs about £190. Unlike my total bill: Nick’s Bill £190 Axles / gearboxes £60 Hub seals £90 Brake light switch £15 Brake pads / discs / calliper £140 Wheel bearings £64 Prop UJs £20 Engine oil / filter £25 Equipcar parts £175 this now includes an ABS Box Original Land Rover order £465 As you can see just over £1,000 is a lot of money against £190 for the snorkel Finally, my acknowledgements to Nick Evetts, Tim Kemp, Chris Mayneord, Paul Windsor, Vicky Hill for the video & stills, Chris @ M+M 4x4, Rod & Greg at Land Rover Droitwich, Paul & Mark Allard + Bob at MJA Land Rover services, and last but not least, my wife Ann who has put up with a lot of stick from members of the Worcs. group and my favourite saying “It’s a Land Rover thing, it will always need repairing”.
Petrolhead Revisited John Appleton
Following Stephan Tapp’s contribution in Discourse 9, I thought I would add my tuppence worth! I used to drive a 300Tdi. I loved every minute of the three years I owned it, including its foibles. Even the times when closing the glove box would set the hazard warning lights off and the only way to stop them was to take out the fuse! I especially liked chasing dumpers across the building sites I had to visit, although the site managers never seemed to approve. The only downside was, with diesel at 87p a litre at the time and travelling 30,000 miles a year, the vehicle wasn’t cost effective for me to use for work. So it would have to be replaced with an ordinary car and a pair of new wellies. But the bug had bitten; not just for me, my wife was just as bad. I had long wanted a V8 (to be honest anything with a V8) and being basically tight-fisted, the idea of LPG was, to say the least, attractive. I read everything that I could find about it for some time and felt that I understood all the pros and cons.
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Although, not having an engineering background, I would not was switched to petrol; although it always started and ran OK pretend to understand all of the technicalities. on petrol. On our second visit to the installing garage the two lambda sensors were pronounced dead. No output. They It was close to when the 300Tdi had to go and the leasing would have to be replaced at £140 each plus VAT, plus fitting. I company wanted silly money for it. That was when I came across questioned if these should have failed on a 30,000-mile vehicle. two 1996 ex Land Rover V8i autos at the local main dealer. One I was told that it was a common fault on LPG conversions, had done 5,000 miles and the other 15,000 miles. What’s more, especially new Range Rovers with which they had experience the asking prices were sensible. Within hours the 5,000 miler of repeated failures. was ours, and the fate of my wife’s Golf was sealed. A week later we were a two Discovery family. At this point alarm bells started to ring. I had not read of problems with sensors on converted vehicles and none of the From the start we intended to convert to LPG, but we took our convertors that I had spoken to had mentioned it. Should I be time as the fuel was not widely available then and I wanted to surprised at the latter? Naturally, none of my sums on the cost ask a lot more questions of converters before having it done. effectiveness of the conversion had included £400 every two We eventually settled on a local Land Rover specialist who had a years for new lambda sensors. mechanic who had been trained at the factory of the particular LPG conversion manufacturer – and they were nearby, should To add to the confusion, a friend who had been a Volvo service anything go wrong. Nothing did go wrong and my wallet was manager confirmed that they had never replaced a sensor on very pleased with the result: about 12 mpg in general use and a bi-fuel car. They did however get some Volvo conversions in 15-17 mpg on long runs. We fitted a Kenlowe fan. It did exactly with fault codes showing on the computer which simply cleared what it said on the box and we get 13 mpg in normal use, but no without need for repair. The ex-works cars had four sensors: change on long runs. separate sets for petrol and gas; the after-market only two. So why do the sensors on Land Rovers fail? By now, you may be asking yourselves what is the point of this epistle. Two words – lambda sensors. To further add to the confusion the stalling persisted, but it was eventually diagnosed as a software problem and rectified. After two very happy years of burbling along we started to get It runs nicely now. At a recent MoT test, the tester said the a starting problem. On gas when it was cold and whenever it emissions were perfect. I assume that he meant they were
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correctly adjusted. So, had the vehicle been running happily on dead sensors before the software problem? I have no way of knowing. I have been told different stories about the default settings of the ECU, one being that it will not run on gas on the default settings. The vehicle is wonderful and we wouldn’t dream of changing it, but I would appreciate some words of wisdom from the technically competent on the subject. I would suggest those of you contemplating LPG conversions to allow a bit more for unexpected expenditure in your calculations. Editor’s note: We’ve been running our 3.9Efi Range Rover on gas for over two years without problem. I showed your article to our installer and he hadn’t heard about this either. One point I would make though, you should allow the engine to get to operating temperature before switching to gas. The vaporiser uses heat from the heater circuit to flash off the gas. If it’s cold, you can get an effect similar to carburettor icing and this can wreck the diaphragm in the vaporiser. Gas is still cheap, is getting more plentiful and is much cleaner. You’ll be surprised how clean the oil keeps.
The French Connection Don Gilbert
Having always driven saloon or estate cars for most of my working life, I had a hankering to own a 4x4. After some discussion with my wife, we decided to forego the selection of a Freelander - which had been our preferred choice to that point - and buy a TD5 Discovery. That was 2 years ago and despite some initial misgivings from the lady driver (“It’s huge, I’ll never get the hang of that thing”- where have I heard that before? and “Park it? It’s got no lock”), my wife now drives the Discovery like a consummate professional; on-road off course. Nothing unusual there, but we’re both in our late 50’s and are moving to live in France later this year. Friends have asked if we’re proposing to sell the Discovery to buy a French car, but there’s no way that we intend parting with the TD5. We drive over there, together with three dogs, sometime in July. The house is in the South West of France near Agen and is situated on an unmade track in a very rural area with lots of woodland and hills, so knowing that we have a vehicle which can accommodate these conditions is quite a comforting thought. As everybody knows, the price of diesel in France is much less than in UK (about 50 pence a litre), so we will be able to afford exploration of the country using the Discovery without worrying too much about the antics of some of the French drivers. Our immediate neighbour owns a Land Rover, so perhaps I can start up a local French branch and persuade him to upgrade to a Discovery!! I intend remaining a member of the Club as I find the articles and information of immense interest and use.
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Committee Corner Alan Smart
The Committee met on January 26th. With the sad news of the death of member Diane Neill from the Yorkshire area, a minute’s silence was observed. It was agreed that a commemorative plaque would be erected at the Whitwood off-raod centre in her memory. The committee considered a budget for the following year. It was decided not to pursue the idea of a club trailer as the cost was too great for the time being although funding was agreed to buy a mini-marquee and other equipment for the club stand. The club website was discussed and the difficulty that Tim has loading information about event. This will be dealt with to ensure the website can be kept up-to-date. It was agreed we should have a permanent presence at the Heritage Centre, Gaydon, by having a plaque displayed. It is hoped this will be ready for the AGM.
The 2003 AGM The meeting was well attended with 61 members. This year the event was more formal than previously with members being asked to sign in and use voting cards, which were issued. Each committee member gave a brief report on the year’s activities and what the new year might have to offer. Formal business was concluded without too much debating, the accounts and the proposed budget accepted and a new committee elected (see page 3). Two rule changes and a clarification were voted on and carried: full membership has remained unchanged at £17, whereas the associate membership has been replaced to offer better value. A family membership has been introduced at a very reasonable £20. This will cover all family members related to the named member for Public Liability Insurance and one additional vote at the AGM. From now on membership fees would be renewable on the anniversary of joining, not twice yearly. This represents better value for money for the members and spreads the workload for the Membership Secretary. Members’ questions at AOB were interesting and varied. The committee also agreed to look into other way members can pay including bank transfers and a fixed, non-refundable five-year membership fee. The question of e-Discourse came up again but it was pointed out the size of the published file and the likely consequence on member’s phone bills but it is something we can consider for the future. If currently you want an e-copy, then a back issue CD is available from the Club Shop or the Membership Secretary. After a ‘comfort break’, members were invited to suggest what merchandise the club shop should stock and the new club shop officer is now collating these ideas. Everyone was then asked to stand up and introduce themselves by name and forum moniker, where appropriate. This produced several amusing moments and in one case, two people who had been in regular forum communication were sitting next to each other without realising who the other was. It was over in two and a half hours after which time members could spend the rest of the day at the Heritage Museum.
Down Your Way
North Worcs / South Midlands A Trip to Ypres - Nick Evetts
16 hungry travellers; indeed they could and we all had our fill of excellent food, wine and several different Belgian beers – well, we were only 200 yards from the hotel!
And so it came to pass, North Worcestershire DOC group had a requirement to go to Ypres, Belgium. Paul Jones is Mr. Arranger, especially when it comes to getting large numbers of people and cars across the channel. He seems to know who to speak to and of course, get the best deals! The trip was to be via Sea Cat, return Dover-Calais plus two nights Bed and Breakfast in the Novotel in Ypres (that’s “wipers” to anyone who doesn’t speak Flemish)!
On Saturday morning, after an excellent buffet breakfast, it was decided to have a wander around Ypres - an excellent market, the Menin gate and a very interesting walk along the ramparts. We all met up to go into the ‘Flanders Field’ museum in the cloth hall. Paul Jones persuaded the cashier to allow us all in on a group ticket, even though we were four short for the discount! I am sure everyone present in the museum was deeply moved by what they saw – an incredible experience!
After much discussion, bookings and cancellations, we finalised on only five Discoverys, but hey! that meant one 200 Tdi, two 300 Tdis, one Mpi and one Romulus V8; an exceptional convoy. We had 16 bodies in the five Discos - work out the ratios yourselves. We (Eve, Jackie, Derek and me) left Bromsgrove at 11:30 am, caught up with Paul Jones (H557 USH) on the M40 around Banbury, and Paul Walker caught up with us at the M40/M25 junction. We stopped at Clacketts Lane for a coffee and, by ‘phone, located Paul and Debbie Windsor somewhere on the M20. Simon Grego joined us in his V8 as we got onto the M20 from the M26 and we finally met the Windsors on the last lay-by before Dover. Yeeees. Five Disco’s drove into the Hoverport Customs checks and were accepted onto an earlier Sea Cat at 4:00 pm; a huge time bonus of two hours.
At last it was time to form up in a convoy. First stop fuel, especially for Simon in the V8, and next stop ‘Hooge Crater’ museum after an extensive photo call of the Discos of course! Following a late lunch, a look around this museum and then off to the next visit – Hill 62 which is a museum of some rather macabre photos with an extensive preserved trench system outside – another photo call.
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1 Outside the Hooge Crater Museum 2 Amongst the Trenches of Hill 62 I led the convoy from Calais to Ypres having fixed a blue convoy light in the back window which seemed to be very effective because everyone followed me for the 60 or so miles. As a result of being two hours in front, Paul Jones disappeared soon after booking into the Novotel. He went to a favourite restaurant called ‘De Trompet’ to see if they could accommodate
From Hill 62 it is five miles (as the crow flies) to Passendale; a scene of great carnage in World War One. We then drove a little further in convoy past many more memorials and small cemeteries to reach ‘Tyne Cot’ cemetery; the largest commonwealth cemetery of the First World War. Here there are 11,000 graves and 34,000 names of the missing engraved on the crescent wall. It is a very tranquil place! The light was now beginning to fade, therefore once again in convoy, we returned to Ypres to the hotel’s underground car park (a good piece of video exists). After a couple of hours relaxation it was back to the 16-seat table at ‘De Trompet’; hospitality at its best! A fairly late night rounded off in the bar at the hotel saw everyone tired, and so to bed. Next morning, after another great breakfast, time to check out. This time a return convoy back to Calais; a rather wet journey, however a dry, warm welcome awaited us at ‘La Brazza’ – another of Paul Jones’ watering holes! The proprietor, Robert, insisted on buying us all a drink to celebrate his birthday! This place is French Sunday pub drinking, though obviously not for the drivers! Next, it was to complete the ‘booze cruise’ and fill up with cheap diesel at ‘The Auchan’ hypermarket, and for all sorts of pre-Christmas shopping pressies, food and of course booze, followed by a trip to Cité Europe, Carrefour, etc. Some of us decided to eat at ‘Bernard’s Farm’ which has become another firm favourite for us regular visitors to the ‘Pas de Calais’. Soon it was time to return to the Hoverport and a view of the Channel, which was rather rough; indeed so rough several of us were quite ill... No names, but I have sea legs – my father was a submariner!! We disembarked and made our own ways back – Paul Walker and the now dry ‘Donald’ made it first, although he was well in excess of the regulation pace! I am sure everyone would agree it was a great weekend, and hopefully not the last, and proving we can do many different things within the DOC.
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Down Your Way
Northampton
DOC Christmas Bash - A. Nonimouse It all started back in the summer of 2001 when we, as a fully operational regional DOC team, decided to have a Christmas do at our meeting place ‘The Quays at Billing’. It was decided to run it on our December club night and by all accounts it was a fantastic night so I was told, you see there was one glaring omission to that night: yes, you guessed it - ME. I had to work. So determined not to miss out in 2002 I made sure that I would be there, and I was so glad that I did as it turned out to be a great night. Here are some of the highlights.
In fact some people were so keen to win that they seamed to have bought most of the tickets judging by the number of times there numbers were pulled out (Maddi and Duncan). But in the end all the prizes were won and the proceeds collected were allocated to good causes.
First of all the turn out was better than expected, some forty odd DOC members and families from all over attended the event which kicked off at 7.30pm, with most people arriving about then. Some made polite conversation wishing to get to know other members, their families and interests. Others pushed straight to the bar; Garry, Simon, Frank, George and Neil, to name the keenest. Somewhat uncharacteristically, George had forgotten his wallet again; but you know how easy it is to forget the most essential things. Once we were all seated at last, Frank seemed to be a problem as he kept going up to other Christmas diners and trying to get them to buy a straight six One-Ten! The evening got going with a speech from our area rep Simon Kay, which was innovative, witty and entertaining. (well that’s what Simon told me it was I can’t remember apart from the fact that it was very long). After the speech there followed a number of well deserved presentations commencing with a painful reminder for Neil and myself of an altercation with a burned out Fiesta and a reshaped (and reshaped again) rear bumper. But by far the most deserved award was presented to Garry Tredwell for the great effort and work that went into the organisation of the club event at Abingdon, which was greatly appreciated. However, the award was slightly tainted by the fact that on his way back to his seat Garry was sick in the hood of a complete stranger’s anorak, something to do with six pints of Guinness and an iffy mince pie. Unfortunately for the victim the incident was not noticed until it was time to go and it had just started raining. The evening continued with a few well-chosen games, which had been devised by Neil and George, such as the caption competition which produced some very witty results. Then the Lego building which produced some very odd results and George’s very entertaining spot the spelling mistake, which went down very well with the kids (Nice one George). We ran out of time for the last game, which was to guess what was going to go wrong next on Paul’s Stephens car; I was a little disappointed as it was my suggestion. After the meal which was excellent, in fact George enjoyed it so much he had two, there came the highlight of the evening The Raffle. Many prizes donated by and procured by willing DOC members including some very sort after limited addition Mercedes-Benz T shirts were up for grabs.
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Finally, a wonderful party night drew to a close, with happy and contented DOC members making their way to their beds, and some very tired and confused waiting staff making their way to the Job Centre.
Down Your Way But, the fun wasn’t over yet. Oh no! For Neil and George had, over the previous weekends, been devising a treasure hunt to be staged on the Sunday for any willing members, not too hung over from the night before, to take part. The much coveted prize for the winner was a scale model Discovery mounted over a pit, I mean plinth. Several willing teams turned out on that wet and windy day to pit their wits, driving skills and endurance against the Northampton countryside, the elements and Neil’s slightly warped sense of clue writing, to try and win the day. However not all of the teams were Discovery owners. Duncan Brown turned out in his Defender and a couple of Essex babes, known as Shirl and Trace, turned up in a purple Vitara called DeeplyDippy, took up the challenge and lined up with the rest. The first team set off at about 10 am with directions, clues and enthusiasm; the rest following at 5 minute intervals. The planned route was approximately 50 miles long and with the clues to solve should take about two to two and a half hours to complete. So, with the last team away by eleven the organisers relaxed; but it was at this point they received there first shock of the day, they found out that the bar did not open until 12.00. But not to be outdone they went for breakfast; well it’s hard work organising these things. We had given each team a mobile number to call if they got lost or had trouble with the clues and after two hours the calls started to come in. The first calls that came in were to let us know that, despite a valiant effort, some teams had run out of time and had to call it a day and head home. But those that called for help with direction or clues suffered a five minute penalty (Oh by the way Neil, when giving directions on the phone, hand signals don’t help).
Without a doubt it was great fun to be part of the activities and it was good to see so many DOC members taking part and enjoying themselves; it’s what the club is all about. So I’m sure that we’ll all be up for doing it again this year (well once the memories fade and we have paid off the fines that is). I would like to round up by saying many thanks to all those that supported the event and to the Northants DOC boys who put it together.
Wessex
The Rain in Spain Wiltshire.. - Alan Smart It was a kind of Marti Pellow New Year’s Day – wet, wet, wet! We were set to take our annual drive of Salisbury Plains byways, as the Army would not be throwing lethal rounds across the countryside. In recent years MoD Plod has been much in evidence to deter 4x4 users not to stray from the byways but this year we only saw one MoD Plod and that was on the tarmac. Maybe it was too wet for them! Originally planned as a six-vehicle outing, we were down to four as we had one no-show and one called in sick. Our passengers (Land Rover wannabes) rang at nine that morning still suffering the after-effects of over doing it the night before.
Then came the second shock of the day, one team actually made it back to the pub. So the time taken was recorded, the total mileage checked and then the correctly answered clues counted. Then in amazed anticipation we waited and gradually more teams arrived back until all were accounted for. Then came the scoring and the prize giving (well that’s not true actually we got another round in first). Neil and I judged the winner on how close they came to the actual mileage, the time they took to complete the route, the number of correct clues and the number of times they called for help. After some deep and meaningful drinking we found that the top three were as follows: In third place with a high mileage but respectable time and the second highest correct number of clues was (third shock of the day coming up) the Essex girls, Shirl and Trace. The runners up with a slow time but good mileage and not a bad clue result was Duncan Brown, with Frank Bailey as co-driver. But in first place with an excellent mileage, best time of the day, good clue result and no help calls were Darren and Roz Burgess. So with many congratulations Neil awarded the trophy to Darren and together with the teams and the organisers, a bit of a party got going until the police were called and we all had to leave.
James Locke and his friend Chris turned out in the ‘Enamel Dog, a 300 Tdi, Nick Brooker in his new 2003 Td5, Bob and Kelly Dunlop in the S2 V8 manual and Memsahib and me in the OneTen. Traitors! I hear you say. The reasoning was the others were on road-biased tyres so if anyone got stuck, the One-Ten has the weight and more aggressive tyres to tow them out. We decided to start at the deserted village of Imber and work our way back. The Ministry of War requisitioned Imber during the Second World War but forgot to give it back! The church remains intact but many of the old buildings have gone and been replaced by concrete-block houses with just openings for the doors and windows. The Army practice house-to-house urban warfare here. The drive down to Imber was wet; very wet! After a slight detour caused by a navigational error (sorry, Memsahib) we passed through the normally closed barrier onto the Army concrete
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Down Your Way road. The water flowed off the adjacent fields onto the road so it was like driving up a riverbed! I was keeping a close eye on Bob who was following as we went through the water. I had my drowned V8 fixer in the back with the big towrope – a can of WD40. We decided not to get out as the rain was chucking it down but pressed on westwards for a few miles. All the side tracks were closed off with barriers and many new signs to keep you on the main road were to be seen. From Imber we returned to Gore Cross and started on the Plain. Over the years, the army has improved many of the byways and most are now cinder tracks. The first time I ever ventured onto the Plain in a Ninety it was mud, mud and more mud. Now we have to stick to the byways so we didn’t even get into low box. In many areas there are two parallel tracks; one for wheeled vehicles and one for those with tracks. The tracked ones had ruts about a foot deep so we didn’t attempt them… After sloshing along a few miles of pot-holed cinder tracks, we arrived at the Bustard Inn (yes, that is the correct spelling!) where we stopped for lunch. Nosebags were duly opened along with welcome hot flasks of drink. By now the rain had stopped and we chatted to the two other groups of off-roaders there including our local RRR group. From there we drove the along the eastern and northern edges of the plain returning south back to the Bustard. All pretty uneventful but by now the light was soon to fade so we headed home. For those who fancied a bit of mud but didn’t want to get hedge rash on their Discos, I took them down ‘our’ land (out of the gate, turn left, 75 yards and into low box) where the rising waters had created some mud. With the blackthorn scratching the One-Ten’s less than pristine paintwork, we slithered up the hill with the front wheels in one set of ruts and the rears in another. By now it was dark and after a hot drink (thanks, Memsahib) everybody headed off home in the pouring rain. Well, at least it washed off the mud!
Yorkshire
The White Rose - Andy Myers Well what an exciting year ahead we have in our region, no more long distance journeys down south for the annual summer shows. This year sees a new LRO Spring show in May along with the ARC National event being held in Doncaster. Together with the Harrogate 4x4 show, Piece Hall LR rally and of course Langley Farm there’s plenty of opportunity to get out those barbecues and enjoy meeting up with fellow members. We also have local DOC events lined up for the coming year, a trip to Langdale Quest in April (date to be confirmed) and a Dales Mystery Tour is being planned as well, possibly with camping involved, but we will keep you all informed. Our monthly pub meet is now on the up with regular members
Discourse 11 - page 22
coming along for a social drink. For members in the South Yorkshire area we are holding a social get together on April 27th., 12 noon at the Sir Jacks Public House, Bawtry Road, Bramley. If all goes well then who knows we could hold a regular pub meet there, so come along. For any details on any of the above events and pub meets, feel free to get in touch or drop me an email.
Greenlaning at Holmfirth - Andy Myers One o’clock and we all met up at Sean’s house ready for a day’s laning in the sunshine. After a chat over a cup of tea and when everyone finally found Sean’s house, Derek in particular who had come over from Hull and then just about gone everywhere else in Huddersfield, we jumped into our Discos, strapped the kids in and we were off.
Down Your Way After about a twenty minute drive we reached our starting point. On the way we passed a few Discos waving at them in convoy and hoping that maybe one would join us? A quick photo spot for everyone and then off we went, low box engaged. The usual banter came over the CBs and we headed off down the first lane. Nice and steady we went winding down the tracks and occasionally passing the odd walker smiling as we passed. Then came the first challenge WATER! A nice long track with several water dips along the way. Sean lead and went through first to get some pics of us all coming through, some nice and gentle, others wanting to make a splash; well it was too tempting not to!
A quick stop and a change of drivers for some, now leading the way was Sean’s wife Judith. As we came to a bridge over a reservoir, another chance to stop and take in the breath-taking views around us. Then up into the woods we went and it wasn’t long before diff lock came into use. Quite a steep climb with some rather good axle twisting and just to add a bit of spice some ICE. By this time Phil had persuaded his wife Judy to take up the challenge and one by one up we went. A few of us getting temporally stuck, but in the end all safely up. We carried on along the lane once again stopping to look down on Holmfirth below and letting the kids out for a run around. On to the next lane; this one more gentle than the last, narrowing as we got to the end. A call came over the CB from Derek at the rear saying that something had gone on his Disco but not too serious so we carried on. Back onto the main roads for a short while then another lane, this one we were held up by a herd of cows everyone keeping still thinking they were going to pass us but alas they turned off. We then had a brief stop in a pub car park to check the maps and stretch the legs. At this point I left the group to head off home but the rest carried on. A little glitch in the map reading meant that a previous lane was driven again but nobody complained. With hunger starting to set in, a welcome stop at Compo’s for fish and chips then just time for one final lane. As dusk settled in, time for home but not before finding a stray Disco; Phil was lost from the group but eventually found. A thoroughly enjoyable day had by all in a beautiful part of Yorkshire, many thanks to Sean for the lanes and Judith for the lunch and cups of tea. Derek for coming from Hull and all the other Yorkshire members, Phil, Judy and family and the two Johns.
Obituary - Diane Neale 1956 – 2003 Writing on Behalf of the Yorkshire Region of the DOC we as a group had not known Diane for a great length of time. In the time we had, we came to realise what a friendly happy person Diane really was. When we first got together as a group Diane was quiet and reserved, but it wasn’t long before the real Diane came out. She was a person who liked a laugh and with a bubbly personality she made every one who came into contact with her smile. Her husband John’s passion for off roading was not wasted on Diane as she was always by his side unless he left her behind in his haste to get to the next section then she was quick to grab a ride from someone else. Diane was great with Children and loved nothing more than to play with them and join in their games, a big kid at heart you could say. She lived life to the full and even though she suffered from Raynaud’s disease it never stopped her from joining in and enjoying life. Those who knew Diane will miss her as she touched every one of us in one form or another. By the time you read this we will have held a memorial fun day at Cawm Quarry near Whitworth, Rochdale where a plaque has been placed in her memory from the Discovery Owners Club. She will be remembered forever in the place where Diane and John loved to play as they had two days before her tragic death. As the plaque reads for us all to remember “always in our thoughts”
Diane on the Right with Judy Probst, Whitworth - 18th Jan 2003, two days before her death. Sean Pearce.
Sth Staffs / Nth Birmingham Lee Jones
The Midlands covers one of the largest areas in the UK as far as regional membership. But, with such a vast area comes the need for more than one meeting place. South Staffs and North Birmingham was talked about for quiet some time until the bull was grabbed by the horns and Chris
Page 23 - Discourse 11
Gorvin enquired at some of the old haunts he had used with various motoring clubs. Many had changed and no longer had the room to facilitate a number of people to hold a regular meeting. After some talks both Chris and myself mentioned the name of a venue that would be accessible to members from most of the Midlands, such as South Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Warwickshire and North Birmingham. The venue was the Moxhull Hall Hotel not too far from the world famous Belfry Golf Course. The hotel offered us a large room of our own, with a bar and cheap drinks; so what more could we ask for?
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Since our first meeting, attendance has been up and down but it’s encouraging to see new faces even when it’s a spare night they had and just popped in to see who’s who. With each new face came a new experience and soon will be the time to start talking events and day’s outings.
Alloy Wheels For Sale
It’s also a pleasant surprise when members from other regions pop in, either as a group or, as did Dave Green from Crowsborough, East Sussex, when passing through after a business trip. The Northants guys call on us regularly, and are always welcome as there is a close bond between the two groups.
1989 Discovery For Sale 3.5 litre V8. 7 seats, electric windows/mirrors, tow pack, new wrangler tyres all round, stainless steel exhaust, polybush suspension, 114,000 miles. Ideal for LPG conversion. I have owned this car for the last 10 years and it has not been used offroad. Offers around £3,000. Call Mike Hamilton 0116 241 5022 evenings and weekends, 0116 264 0700 weekdays.
Set of 4 new alloys complete with Michelin XPC 255/65 R16. To fit Discovery Series 2 (or 2nd generation Range Rover) £400. Phone Tony Hardman on 01827 87377, E-mail APHardman@aol.com
Snow Chains / Bike Rack For Sale Rud Snow Chains, unused. Fit range of tyres from 225/75-17.5 through to 265/70-16. Cost £110, will accept £55. Bike rack, 4 bikes, tow bar mounted for vehicles with rear mounted spare wheel. £60. Harlow area. Call Nick Foster on 01279 793676 or email nfoster@beeb.net
Reader’s Letters I want to do up and paint the rear axle, diff, etc. on my 1993 Disco 200 Tdi. I did this on my old Range Rovers by taking out the rear aluminium floor panel, which gives great access. Do any readers know if this is possible on 200 and/or 300 series Disco’s. Thanks very much, keep up the good work - from Mark Hooghiemstra.
Towards the end of last year, one of our members, Simon English, moved from Birmingham to Cannock, Staffordshire. Simon is blessed with living in a house where people go to drink; you guessed it, a pub. After a discussion between Simon, Lee Parkes and myself about the use of his abode, it was agreed that it would be a good Idea to hold alternative meetings so members further north in the region wouldn’t have so far to travel. The White Hart has recently been revamped and serves meals until 8.30pm for those hungry early-birds and also has a large car park.
Mark, The rear load floor in the Discovery and later Classic Range Rovers are steel, welded in place and do not come out like the early aluminium Range Rover floors. If you want to paint your axle in situ you can, with the vehicle securely chocked under the chassis, lower the rear axle. You’ll need to disconnect the rear brake pipe, the A frame mounting and the top shock absorber mounts to do this. If your rear floor is rusty (and they do rust) there was an article on how to replace them in Discourse 2 (back issues available on CD from the membership secretary). Ed. Hi, I took this picture on holiday in France last year:
The group now meets every 4th. Thursday of the month at Moxhull Hall Hotel and every 2nd Thursday at the White Hart. Contact details can be found on the Regional Meets page in this newsletter or by visiting www.northmidlands-doc.co.uk We’re hoping to meet some more members throughout the year and greet more new friends. No Disco owner should be without one, emergency spare wheel and tyre, folds flat when not in use, also doubles as swimming pool ring!- from Phil Probst.
Discourse 11 - page 24
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88" Series 3 21/4 Petrol Sports system (inc Manifold) 109" 21/4 Petrol systems from 2.6 Petrol 3.5 V8 21/4 Diesel systems from
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The Original, Stainless Steel performance, Single Large Bore system with Tubular Manifolds & Fitting Kit.
2.4 TD (86-89) £105.75 £285.00 2.5 TD (89-92) £94.00 £309.00 2.5 TD (89-92) Centre/Rear only £70.44 £240.00 200 Tdi (92-94) from £128.08 £279.00 200 Tdi (92-94) Centre/Rear only £85.19 £240.00 300 Tdi (94 on) Centre/Rear from £88.13 £240.00 300 TDi Catalyst (P) - £311.38 SPECIAL PRICES ON FULL SYSTEMS (with Catalysts)
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V8 4.0/4.6 (Cat’ back) (Single Exit) V8 4.0/4.6 (Cat’ back) (Twin Exit) V8 Sports Twin Outlet (Cat’ back) Inc. Large Bore Tailpipes V8 Catalysts (P) V8 Sports Catalysts (P) 2.5 TD (Cat’ back) (Single Exit) 2.5 TD (Cat’ back) (Twin Exit) 2.5 TD Sports Twin outlet
£245.58 £369.00 £411.25 £419.00 £223.25 £440.63 -
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2.5 TD Catalyst (Genuine) - £464.13 SPECIAL PRICES ON FULL SYSTEMS (with Catalysts) SERIES 2 RANGE ROVER TWIN EXIT LARGE BORE EXHAUST
£203.00 £209.00 £269.00 £200.00 £270.00 £309.00 £309.00
TD5 (Cat Back) 101" FC (Standard system) (Rhd & Lhd) FC (Sports system) (Rhd & Lhd) 110" 3.5 V8 Sports Systems (3.5 & 3.9)
£235.00 £311.38
£449.00
110" 21/4 or 21/2 Petrol £203.00 3.5 V8 £239.00 21/2 Diesel £203.00 £270.00 Turbo Diesel 200 TDi Defender £290.00 £290.00 300 TDi Defender (Non Cat’) 300 TDi Defender Rear section (Cat’ back) £259.00 300 TDi Defender Catalyst only £311.38 SPECIAL PRICES ON FULL SYSTEMS (with Catalysts)
£309.00 £330.00 £330.00 £330.00 £269.00 £311.38
TD5 (Cat Back) £319.00 V8 Sports System (Inc. Manifolds) £475.00
DISCOVERY
Single Large - Bore System with Tubular Manifolds & fitting kit.
MPi (2 Litre) Cen/Rear (Cat’ back) MPi Catalyst (P) only MPi Full System (inc Cat’)
£205.63 £219.00 - £376.00 £499.38 £569.00
NON-LAND ROVER 4x4
STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUSTS We stock a limited range of systems.
£146.88 £138.59
De Carbon £222.08 £222.08 -
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Bilstein £293.75 £293.75 £340.63
FULL ENGINES
CYLINDER HEADS
Cylinder heads (exch) standard (pair) performance (pair)
£528.75 £822.44
POLYURETHANE BUSH KITS Discovery & R/R Classic from £76.38 Series 2 Range Rover from £76.38
Gaz £245.58 £245.58 -
K&N FILTERS Ideal for LPG conversions!
‘BROOKLANDS’ TYPE BODY KIT We are pleased to announce the launch of this superb, 4-piece kit. Finisher strips & fittings are included. Kits available for 2 door, 4 door & LSE (including air-bag models).
Discovery & Classic R/R V8 Carb (pair)
£72.73
4-Barrel Pancake also available
EFi from £48.12 Diesel from £48.76 Series 2 Range Rover V8/Diesel (up to VIN XA) £49.94
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2 & 4 Door Models LSE Models
£750.00 £775.00
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£440.63
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SERIES 2 LAMP UPGRADE KIT (2000 MODEL YEAR) - RHD or LHD
Update your Series 2 to the later grey lens lamps - easy to fit! Full Kit £581.63 Kit less Fog Lights £464.13 Kit less Headlights & Fog Lights £193.88 Why not combine with a set of 18" Hurricane Alloys and later ‘Vogue’ chrome tailgate badge?
WHEELS & TYRES
We stock a large range of Alloy Wheels and Tyres for both Classic, Series 2 Range Rover & Discovery at superb package prices! 16" Classic - set of 4 OE Alloys Wheels only from £452.38 Wheels/Tyres (fitted) from £775.00 18" Series 2 - set of 4 OE Alloys Wheels only from £581.63 Wheels/Tyres (fitted) from £999.00 Wheel nuts (inc. locking nuts) & centres also available.
SHORT ENGINES
Standard ‘Long’ engine (new outright) 4.0 litre £3113.75 4.6 litre £3113.75 Standard full engine (exch) 3.5 litre £2173.75 3.9 litre £2696.63 4.6 litre £3636.63 Performance full engine (exch) 3.9 litre £3519.13 4.6 litre £4459.13 4.8 litre £5869.13 5.2 litre £7637.50
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The Original, Stainless Steel Performance Exhaust. Single Large-Bore system with Tubular Manifolds & Fitting Kit. Manifold fitting kit also available separately.
TD5 (Cat Back) 130" 2 1/2 Petrol ‘95 on 2.5 Diesel (Non Turbo) ‘95 on 300 TDi (Non Cat’) 300 TDi Rear Section (Cat Back) 300 TDi Catalyst only
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Standard Discovery £70.44 Classic R/R £82.19 Series 2 R/R £105.75
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200TDi (89-94) Centre/Rear from £79.25 £217.00 200 TDi (89-90) £88.13 £274.00 200 TDi (90-93) £88.13 £269.00 200 TDi (93-94) Manual £92.83 £269.00 200 TDi (93-94) Auto £146.88 £299.00 200 TDi Sports (89-94) Centre/Rear only - £169.00 300 TDi (94 on) Centre/Rear (Cat’ back) from £81.08 £217.00 300 TDi Sports (94 on) Centre/Rear - £169.00 300TDi (94 on) NonCatalyst £151.58 £299.00 300 TDi Catalyst (p) Full System £381.88 £510.00 300 TDi Catalyst (p)only - £311.38 TD5 Sports (98 on) Centre/Rear (Cat’ Back) - £339.00 V8 3.5 Carb (89-90) £145.00 £259.00 V8 3.5 EFi (90-91) £152.75 £335.00 V8 3.5 EFi (90-91) Centre/Rear only £88.13 £259.00 V8 3.5 EFi (91 on) Centre/Rear (Cat’ back) £111.63 £259.00 V8 3.9 (91 on) Cen/Rear (Cat’ Back) £111.63 £259.00 V8 3.5/3.9 Catalysts (p) (to 9/96) - £528.75 SPECIAL PRICES ON FULL SYSTEMS (with Catalysts) V8 Sports System (3.5 & 3.9) - £449.00
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We respectfully process an order request a minimum £5 order for less than this value. charge which inevitably amount. In addition, It is uneconomical for us to pushes we have better for you (and for us) if yourup the cost of small, low value a minimum postage better value for order can be a parts. It is therefore money. minimum of £5 P.S. Why not add which results in an oil filter to your far order! Where parts are sold on an exchange a deposit in effect, basis, an “Exchange which is refunded system allows Surcharge” is applied to you when you – can often prevent to make an exchange without your old unit is received by Surcharge is shown your vehicle being off the having to send the old unit us. This first ... it road. Before returning in italics below the part number. The amount of the Exchange your old unit, 01522 567432 please telephone in our customer for full details order to obtain a returns authorisation service of return procedure. code. See reverse dept on complete and serviceable; Units we reserve the must be drained of oil, waterof invoice the unit is irreparable right to retain all and be or damaged. or part of the surcharge if
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1.8 Fi (Cat’ back) Sports inc Twin LB T/Pipes£309.00 2.0 TD (Cat’ back) Sports inc Twin LB T/Pipes£309.00 V6 (Cat’ back) Sports inc Twin LB T/Pipes £329.00 £376.00 1.8 Fi Catalyst (P) only
90"
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The Original Stainless Steel Performance Exhaust. 90" 3.5 V8 Sports systems (3.5 & 3.9)£425.00 V8 SPORTS EXHAUST
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RANGE ROVER CLASSIC
V8 3.5 Single (70-76) £111.63 £235.00 V8 3.5 Twin pipe – Early (76-82) £117.50 £245.00 V8 3.5 Twin pipe – Late (82-86) £117.50 £245.00 V8 3.5 Carb (86-89) £117.50 £275.00 V8 3.5 Efi (86-89) £117.50 £275.00 V8 3.9 Efi (Non-Cat’) (89-92) £146.88 £369.00 V8 3.9 Efi Cen/Rear (91 on Cat’ back) £99.88 £269.00 V8 4.2 LSE Cen/Rear (92 on Cat’ back) £99.88 £269.00 V8 3.9 Catalysts (P) - £528.75 V8 4.2 Catalysts (P) - £538.15 SPECIAL PRICES ON FULL SYSTEMS (with Catalysts)
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Please refer to our catalogue for full or collect in person details of how to - it couldn’t be order by phone, easier! fax, post, e-mail The following range of weights table gives postage and handling Prices We show charges for a WE NORMALLY order to us then and delivery methods. If you two columns of countries) and prices, one excluding delivery charges.please telephone or fax so that are posting your one VAT (for worldwide, delivery should be including VAT (currently 17.5% we can confirm All added to the cost Quoted delivery prices subject to change. for UK and EC countries). outside EC Prices in this of the part(s). The cost of and bank holidays. times are for 'Working Days' change without Price Guide were correct at the See ‘Delivery Methods’. from Certain large or Please note that prior bulky items may despatch and exclude weekends subject to the price notice. Please confirm all time of going to press but are incur additional Please advise if the delivery driver may need subject to prices when ordering. packing charges. assistance to unload special delivery unless previously ruling at the time of invoicing. All goods are sold All arrangements are agreed in Euros. large/ heavy items Please note - up transactions are carried out in £ required. sterling to date prices available VAT Residents on our web site. For EC businessesof UK and EC countries pay VAT (currently 17.5%) (UK MAINLAND) to export at VAT who are VAT registered, we require on parts and delivery. POST - First Class PRICES + VAT exempt prices. your VAT number Post For worldwide and official order Up to 200g (outside the EC) CARRIER - Economy PRICES + VAT applicable. orders sent direct 210g-500g £1.20 (2-3 Day) from our premises, Up to 10kg N.B. Books and £1.25-£2.95 510g-750g VAT is not manuals are currently 11kg-20kg £8.50 £3.00-£4.40 zero rated for VAT 760g-1000g Written Quotation purposes. 21kg-30kg £9.50 £4.45-£5.85 1020g-1240g If you delivery charge(s) £10.50 31kg-100kg before ordering, require a written quotation £5.90-£7.10 1260g-1500g for the part(s) please ask. £13 - £25.50 100kg+ and/or £7.15-£9.25 Surcharge for Royal pro-rata Mail Special Delivery Carrier - Next Working £3.25. Day (Pre - Noon) In general, we CARRIER - Next Up to 30kg Working Day Rover Parts. When use Land Rover numbers £18.50 Up to 10kg 31kg+ to number is identifiedan alternative to the OE part identify original equipment 11kg-20kg £9.95 N/A (OE) Land is offered (Aftermarket) Carrier - Saturday with a ‘P’ Triumph parts Delivery £10.95 21kg-30kg then the where we list thesuffix. There is also similarity Up to 30kg denote a Rimmer with certain Rover part Rover/Triumph £11.95 31kg-100kg part Bros and number. £21.00 derived 31kg+ suffix denotes £14.50 - £30.00 ‘reconditioned’. part, where no original part RA, RD and RX prefixes 100kg+ N/A number exists. pro-rata An ‘R’ TAXI SERVICE The above prices - Same Day On application Scottish Highlands refer to nearly all UK mainland Back-ordered destinations. Islands may apply and Islands, Northern Ireland, price quoted at items are not charged for until despatch. Isle of Man, Isle Special rates for the and delivery times the Upon despatch we of Wight and Channel alterations unless time of ordering. Prices will may be extended. will charge the be unaffected by advised in writing if you wish to cancel any to any back ordered you. Please notify us in writing subsequent price (letter, fax or e-mail) items. Worldwide
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EXHAUSTS
PR IC E GU ID E
EDITION 2.2
UPDATEDFEB2002
Short engine (exch) 3.5 litre 3.9 litre 4.6 litre(outright) 4.8 litre 5.2 litre
£1169.13 from £1639.13 from £1756.63 £4106.63 £4993.75
HEAD COMPONENTS
Inlet valve Exhaust valve Valve guide Valve springs Rocker build kit Rocker arm Rocker covers (pair) (Powder coated)
from £4.17 from £5.58 from £2.06 from £0.61 £82.19 from £5.82 from £81.08
GASKETS & OIL SEALS
Head gasket set 3.5 litre 3.9/4.2 litre 4.0/4.6 litre 5.2 litre Sump gasket set up to 1991 1992 on Oil seal - front rear
from £24.62 from £23.50 £70.44 £107.51 £15.22 £18.21 from £3.47 from £5.82
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ENGINE COMPONENTS
Rebuild kit (comprehensive) 3.5 litre £699.13 3.9 litre £816.63 Crankshafts from £217.38 Main bearing set from £22.44 Big end bearing set from £22.44 3.5 piston set from £146.88 3.9 piston set from £205.63 3.9 piston/liner set £117.50 4.3 stroker kit £1556.88 4.8 stroker kit £1556.88 Conrod from £23.50 Remote oil filter kit £96.54 Uprated oil r/valve spring £2.94 Oil pump priming tool £15.94 Oil cooler kit from £111.63 Oil pressure gauge kit £56.34 Facet fuel pump (carb) £86.95
CAMSHAFT
Camshafts from £58.75 Cam followers from £3.47 Cam kits standard from £105.69 Performance from £381.88 Timing chains - standard £15.22 Vernier timing chain kits £129.25 Cam sprocket from £11.69 Crank sprocket £8.81
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Page 25 - Discourse 11
Events
What’s On - Tim Arnold We now have a new team member on board. Chris Gorvin has bravely agreed to manage things on the Camping and Caravanning side with a site arranged for Easter. No activities are planned; just ‘Chilling Out’. If you’re interested, contact Chris now as space is limited. At this years LRE Billing Show we have arranged our own camping. This will enable us all to be together. The cost is £12.50 per night and includes show admission, lavatories and showers. To join us, contact Garry Tredwell. Stefan Tapp is a man with a mission. He has plans for a themed display at Beaulieu and needs help with materials. If you can help contact Stefan direct. Paul is not a happy bunny. The Spring Treasure Hunt has been cancelled due to lack of interest; you can’t expect people to continue planning events if you don’t support them. We’re now committed to run the Scenic drive at the ARC and we need all the help we can get; please contact Alan Smart or Sean Pearce for more information. We’re also building links with other clubs: AMOR (all marques off road) have invited us to join them on the 25th of May at Stainby Lincs. It’s non-damaging off roading so phone 0116 259 5686 for full details and to book (essential). For later in the year (August) we may hire the Woodlands Off Road Site in Kent. To make this viable we need at least 15 vehicles. If you’d be interested, please let me know ASAP.
Land Rover Marque Day & Heritage Run, Sun 4th May This year’s annual run from the factory at Lode lane, Solihull to the Heritage Centre at Gaydon (just off Junction 12 of the M40) will celebrate Land Rover’s 55th birthday. This year the club will have a stand on the grassed area in front of the museum with the club shop and a display of up to twenty vehicles. Organiser for this event, Garry Tredwell, wants to show off our vehicles at their best so if you can lend your Discovery for the day, please contact Garry. The museum is open from 10am Saturday and entry to the museum is free to anyone arriving in a Land Rover with a reduced admission charge of £7 for adult passengers (£5 for children). There is camping for the weekend at £10 per unit per night and the Garry hopes to have a barbecue and general get together on the Saturday night. Vehicles for the convoy run will need to be at Solihull by 08:30 Sunday morning with the cavalcade of 150 land Rovers getting to Gaydon about 11o’clock. All the Land Rover clubs are likely to have stands and there will be many trade stands and auto jumblers as well as the usual Museum attractions and shop.
Discourse 11 - page 26
If you want to be on the Heritage Run, contact Geof Miller before 20th April on 01789 731669. DOC contact is Garry Tredwell 01235 520240 (he’s the short, fat bloke with the silver V8I ES).
ARC National, Doncaster, Fri 23rd to Tue 27th May This year’s ARC National is being held at Loversall, near Doncaster. It will follow the usual three day format – two days of trials and a day of high-speed competition safari. All the major Land Rover clubs will be there including DOC. This year we are running the scenic drive. This is where you can take your Land Rover round an off-road course for a small fee (last year it was a fiver). The course is designed to be nondamaging and will use part of the safari course so will only operate on the Saturday and Sunday. We will also have a club stand where we can recruit even more members! There’s camping over the period (£30 for the whole event), club and trade stands, beer tent and other attractions. Saturday and Sunday evenings there’s usually an inter-team winching and recovery event. DOC will have its own camping area so hopefully someone will arrange a BBQ (hint!). Details can be found at www.arc2003.co.uk or by calling me, Alan Smart on 01264 772851. If you want to help either over the weekend or can spare some time set help set out the course, please call me. I also have booking forms.
Abingdon 4x4 Festival, 27th – 28th September The club is in its third year of running this event in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Abingdon. As well as the off-road course there’s caravanning and camping with all the socialising that goes on, trade stands and the DOC stand. Organiser Garry Treadwell (01235 520240) promises that this year’s event will be even bigger and better than last year’s. For more details speak to Garry especially if you can help before the event or during the weekend. We’ll have more details in the next edition of Discourse.
2003 Calendar and Contacts 5 April - Spring Treasure Hunt - CANCELLED Contact Paul Walker - 01527 404103 12 April - Langdale Quest Contact Andy Myers - 01943 878220 18-21 April - Caravan/Camping at Brokenhurst Hants Contact Chris Gorvin - 07774 963577 4 May - Land Rover Heritage Run - Gaydon Contact Garry Tredwell - 01235 520240 or Tim Arnold - 01323 489003 18 May - Exmoor Lanes Contact Paul Walker - 01527 404103
Events 18 May - Piece Hall Land Rover Gathering in Halifax Contact Mark Strangways - 01422 839872 24-26 May - ARC National (Yorkshire) Contact Alan Smart - 01264 772851 21-22 June - Land Rover World Show Contact Neil Brownlee - 07768 366157 18-20 July - Land Rover Enthusiasts Show, Billing Contact Mike Duncalf - 01524 732128 12-13 July - Beaulieu 4x4 Show Contact Stefan Tapp - 02380 396591 22-25 July - August Caravan/Camping W/E Contact Kim Hollins - 0161 480 7096, 07831 541245 25 July - Wroughton Nostalgia Show Contact Garry Tredwell - 01235 520240 23 August - Cotswold Lanes Contact Paul Walker - 01527 404103 6-7 September - Land Rover Owner Show Contact Chris Gorvin - 07774 963577 6-7 September - Langley Farm Contact Chris Mullen - 01274 634166 6-7 September - Major’s Memorial Trial at Eastnor Contact Alan Smart - 01264 772851 21 September London to Brighton LR Run (provisional) Contact Tim Arnold - 01323 489003 27-28 September - ABINGDON 4x4 Festival Contact Garry Tredwell - 01235 520240 4 October - UK Rhino Charge at Pippingford Pk Sussex Contact Tim Arnold - 01323 489003 Date TBA - National 4x4 Show (Trentham) Contact Lee Parkes and Lee Jones - 0121 328 0065
Regional Meets Central Southern Location: When: Time: Contact:
East Sussex Location: When: Time: Contact:
The Packhorse, Milton Hill, nr Abingdon, Oxford. Third Wednesday of each month 7:30 pm onwards Garry Tredwell. Tel: 01235 520240, 07802 495658 The Horseshoe Inn, Windmill Hill, nr. Hailsham. Second Sunday of each month 12:30 pm onwards Tim Arnold. Tel: 01323 489003
Home Counties North Location: When: Time: Contact:
George IV PH, London Road, Baldock, Herts. Third Tuesday of each month 8:00 pm onwards Kevin Beel. Tel: 01462 893886
Kent
Location: When: Time: Contact:
Black Lion, Southfleet. First Wednesday of each month. 7:30 pm onwards Don Hoaglin. Tel: 01474 707531
Northampton Location: When: Time: Contact:
Billing Quays, Northampton, (nr Aquadrome). First Thursday of each month. 7:30 pm onwards George Glover. Tel: 01604 582252, 07721 559456
North West / Manchester Location: When: Time: Contact:
The Railway PH, 1 Avenue Street, Portwood, Stockport. Second Wednesday of each month 8:00 pm onwards Kim Hollings. Tel: 0161 480 7096, 07831 541245
North Worcs / South Midlands
Location: The Gate Hangs Well PH, Evesham Road, Headless Cross, Redditch, Worcs. When: Second Tuesday of each month Time: 8:00 pm onwards Contact: Paul Walker. Tel: 01527 404103, 07939 411995
South Staffs / North Birmingham
Location: Moxull Hall Hotel, Holly Lane, Wishaw, nr Sutton Coldfield, B76 9PD. When: Last Thursday of each month Time: 7:30 pm onwards Location: When: Time: Contact:
Wales
Location: When: Time: Contact:
Wessex
Location: When: Time: Contact:
The White Hart PH, Wolverhampton Rd, Cannock Second Thursday of each month 7:30 pm onwards Lee Jones. Tel: 0121 603 3632 The Swan PH, Hay on Wye. First Sunday of each month 1:00 pm onwards Gerard Brooks. Tel: 02920 757459, 07977 545790 The Rack & Manger, Crawley, Hampshire. Second Wednesday of each month 7:30 pm onwards Alan Smart. Tel: 01264 772851
West of England
Location: The Wheatsheaf PH, High Street, Winterbourne, South Gloucestershire. When: Last Friday of each month Time: 8:00 pm onwards Contact: Post Vacant. Tel: Neil Brownlee.
Yorkshire
Location: When: Time: Contact:
The Stansfield Arms, Apperley Bridge, Bradford. Last Friday of each month. 8:00 pm onwards Sean Pearce. Tel: 01484 644764, 07703534453
If you would like to form yor own Local Section of the Discovery Owners Club in any area not covered in those listed above, contact Neil Brownlee or any of the Local Section Representitives on the Committee who will be pleased to advise and assist you.
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Page 27 - Discourse 11
Andy Drummond’s 4.2 litre V8 Discoveryin action in the 1996 Southern Hill Rally.
Published by Focus TC - 01628 662566 Discourse 11 - page 28
Printed by Hawksworth Graphics - 01889 565234