Yes yes i know this old Bus isn't an L322 or L405

However she is still very much full and very Fat

Because i talk mostly in the past tense this thread requires a backstory..
So....

This all started in July 2017 just after passing my test, the idea at the time was to buy myself a cheap easy to run Renna or pugrot, however as you do at 17 i started window shopping ebay and the trader looking for big exec limos or old 4x4's.

The day finally came when i had to buy a car, at that time i was still being ferried around and everyone was getting tired of taking me places, so i went and viewed three potential cars..

The first being an old XJ40 which i passed on as it was too rotten in all the wrong places, twas a tad disappointed as they're one of my favourite old Jags..

Second was a 2002 3.0 L322 in Blenheim silver, i did want this in all honesty however it had the usual rot in the rear arches and the seating position for someone of my frame was limited 6ft6..

Lastly was a 2001 P38 Vogue, this car did talk to me so to speak it looked alright in the sunlight, interior was rather dirty however complete and the rover V8 purred like a kitten!

So a deal was done...

Se was driven home from Worcestershire to Hereford, the Petrol and LPG tanks were both empty, so £180 was thrown at the pumps to brim both tanks.

The drive home was uneventful the P38 on air is really quite disarming to drive, a haven of peace in a troubled world, the Connolly seats hugging you every step of the way

Pictures from when i got home on my first day

Looking very nice. Great colour combination!

Good choice and what an utterly fantastic 1st car.

Lush... My third favourite JLR colour being Bali Blue & Tintern Green...

Many thanks Gents, the colour was the deciding factor TBH

July 2017 - March 2018



This was the Golden Year for the old Lumber Bus, the best thing about it was she was unstoppable in mud and snow which was a godsend in the winter of late 17 and early 18.



I bought her for this purpose to have some fun, and between buying her in July 2017 I didn't do anything with her until around december, when the tappets started clattering real bad and the oil leaks were getting out of control 🤯



First off was the rocker cover gaskets,

Rover in their infinite wisdom fit what seem to be anti theft bolts to the rocker covers which are a complete ballache, as you need bi hex 1/4 sockets to get them off.

The new gaskets were much better, as expected than the ones previous, the old ones had turned into Bakelite, i chipped off the old gasket!!



A film of lithium grease on the rubber stops it slipping around.



She isn't the cleanest old thing inside, but it is better than most..


The engine was thrown back together, and it was a great improvement.

The second issue with this Rangie is my lack of time and care "at the time" and the first sign of my lack of underbonnet checks was the tappets started to clatter like mad, and the oil pressure light was flickering at idle

The dipstick was pulled and i was greeted with this!!



With my Poirot hat on i can see the issue!!

A top up with a full mineral 20w50 helped some what..



Note that i didn't service it!!

Ahh how i regretted my actions!!


Next Issue was a "booom tuff tuff" noise which not only made the macdonalds drive through lady jump out of her skin but it also caused a chain reaction of pain!!

first off the front accessory drive, manifolds and various other bits had to come off, so it went from this....



To this!



A small tinge of regret was looming in my stomach at this point LOL

The issue at this point was blown headgaskets




The cylinder heads were in pucker condition but it pays to be thorough in some cases soooo

The valves were removed and cleaned up, they were also reground to the seat, because three of the chambers weren't petrol tight..




To finish this job off some cosmetic bits were attended too!

You spot the difference LOL

Manifold was painted silver VHT paint and some red conduit for some decoration!

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TBH i was tempted to pull the cam and lifters, but this engine doesn't really need it yet!

And tbh the cam was in ok condition.

She ran much smoother after the change, I think she has had a blow since i bought her, as the rough idle and what i thought was an exhhaust blow has gone!

Cracking job.

Like that motor.

 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

Cheers!

Looking good

Glad to see you do not give up i still like the p38

A future classic  Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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MR GLOVER wrote:

Glad to see you do not give up i still like the p38

cheers gents!

November 2017 came and 2k miles were covered since July her MOT was due, with some trepidation i entered her in...
Defying all odds, she passed with only a few advisories, all to do with missing dust shields..

The Next thing on my mind was the bodywork, already in good nick but dirty, she needed a good detail





Bodywork was cleaned up with Autoglym Shampoo and a coat of Collinite 476





Much smarter..

However the real improvements come later on!!

The Snow of 2018 came and went.

The Old P38 did me proud during the horrific weather, ferrying people in and out of the village as it was the only vehicle capable of doing so!

During these escapades I noticed there were little gremlins breeding in the old girl.

#1 The rear window would open and close on its own
#2 The engine "disabled" message was also showing up!
#3 The radio also cut out!

Here she is before all hell broke Loose!!






The P38 in snow is a monster!!

This however was the time she fell apart!!

February 2018 IIRc..

More to come!

Being a now "skint" apprentice, i did manage to save up, inbetween fuel fill ups to add some bling to the interior
My Mates think i'm mental for liking wood in a car, however the P38 is a big cruiser and suits the cream leather and walnut!

The HVAC unit was the first to be customised

stock it is a pretty bland affair, grey plastic sticks out a mile among polished walnut surroundings



This was found on the bay of E



The unit was wiped down with an Alcohol wipe, and the new walnut surrounding added..




Much smarter IMO!

After this I found these!!



LOL