Just to fill in the time until MOT, here's a another update.

Last Sunday (24th) I was forced to fit a locking mechanism to my fuel cap, as I think someone has drained my tank. At least the gauge doesn't move and the Landy was slow to start, normally a sign the fuel is low. There should be a gallon in the tank, less a little for usage, and since diesel doesn't evaporate, and it hasn't leaked out, it's either been drained or the fuel gauge has broken. I suspect the former as the lead wheel weights were stolen from the Landy recently, so stretching to fuel theft to is not a big leap. However I can't discount the gauge being broken or disconnected as the dash has been out a fair bit, and the connections could have been disturbed. I plan to add another gallon (since that's what my fuel can holds) and see if the needle moves. If so then all is fine, if not, it's time to get my screwdrivers out! :) The fuel cap lock is low tech indeed, it's simply a metal plate on a hinge that is bolted to the body and folds down over the cap. A padlock is then put through the hole in the "ears" on the top of the cap stopping it being opened. I realise I probably should have just taken a photo, since it's easier to explain that way, oh well. Fitting the lock was quite straight-forward, but did require the removal of a covering in the back of the truck bed. This allowed access to the nuts that hold the locking plate onto the body, but took about 45 mins to do, so much for a 5 minute job!

Weather permitting I may try to fit the rear light guards this weekend, as it gets them out of my shed and is another job done. I'm holding off fitting the new electrics until after MOT to reduce the things that the garage could find wrong.

Yesterday I took the first step towards entering the ScallyRally in 2007 by buying a car. The requirement is that the car must cost less than £100, although you can spend some extra getting it roadworthy. I don't want to go into details on this blog, so I'll intend to start another one for that, I'll post up some car details, and information about the ScallyRally once I've done that.

Not too much to report since last time, so just a brief list.

The rear of the Land Rover was washed out on Sunday (17th), and all the remaining items stored in there, were removed so things are tidy before the MOT.

The drivers door window lock was fixed last night with the help of a flat bladed screw driver and a power drill. The last owners had replaced the channel that the window slides in, but not made a hole for the lock mechanism to come through to stop the glass from moving.

Tonight I intend to put a new pedal rubber on the clutch assuming the weather is reasonable.

Things have gone quickly and we are now only a few days away from MOT! Well to be honest this might turn into a few weeks as I'm trying to find someone who can follow me down to the test centre just in case something happens, and then to bring me back. Most of the people who would usually be there to help are unfortunately busy for the next couple of weeks, so unless I can find an alternative I have to wait. The new V5 arrived yesterday with the correct engine number listed, and today I sorted out my insurance, which thankfully was very reasonable. I went via the brokers at Sureterm, who were very helpful and efficient..thank you Lindsay! :)

Last Friday (8th) I took the day off and my Uncle returned for the last of the outstanding pre MOT work. We fitted the new brake cylinder to the in place of the one that had failed when we had previously replaced the oil seal. We also replaced the missing rivets on the rear tub, some of which may need redoing as we didn't have the right sort of rivets. He kindly plated up the front wing too as a temporary repair using a small piece of aluminium, which should keep the MOT boys happy until we can fit some better wings. Lastly we fitted the new water valve to the heater system, which means it can now be turned off for the summer! :) Unfortunately there was a small piece missing so we couldn't connect this up to the dash panel controls.

On the following Sunday (10th) I spent a little while cable-tying up wires and pipes around the vehicle as well as removing most of the tools and unfitted parts from the rear. Just small jobs but ones that all have to be done before the vehicle goes to the garage, as I don't want it to like an uncared for shed. The paint work makes the vehicle look bad enough, and I don't want the garage fishing for extra work, which they may well do if they spot possible opportunities. Whislt clearing out, I also noticed my gear lever was not like the one I'd seen in a recent Land Rover publication, mine cants rearward, when it should lean to the right. Investigation showed the reason for this was my gear lever has broken at some point in the distant past and had been welded back on, sadly in the wrong direction. Since the gearbox is to be rebuilt, I'll get a new one put it at the same time, as it will mean the job is done properly.

Monday's (11th) job was to go down to RJ's and get the missing part for the heater valve, which I did, and while I was there, got a decent second hand lever, things are falling into place! Still no sign of the 15" Mountney wheel I've ordered though, maybe next time.

Just a quick update to cover a few things that have gone on in the last few days.

Saturday (2nd) - I got an excellent quote from A1 Gearboxes of St Neots for a full rebuild of the gearbox. Only £50 more than the quote for just the necessary repair, for a full rebuild, so well worth it.

Monday (4th) - A Trip to RJ Landrovers was rather expensive, as I bought an overdrive unit. This should give me a top speed of about 70mph and a better fuel economy, and I hope will in part pay for itself with reduces fuel bills. Lower running costs are essential if Hero is going to do the trip to Le Mans next year and a planned trip around Iceland at some point. I also managed to get the radio I got from the scrapyard Landrover to power-up in my test harness, and I have even manged to get the security code entered, so it looks promising. the LCD was not great, some parts of the second digit not working, but since the radio cost only a few pounds I don't mind.

Tuesday (5th) I've collected the overdrive, it'll be fitted whilst the gearbox is being overhauled to save time.