Zuffen

First thing I would do is steam clean/degrease the gearbox and then look for the leak.

Not much hope of finding an oil leak on an oily surface.

I too would go with a rocker cover leak as the box is well covered from top down.

God to see the engine has stopped smoking.

Remarkable after 30 odd years of standing.

I spent 3 months in bed last year after being crushed between two vehicles.

It was my fault and I was lucky to escape with 3 fractures in my Pelvis and a broken Tailbone.

The Doctors said straight up I should be dead!

We all work on heavy lumps of metal that can kill us in the blink of an eye and we all need to look at the potential consequences of any action we take under/over and around our toys.

Familiarity breads contempt and that is the quick way to get hurt or worse.

It could be another 6 months before I'm fully recovered and can go back to playing with my toys without being in pain.

I would suggest hcvc.com.au

Quite an active Historic Commercial Vehicle Forum.

A Tracker wouldn't have stopped the vehicle being stolen but the brake pedal chained to the floor (or similar immobilising devices) most likely would have.

Trackers are best fitted to complex (electrically) vehicles, as in something like a Jeep they are a doddle to bypass.

The local Plods aren't interested in chasing the vehicle so unless you can track it and have big enough friends to front the thieves, what will you achieve?

As a retired (in 2007) insurance underwriter specialising in Collectible Vehicles they are worthless in my opinion.

We lost 5 or 6 for every one saved.

Better to think hard before you park it and instal some simple but hidden methods to stop the lags.

I know the older a vehicle is the easier it is to steal but simple stuff like a chain from the brake pedal to a welded loop on the floor with a quality padlock have saved more vehicles than sat tracking.

We have a small fleet of very desirable vehicles (all non-mil) and none have sophisticated security.

If you want suggestions PM me.

For gaskets try these guys.

I've used them in the past and they're very good.

Located in Hornsby in Sydney's north.

http://www.swansonsgaskets.com.au/setup.htm

I seriously doubt that particular vehicle ever flew.

If it did it had an extremely soft landing.

A bit like buying an F1 car that is the same as one Fangio drove but never did.

Tim,

I could most likely line up storage (outside) in Tweed Heads if that's of any use.

I wonder if a neoprene seal will still be doing its job in 80 years?

The felt seal has lasted a lot longer than a modern seal would, but not seal as well.

Me, I'd fit the modern seal as well, but be careful about knocking the felt seal's longevity.

I had a LWB Series 2A many moons ago with a Holden 186 in it.

I managed to break a rear axle and the layshaft in the gearbox on a trip to Fraser Island.

I don't believe the Landy driveline is up to the torque of any Holden 6.

Bigger tyres will make it even more fragile.

For non-Aussies a Holden 179 is a straight 6 about 30 litre capacity and is a smaller version of the old Chev Stovebolt engine.

Oh, I should add it will be flat out at 100kmh, if you can stand the noise of the engine screaming its head off.

We run an electric vacuum pump on our Lancia 037. The supercharger discharges into the throttle body so it's like a diesel, no vacuum to use.

It runs with the ignition on and has a Hobbs switch so it only runs when needed.

We have a small reservoir so a few quick brake applications won't run it out of vacuum.

It's reliable, effective and quiet. We couldn't fit an alternator in with a vacuum pump as there just isn't enough room.

I think you will find the head and/or block (if not both) have passed their use by date.

I feel they've failed before and the only solution is open your wallet (I know I hate doing that too!) and fix it right the first time.

I'd like to see a straight edge and feeler gauge on the block between 3 & 4 cylinders.

It looks a bit rough in there and I can only see decking the block or replacing the block as the correct repair method.

Spelching http://www.trend-uk.com/en/ZA/trend/content/content_handler.php?record_type=Glossary&id=19630

I had to Google it also.

Another newbie here from the Downunder.

I don't own a MV but have a strong interest in Land Rovers (I own a Range Rover DAKAR) and once owned a Series IIa I fitted a Dormobile roof on to.

I build cars for a hobby and in the past have restored a few Porsche 911's.

I'm 62 and a retired Motor Insurance Agent who dealt with LLoyd's for 20 years.

I have a particular interest in the restoration blogs put up here by some of your incredibly skilled members.

I'll just sit back, read and enjoy.