LJ80 A.K.A Suzie rebuild from Malta.

[canniria]

Hi to you all,
My name is Malcolm and I am from Malta. I bought my first LJ80 last June for 900euros, and am in the process of tearing it asunder. For it has been said that from the ashes of the old, a new LJ shall rise!

...This is it's story.

I bought the LJ from the neighbouring island of Gozo.

IMAG0015.jpg (821.18 KiB) Viewed 4982 times

Since the car's plates were garaged, and since I wasn't sure if it was in good working order, I decided to have it towed. 90euros for towing plus 34euros ferry ticket.

IMAG0017.jpg (1018.13 KiB) Viewed 4982 times

This is George the tow guy, he's a rough sort and keeps to himself a lot. It took me 4 hours to crack a smile on his face. Under that surly exterior he is great guy. George enjoys fishing on his spare time.

IMAG0016.jpg (796.19 KiB) Viewed 4982 times

Here are some pics of the journey.

IMAG0018.jpg (849.5 KiB) Viewed 4982 times

IMAG0010.jpg (1004.75 KiB) Viewed 4982 times

Day 1: removed steering column + steering wheel, roll cage, doors, soft top and frames, dash board gauges, and started removing electrical harness. 7.5hrs of work.

IMAG0028.jpg (835.33 KiB) Viewed 4982 times

After doing some research online, I noticed that this wasn't the original 797cc engine LJ80s came out with. Instead some one installed a 970cc Suzuki F10a, possibly transplanted from an SJ410 or a Maruti Gypsy of which there are thousands left on the island still in working order.

IMAG0029.jpg (794.16 KiB) Viewed 4982 times

If you look closely you can see that the air vent just behind the hood has been welded shut by the previous owner, probably due to water and cold air leaking through it.

IMAG0065.jpg (901.74 KiB) Viewed 4982 times

IMAG0030.jpg (834.02 KiB) Viewed 4982 times

IMAG0031.jpg (819.18 KiB) Viewed 4982 times

Not the original roll cage.

IMAG0032.jpg (806.03 KiB) Viewed 4982 times

IMAG0033.jpg (823.11 KiB) Viewed 4982 times

Found leak in the radiator in the bottom left hand side coner.

IMAG0060.jpg (889.61 KiB) Viewed 4982 times

So far found : leak in radiator, air vent blocked, huge dead spot in steering wheel, non-original roll cage, missing heater and blower :( , some of the electrics don't work,non-original engine, sparking plugs # 1,3,4 found sooty, #2 found completely foul (oil leak in combustion chamber suspected) will do compression check to determine state of combustion chamber.

Hope you enjoyed this presentation.

More pics to follow

P.S any help/suggestions/tips you would like to give me please feel free to do so, I would really appreciate your input Thanks.

[ScottieJ]

Dose look like a real good start for a restoration. I have spare main hoops of an original roll cage, shipping to malta might be a bit expensive though.

[dan_2k_uk]

If only we could buy them like that for €900

[turbo-tom]

nice keep up the work!