S1 E-type gearbox rebuild

[427James]

Hello all. I need the gearbox rebuilt on a 1965 E-type and possibly the shells replaced (fairly low oil pressure but bores look good - replaced the pump, sender unit etc).

The car is in Cambridgeshire so anyone close-ish to there would be a bonus, but I really want someone who knows e-types well to do it.

Any recommendations? I would normally PM Lowdrag but he's in the wrong country for this.

Also, any ideas on cost (if anyone has had this done)?

[klunkT5]

I think you mean engine? VSE are supposed to be good for classic XK rebuilds:

http://www.vse-engines.com/

[427James]

Hi Klunk - I mean both. Gearbox and also the shells for the crank. The guys you mentioned are in Wales, which is quite a long way! Anyone got any recommendations following personal experience?

[lowdrag]

Cambridge I know not, but I know Leicester and Suffolk specialists. Paul Roach runs a Classic Jaguar specialist garage in Sudbury, so you might give him a try. He built himself a wonderful Hawthorn Mk 1 replica. I visited and wrote an article about his garage a few years back. Nice chap too.

http://www.yell.com/biz/paul-roach-classics-ltd-su...

[1954etype]

Can't help with the work (busy until December) feel free to pm for contact details for advice (we are in Hertfordshire).

[427James]

Thanks guys. Angus - I pm'd you and thank you. I will also try Paul Roach.

[lowdrag]

Sorry Angus - brain fade. Forgot about you too. Hope all is well.

[1954etype]

lowdrag said:

Sorry Angus - brain fade. Forgot about you too. Hope all is well.

No problem Tony. All good, very busy. Hope you are still enjoying the car!

[a8hex]

lowdrag said:

Cambridge I know not, but I know Leicester and Suffolk specialists. Paul Roach runs a Classic Jaguar specialist garage in Sudbury, so you might give him a try. He built himself a wonderful Hawthorn Mk 1 replica. I visited and wrote an article about his garage a few years back. Nice chap too.

http://www.yell.com/biz/paul-roach-classics-ltd-su...

Paul used to be very active here, I'd wondered about him the other day.
Very friendly. He did some open days for PHer a couple of years back.

[427James]

Thanks all - I am in touch with Angus in the hope that its not too much and he can squeeze it in.

[lowdrag]

In precautionary defence of the well-chosen person, I hope that you are prepared that it might be more expensive than you have originally thought. I know that the price of any synchro box has risen sharply over the years, no one - except me it seems - now wanting a synchroless Moss box, so maybe the price of spares has risen too, plus once one starts to take an engine apart all kind of nasties can fall out - literally. Is the car by any chance called Pandora?

My total engine build from VSE by the way came to around £6,000 (up from £4,300 standard cost) but once again, while the engine seemed to be running OK when it was taken out, inside we needed a new head, rebore, stitching, liners - you name it, it had to have it. I believe the old head is currently acting as a boat anchor. Have a look at my E-type rebuild thread of a year back. You'll see what I mean:-

http://www.pistonheads.com/Gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Remember the old Jaguar motto; sic transit bank accountum.

[a8hex]

lowdrag said:

Remember the old Jaguar motto; sic transit bank accountum.

The other thing I've learned is that every time you try and save money on something it will cost you more

[Huntsman]

Low oil pressure on a XK often attributed to o rings on the pipe from pump to gallery, worth investigation while in there poking about.

[427James]

Thanks guys - with regard to cost, this isn't the first car I've had recommissioned and I know how it feels to be looking down the back of sofa for spare change after the latest unforseen bill!

The oil pressure is a bit of a mystery as the bores and the shells looked fine when I had the engine out of the car in Dubai - thick classic car oil has given vaguely respectable oil pressure, but it is nothing like the pressure I enjoy with my other Jag.

[lowdrag]

Tried a wet gauge? Might just be the sender - as usual.

[427James]

lowdrag said:

Tried a wet gauge? Might just be the sender - as usual.

Yep - changed it and tried a wet gauge which shows the same. I am getting about 30psi at 2000rpm so its OK, but not ideal! Other Jag is 50-60 at 2500rpm (cold/warm).
Ho hum. Not dangerous but intrigued to know why when it all looks pretty good.

[Huntsman]

Huntsman said:

Low oil pressure on a XK often attributed to o rings on the pipe from pump to gallery, worth investigation while in there poking about.

Ahem!

[427James]

Thanks Huntsman - will also have a poke about and have a look at that!

[tozerman]

You could always try Denis Welch Motorsport in Staffordshire (not too far) they have a very very good reputation with E type engines and gearboxes.

Cheers.....Tony..