A V12 sized gamble
Discussion
Sammitch said:
I remember reading your (very interesting) posts on the Honda C90 forum, you drove a Sinclair C5 to school if I remember correctly 
Thank you, the Honda was finally finished in August of this year. Even if I do say so myself, it looks rather good now. That is correct, it's not perfect but it gets me from A to B.
kamilb1998 said:
Thank you, the Honda was finally finished in August of this year. Even if I do say so myself, it looks rather good now.
That is correct, it's not perfect but it gets me from A to B.
I've just gone back and seen the finished job - pretty good!That is correct, it's not perfect but it gets me from A to B.
And a C70, not a C90, I used to have red C70 about a million years ago.
Round headlamp model too!
Anyway, don't want to hijack this thread so I'll shut up now.
Nicely done Kamil! Those Hondas are wonderful machines too, I used to have a couple of PA50 Caminos and they were great fun for messing about on, if a bit girly in the blue, white and pink colour scheme 
Got the new throttle bushes fitted today as the originals had all but crumbled away. I don't think she'll see the road any more this month as it's just not worth it with the salt and water about. The yard looks a bit like the Somme at the moment so even getting to the main road is an issue!
With a bit of luck I might get a half decent video camera from Santa so you might all see a few clips of the beast shortly
Got the new throttle bushes fitted today as the originals had all but crumbled away. I don't think she'll see the road any more this month as it's just not worth it with the salt and water about. The yard looks a bit like the Somme at the moment so even getting to the main road is an issue!
With a bit of luck I might get a half decent video camera from Santa so you might all see a few clips of the beast shortly
Bit of a thread update. Nothing too special and not too many tales of woe just yet! Both front wheel bearings have been greased up and tightened, an exhaust leak further down has been sorted out, and generally we've been wafting around beautifully. I was stuck in traffic a couple of days ago and it was evident the idle was too high, as even in gear it was at around 900rpm and just wanted to go. I've turned that down a bit, and now there's no more 'clonk' as you put it into drive.
A few shameless posing pictures, two of Britain's great Jags
The car is due a good wash and polish, and I've been considering getting a crusty rear arch sorted out. The plan is get some recommendations first, then see what quotes they can come up with. I've used a local bodyshop round the corner from us on my old daily to repair a front wing and their work was dire. The paint match was terrible and you could see the filler through the paint, of which they'd used plenty. So any recommendations for a good bodyshop in the three counties area, much appreciated!
A few shameless posing pictures, two of Britain's great Jags
The car is due a good wash and polish, and I've been considering getting a crusty rear arch sorted out. The plan is get some recommendations first, then see what quotes they can come up with. I've used a local bodyshop round the corner from us on my old daily to repair a front wing and their work was dire. The paint match was terrible and you could see the filler through the paint, of which they'd used plenty. So any recommendations for a good bodyshop in the three counties area, much appreciated!
LewG said:
Bit of a thread update. Nothing too special and not too many tales of woe just yet! Both front wheel bearings have been greased up and tightened, an exhaust leak further down has been sorted out, and generally we've been wafting around beautifully. I was stuck in traffic a couple of days ago and it was evident the idle was too high, as even in gear it was at around 900rpm and just wanted to go. I've turned that down a bit, and now there's no more 'clonk' as you put it into drive.
A few shameless posing pictures, two of Britain's great Jags
The car is due a good wash and polish, and I've been considering getting a crusty rear arch sorted out. The plan is get some recommendations first, then see what quotes they can come up with. I've used a local bodyshop round the corner from us on my old daily to repair a front wing and their work was dire. The paint match was terrible and you could see the filler through the paint, of which they'd used plenty. So any recommendations for a good bodyshop in the three counties area, much appreciated!
Is Norfolk too far for you? David at Allders Classics has done good work on mine ... http://www.aldersclassics.co.ukA few shameless posing pictures, two of Britain's great Jags
The car is due a good wash and polish, and I've been considering getting a crusty rear arch sorted out. The plan is get some recommendations first, then see what quotes they can come up with. I've used a local bodyshop round the corner from us on my old daily to repair a front wing and their work was dire. The paint match was terrible and you could see the filler through the paint, of which they'd used plenty. So any recommendations for a good bodyshop in the three counties area, much appreciated!
Chris, that is a shame as it looks to be a pretty straight example, and you don't get much rarer than an Insignia from what I hear. Do you have any idea what's actually wrong with it?
Mark, thanks for the lead, that looks like the sort of place I need to be after. I will try a bit closer to home first but will certainly bear them in mind
Mark, thanks for the lead, that looks like the sort of place I need to be after. I will try a bit closer to home first but will certainly bear them in mind
I had a couple of these, fabulous cars
MPG was never above 18mpg, that was running on cruise on the motorway but worth it for the experience.
On mine the head gasket went, two full days fiddling to replace them and needed to use my engine hoist to lift off the block, jaguar used studs, for a while I thought the lump was going to have to come out to pull them it managed to fiddle them off in the end.
Gearboxes are tough, mine whined in first until I changed the fluids. First time I drove it in the wet I found myself pointing the wrong way.
Have a good poke around the radius arms on the sills, if nice and solid try and float a load of wax oil into the sills, oh and chop out the centre exhaust boxes
MPG was never above 18mpg, that was running on cruise on the motorway but worth it for the experience.
On mine the head gasket went, two full days fiddling to replace them and needed to use my engine hoist to lift off the block, jaguar used studs, for a while I thought the lump was going to have to come out to pull them it managed to fiddle them off in the end.
Gearboxes are tough, mine whined in first until I changed the fluids. First time I drove it in the wet I found myself pointing the wrong way.
Have a good poke around the radius arms on the sills, if nice and solid try and float a load of wax oil into the sills, oh and chop out the centre exhaust boxes
z4chris99 said:
...
insignia just meant body coloured wood inside I believe
The Insignia XJS came with semi-aniline full leather covering everything. The complete fascia, door casings, parcel shelf, sunvisors, cantrails etc. are all full leather, together with the seats. These were available in a vast range of colours, some of which are quite striking. Some cars were painted in one off colours of the owner's choice. Many Insignias are unique. Insignia Jaguars also have Wilton carpets, the choice of various wood colours and a different range of metallic paints - yours looks to be Mineral green. They were very expensive and rare cars. insignia just meant body coloured wood inside I believe
Jaguar only built 57 XJS Insignias (though the XJ40 Insignia was much more common). They are sought after now and worth more than the standard XJS.
Grom1t said:
I had a couple of these, fabulous cars
MPG was never above 18mpg, that was running on cruise on the motorway but worth it for the experience.
On mine the head gasket went, two full days fiddling to replace them and needed to use my engine hoist to lift off the block, jaguar used studs, for a while I thought the lump was going to have to come out to pull them it managed to fiddle them off in the end.
Gearboxes are tough, mine whined in first until I changed the fluids. First time I drove it in the wet I found myself pointing the wrong way.
Have a good poke around the radius arms on the sills, if nice and solid try and float a load of wax oil into the sills, oh and chop out the centre exhaust boxes
Let's hope I never have the pleasure! According to the previous owner the gearbox fluid was changed in the last service which was around 15 months ago, it's done more or less no mileage since. Looking at the colour of the fluid would pretty much confirm this, although I might replace and slap a new filter in just for good measure. MPG was never above 18mpg, that was running on cruise on the motorway but worth it for the experience.
On mine the head gasket went, two full days fiddling to replace them and needed to use my engine hoist to lift off the block, jaguar used studs, for a while I thought the lump was going to have to come out to pull them it managed to fiddle them off in the end.
Gearboxes are tough, mine whined in first until I changed the fluids. First time I drove it in the wet I found myself pointing the wrong way.
Have a good poke around the radius arms on the sills, if nice and solid try and float a load of wax oil into the sills, oh and chop out the centre exhaust boxes
Been a little while since the last update.
I hate to admit it but not a lot of work has been achieved, haven't been in the mood to be out in the shed recently. Fuel tank vent lines have been removed and blown through, no issues there. Whilst I was fiddling around in the boot I took all of the carpets and panels out and used a wet vac to clean them up. It's really taken away that 'old' smell they had before, and improved that area no end.
Nothing has been done with the headlining as of yet, however I have bought some new Mintex pads and Brembo discs for up front, and managed to ponce some proper lockwire for the calliper bolts off a mate who works at an aviation company. Fitting those tomorrow.
The other annoying niggle having driven it hard on a couple of occasions now seems to be that the kickdown isn't working as it should. You'll be in top gear at 60mph for example, foot down to the floor and nothing happens. What would you all suggest for this, check the microswitch on the throttle pedestal, wiring, and pipes? Here's hoping it's not going to get too wallet burning just yet
Lew
I hate to admit it but not a lot of work has been achieved, haven't been in the mood to be out in the shed recently. Fuel tank vent lines have been removed and blown through, no issues there. Whilst I was fiddling around in the boot I took all of the carpets and panels out and used a wet vac to clean them up. It's really taken away that 'old' smell they had before, and improved that area no end.
Nothing has been done with the headlining as of yet, however I have bought some new Mintex pads and Brembo discs for up front, and managed to ponce some proper lockwire for the calliper bolts off a mate who works at an aviation company. Fitting those tomorrow.
The other annoying niggle having driven it hard on a couple of occasions now seems to be that the kickdown isn't working as it should. You'll be in top gear at 60mph for example, foot down to the floor and nothing happens. What would you all suggest for this, check the microswitch on the throttle pedestal, wiring, and pipes? Here's hoping it's not going to get too wallet burning just yet
Lew
LewG said:
Been a little while since the last update.
I hate to admit it but not a lot of work has been achieved, haven't been in the mood to be out in the shed recently. Fuel tank vent lines have been removed and blown through, no issues there. Whilst I was fiddling around in the boot I took all of the carpets and panels out and used a wet vac to clean them up. It's really taken away that 'old' smell they had before, and improved that area no end.
Nothing has been done with the headlining as of yet, however I have bought some new Mintex pads and Brembo discs for up front, and managed to ponce some proper lockwire for the calliper bolts off a mate who works at an aviation company. Fitting those tomorrow.
The other annoying niggle having driven it hard on a couple of occasions now seems to be that the kickdown isn't working as it should. You'll be in top gear at 60mph for example, foot down to the floor and nothing happens. What would you all suggest for this, check the microswitch on the throttle pedestal, wiring, and pipes? Here's hoping it's not going to get too wallet burning just yet
Lew
In most cases with the slushbox it's best to forget about the kickdown and drive it using the gearshift with the added advantage of being able to hold it in 1 or 2 regardless of throttle position.It's also a good idea to get the 1 st gear downshift inhibitor removed because that won't allow you to get it into first at the type of speed where it can still be used to great effect.Then save up the money and throw it in the skip as soon as possible and then fit a manual box together with a pre HE 3.07:1 diff. I hate to admit it but not a lot of work has been achieved, haven't been in the mood to be out in the shed recently. Fuel tank vent lines have been removed and blown through, no issues there. Whilst I was fiddling around in the boot I took all of the carpets and panels out and used a wet vac to clean them up. It's really taken away that 'old' smell they had before, and improved that area no end.
Nothing has been done with the headlining as of yet, however I have bought some new Mintex pads and Brembo discs for up front, and managed to ponce some proper lockwire for the calliper bolts off a mate who works at an aviation company. Fitting those tomorrow.
The other annoying niggle having driven it hard on a couple of occasions now seems to be that the kickdown isn't working as it should. You'll be in top gear at 60mph for example, foot down to the floor and nothing happens. What would you all suggest for this, check the microswitch on the throttle pedestal, wiring, and pipes? Here's hoping it's not going to get too wallet burning just yet
Lew
Like you say Trevor it must pain owners who've owned them from new to sell them for so little!
Had a mess around with it this evening as I felt guilty for going for a pub lunch this afternoon instead of working on it, kickdown microswitch adjusted in slightly, and hey presto it works beautifully. Pretty chuffed with that, outgoings £0, 5 minutes of time, success. No doubt darker storms lie ahead
Had a mess around with it this evening as I felt guilty for going for a pub lunch this afternoon instead of working on it, kickdown microswitch adjusted in slightly, and hey presto it works beautifully. Pretty chuffed with that, outgoings £0, 5 minutes of time, success. No doubt darker storms lie ahead
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