A V12 sized gamble
Discussion
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
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
wst said:
'll have to keep an eye out for this lovely machine... I'm in Biggleswade 
I've love to have a shufti at the engine of one of these!
You're more than welcome to pop down for a look wst, our unit is at the microlight airfield in Sandy if you know where that is? I've love to have a shufti at the engine of one of these!Today has been an absolute nightmare, I moved onto the other side this afternoon and found the lower calliper bolt to be absolutely stuck solid. I tried everything, even heat, but no luck. Eventually it ended up like this:
Dodgy, I know, but after some persuasion with a sledgehammer, it worked!
I was thinking of the whole unstoppable force/immovable object scenario 
Just a rear radius arm to fit to the car this weekend, unfortunately I've sent the tax back for a few months to save a bit of money whilst the weather is dire. I'll tax her again come April/May time for 6 months so that'll see me through to the end of the show season.
Just a rear radius arm to fit to the car this weekend, unfortunately I've sent the tax back for a few months to save a bit of money whilst the weather is dire. I'll tax her again come April/May time for 6 months so that'll see me through to the end of the show season.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqpfKz8qMWk
Just found this on Youtube, the noise, the cheesy electrosynth, it's all so 80s but just brilliant
Just found this on Youtube, the noise, the cheesy electrosynth, it's all so 80s but just brilliant
Bit the bullet and ordered a new GRP headlining board covered in limestone cloth, comes with more cloth for doing the side batons and rear buttress panels. 150 quid including postage which I didn't think was too bad.
Probably spent enough money on it for now... the new anti roll bar drop links and polybushes were fitted yesterday, although when I tightened them up the bushes have came out of their locating cups on one side rather than compressing out. I tried loosening them off and pressing it in with a screwdriver, then tightening. No luck. Maybe a jubilee clip round them as they're tightened will work?
Probably spent enough money on it for now... the new anti roll bar drop links and polybushes were fitted yesterday, although when I tightened them up the bushes have came out of their locating cups on one side rather than compressing out. I tried loosening them off and pressing it in with a screwdriver, then tightening. No luck. Maybe a jubilee clip round them as they're tightened will work?
Good eyes Hooli, it is indeed. Quality! They're literally the best fun you can have on four wheels. We've had ours for about 12 years now, it's sort of turned into a family heirloom.
Looking a bit sad at the moment:
Been off the road for about 18 months now, slow progress being made. The exhaust system has had a manifold elbow replaced, along with both movable tubes, and elbow through the armour. The exhaust gases had actually eroded the armour and bowed it quite badly so I had to weld that back and grind it all flat again, then got some copper gaskets made up to seal it all.
With that done I replaced the oil filter, a big roll of cotton type stuff, took the fan off and repacked the bearings with grease, repainted the cowling, and put in a new radiator.
It all sounds quite easy, but it's a bloody nightmare to work on. Space is tight, and of course you have to remove the armour to get there in the first place. The bolts that hold it on are supposed to be captive, using a square nut inside a 'cage' with tangs on the inside edge to hold the nut. Of course over time they rust solid, so any force trying to undo them just forces the tangs outwards, and the whole lot starts spinning, just where you can't reach it.
The entire front hub assembly is off as well to have the trunnion bushes replaced as there was a fair bit of play there. Usually you can just take it off as one big lump, and I'm sure the allen bolts that hold the trunnion caps would've came off a piece of cake in 1954, 60 years later, not so much, so I had to take the whole hub apart to drill them out. It's a bit of a daunting thing to do let alone put back together. 6 planetary gears around the sun, each with 32 needle rollers. The planet carrier bolts are known for working their way loose causing absolutely catastrophic damage to the entire assembly too, so it's pretty essential it all goes back together as it should.
All good fun!
Looking a bit sad at the moment:
Been off the road for about 18 months now, slow progress being made. The exhaust system has had a manifold elbow replaced, along with both movable tubes, and elbow through the armour. The exhaust gases had actually eroded the armour and bowed it quite badly so I had to weld that back and grind it all flat again, then got some copper gaskets made up to seal it all.
With that done I replaced the oil filter, a big roll of cotton type stuff, took the fan off and repacked the bearings with grease, repainted the cowling, and put in a new radiator.
It all sounds quite easy, but it's a bloody nightmare to work on. Space is tight, and of course you have to remove the armour to get there in the first place. The bolts that hold it on are supposed to be captive, using a square nut inside a 'cage' with tangs on the inside edge to hold the nut. Of course over time they rust solid, so any force trying to undo them just forces the tangs outwards, and the whole lot starts spinning, just where you can't reach it.
The entire front hub assembly is off as well to have the trunnion bushes replaced as there was a fair bit of play there. Usually you can just take it off as one big lump, and I'm sure the allen bolts that hold the trunnion caps would've came off a piece of cake in 1954, 60 years later, not so much, so I had to take the whole hub apart to drill them out. It's a bit of a daunting thing to do let alone put back together. 6 planetary gears around the sun, each with 32 needle rollers. The planet carrier bolts are known for working their way loose causing absolutely catastrophic damage to the entire assembly too, so it's pretty essential it all goes back together as it should.
All good fun!
Edited by LewG on Sunday 2nd February 16:45
Edited by LewG on Sunday 2nd February 16:47
More V12 fun this evening, removed the old headlining ready to refit the new one. It's a slightly different colour when compared, but still virtually the same as the seats so no issues there. I removed the rear seat cushion and squab to make getting the rear buttress panels out easier as I've got extra fabric to recover them, and unfortunately found some of the dreaded rot down by the rear seatbelt mounts. I'll have to look at repairing this over the next few days, does anyone have any experience with repairs in this area?
Well a bit of an update for you all.
The new headlining is now in, and looking far better than the old one. It was totally knackered, I had no hope of re-covering the old board, it literally fell to pieces as it was removed.
Rear buttress panels and side batons re-covered too, not looking too bad for a first effort:
This is the old headlining, well and truly past it!
So whilst that all went fairly well, just to keep me on my toes it seems I've got a bit of a rear suspension issue. The O/S is sitting a fair bit lower than the N/S, I've only had a quick glance under there, I can't see any broken springs. I suspect someone in the past has replaced the N/S springs, but not the other side. Great.
O/S:
N/S:
I'm thinking drop the entire IRS and give it the business. I want it perfect for this coming summer and currently my bank balance is looking fairly healthy for a change...
The new headlining is now in, and looking far better than the old one. It was totally knackered, I had no hope of re-covering the old board, it literally fell to pieces as it was removed.
Rear buttress panels and side batons re-covered too, not looking too bad for a first effort:
This is the old headlining, well and truly past it!
So whilst that all went fairly well, just to keep me on my toes it seems I've got a bit of a rear suspension issue. The O/S is sitting a fair bit lower than the N/S, I've only had a quick glance under there, I can't see any broken springs. I suspect someone in the past has replaced the N/S springs, but not the other side. Great.
O/S:
N/S:
I'm thinking drop the entire IRS and give it the business. I want it perfect for this coming summer and currently my bank balance is looking fairly healthy for a change...
That is definitely an idea XJ, it makes you wonder why Jaguar didn't do it earlier in the first place?
To be honest I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to remove from the car. It's not all rosy though, one of the radius arm bolts has snapped getting it off. How I'm going to repair that at this point in time, I don't know.
HSE approved support blocks...
The plan is for now, beg and borrow an engine crane, make up some trestles to rest it on, then get to work
To be honest I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to remove from the car. It's not all rosy though, one of the radius arm bolts has snapped getting it off. How I'm going to repair that at this point in time, I don't know.
HSE approved support blocks...
The plan is for now, beg and borrow an engine crane, make up some trestles to rest it on, then get to work
Xtriple129 said:
Lovely, kudos to you young 'un!
I got my first XJS (pre HE)when I was about 25 and was smitten from then for several years and quite few versions of them.
My first one was white (the rumour was that Jag could only deliver white, blue or that beigey yellow colour due to problems with the new paint facility) and went rusty faster than you could polish it off! The seams between cills and rear wings seemed to discolour faster than it could be polished off. It was epically thirsty! Single figures always but then I did used to thrash it mercilessly - I was young and stupid and had far to much disposable income! It was also totally reliable, which surprised everybody. Never had a moments problem with it (other than the battery going flat once when I left the interior light on after an evenings 'entertainment'!
I traded it in for an early HE in sage green with doeskin interior and to be honest, it was a bloody dog. It was VERY slow compared to the earlier car and no better on fuel, the night I got shown a clean pair of heels while four up by an XR3I was the night I decided to sell it!
So I traded it in for a TWR version. I forget the actual spec (I'm old and senile now) but it had spoilers front and rear (rear one had a little hole in for the electric aerial to pop up through - loved that!) It was pretty quick (for the time) but went wrong on a daily basis and also started rusting behind the bodykit. Also, I very rapidly fell out of love with the outrageous styling of the TWR bits and instead of the pride I usually felt with my Jags, I felt a bit embarrassed by it.
When I tried to trade it in to my local dealer for a new one, they wouldn't take it!
Still, I bought another one, gunmetal grey met and sports interior. I loved that car to bits, it just looked great with the lattice wheels and lowered a bit. But, it really put me off XJS's for a while. It was terrible!
'G' reg and brand new, seemed to co-incide with Jaguar quality absolutely falling into the toilet. It spent more time back at HA Fox on Plymouth than it did in my posession. It failed to proceed regularly (eventualy traced to a bad connection in the drivers side bulkhead - auto electrician found that when Fox's couldn't) it kept throwing fan belts (and there's four of them) starter packed up, alternator went, rear brakes overheated, it had a persistant misfire... thelist went on and on.
All my partners had BMs and Mercs and it really irked me that they got exceptional service both from their cars and the dealers, whereas Fox's couldn't care less once they had your money!
So I got a Merc....
Still, I've had a few more over the years, all down in banger money. I love them dearly, but find them hard to live with. Just off to the classifieds... I may be some time!
Lovely! You're a brave man, to be honest I don't blame you for getting a reliable German barge instead! I can't imagine driving one of these every day. I'd quite like to drive an early XJS just to see what the pre-HE engine is actually like! Weirdly the TWR versions have never appealed to me, the wheels look a bit garish on the car and the bodykit in my opinion looks like it simply doesn't belong there. Same for some of the later versions, they look a bit bloated. I got my first XJS (pre HE)when I was about 25 and was smitten from then for several years and quite few versions of them.
My first one was white (the rumour was that Jag could only deliver white, blue or that beigey yellow colour due to problems with the new paint facility) and went rusty faster than you could polish it off! The seams between cills and rear wings seemed to discolour faster than it could be polished off. It was epically thirsty! Single figures always but then I did used to thrash it mercilessly - I was young and stupid and had far to much disposable income! It was also totally reliable, which surprised everybody. Never had a moments problem with it (other than the battery going flat once when I left the interior light on after an evenings 'entertainment'!
I traded it in for an early HE in sage green with doeskin interior and to be honest, it was a bloody dog. It was VERY slow compared to the earlier car and no better on fuel, the night I got shown a clean pair of heels while four up by an XR3I was the night I decided to sell it!
So I traded it in for a TWR version. I forget the actual spec (I'm old and senile now) but it had spoilers front and rear (rear one had a little hole in for the electric aerial to pop up through - loved that!) It was pretty quick (for the time) but went wrong on a daily basis and also started rusting behind the bodykit. Also, I very rapidly fell out of love with the outrageous styling of the TWR bits and instead of the pride I usually felt with my Jags, I felt a bit embarrassed by it.
When I tried to trade it in to my local dealer for a new one, they wouldn't take it!
Still, I bought another one, gunmetal grey met and sports interior. I loved that car to bits, it just looked great with the lattice wheels and lowered a bit. But, it really put me off XJS's for a while. It was terrible!
'G' reg and brand new, seemed to co-incide with Jaguar quality absolutely falling into the toilet. It spent more time back at HA Fox on Plymouth than it did in my posession. It failed to proceed regularly (eventualy traced to a bad connection in the drivers side bulkhead - auto electrician found that when Fox's couldn't) it kept throwing fan belts (and there's four of them) starter packed up, alternator went, rear brakes overheated, it had a persistant misfire... thelist went on and on.
All my partners had BMs and Mercs and it really irked me that they got exceptional service both from their cars and the dealers, whereas Fox's couldn't care less once they had your money!
So I got a Merc....
Still, I've had a few more over the years, all down in banger money. I love them dearly, but find them hard to live with. Just off to the classifieds... I may be some time!
It's such a shame Jaguar never quite achieved the decent quality this car deserved in its life. You're dead right, I was talking to my old flying instructor who worked for Jaguar years ago, he said a lot of the time it didn't actually matter if the car was any good or not, because the majority of Jaguar's customers had more than enough money to sort it, or buy another! Ridiculous attitude to take I know.
I still look at the XJS as the ultimate big GT car, but then my spectacles are thoroughly rose tinted!
V8 Disco said:
Love it - had a V12 HE about twenty years ago and even then it was a gamble... Auto box died on the first proper 'road trip' and cost me a fortune to fix, then the cruise and a/c died. Eventually the fuel consumption (it was Mrs V8's daily drive) got too much and she was sold. (the Jag, not Mrs V8) I still have something in my garage which I think you deserve to inherit, should you wish..... A complete spare V12!
It doesn't have any ancillaries and has been under the workbench for almost twenty years, so may need some 'refurbishment' but my plan was to fit six litre liners & pistons. I will be extracting from it's current resting place it in the summer and if you want it, it's yours for free! (collection only though )
Disco, that is fantastically generous of you, thanks very much. Just let us know when you eventually dig it out, I'll gladly come and collect it one way or another! It doesn't have any ancillaries and has been under the workbench for almost twenty years, so may need some 'refurbishment' but my plan was to fit six litre liners & pistons. I will be extracting from it's current resting place it in the summer and if you want it, it's yours for free! (collection only though
) I'm amazed that big old GM transmission gave up on you of all things! From what I've heard they're a pretty long lasting unit so you obviously had some seriously bad luck there
Just to add chaps, a couple of weeks ago I sent a letter and some pictures to the car's second owner who kept her from around 1990-1999. Basically I thanked him for putting so much time, money and effort into the car and keeping it in the condition it's in, and also for keeping such meticulous records. I told him of my plans for it, what I've been doing to it, you name it.
Yesterday, much to my surprise I got a letter back. It was from his daughter, telling me he had sadly passed away. By a stroke of luck she now lives at his address, and remembers his cars well. She thanked me very much, and said he would've been delighted to know it's in good hands, and that her mother always used to call her 'The Green Goddess'.
Allegedly in his younger days the owner started as an apprentice at Rolls Royce in Derby, and ended up as Managing Director of Rolls-Royce Diesel Engines at Shrewsbury, retiring in the 1980s. He loved nothing more than driving round the countryside in the car on a nice day, and was obviously a bit of a Jag man, owning an XJ6 as his daily driver.
I was pleased as punch with that, it was so nice to get some provenance and, I hope, make someone's day.
Yesterday, much to my surprise I got a letter back. It was from his daughter, telling me he had sadly passed away. By a stroke of luck she now lives at his address, and remembers his cars well. She thanked me very much, and said he would've been delighted to know it's in good hands, and that her mother always used to call her 'The Green Goddess'.
Allegedly in his younger days the owner started as an apprentice at Rolls Royce in Derby, and ended up as Managing Director of Rolls-Royce Diesel Engines at Shrewsbury, retiring in the 1980s. He loved nothing more than driving round the countryside in the car on a nice day, and was obviously a bit of a Jag man, owning an XJ6 as his daily driver.
I was pleased as punch with that, it was so nice to get some provenance and, I hope, make someone's day.
YoungRestorer said:
LewG, you are living the dream! If had had the cajones, I would certainly do the same!
Can I ask about your insurance? I didn't think there were any classic policies, and so I wondered who you were with, how much you paid etc?
Thankyou sir, insurance isn't that bad. If you search around, away from the mainstream insurance, be pushy over the phone, tell them you've had quotes elsewhere for so and so, you can get it surprisingly cheap! At the moment the car isn't insured for me, just dad whilst it's in storage, but I checked on a normal comparison website and limited mileage, use of other cars etc. I managed to get the price down to 790 quid. I'm planning to get an awful lot off that when I go to the classic brokers. Last year I managed to get my Series 3 Landy insured with Adrian Flux for £600 which I thought was pretty reasonable. They say they won't insure under 25, but with a bit of persuasion and going solely on my own policy, they did. Not sure how that one works, they obviously need the business!Can I ask about your insurance? I didn't think there were any classic policies, and so I wondered who you were with, how much you paid etc?
V8 Disco said:
I know what you mean about the GM (TH400?) Can't remember what it was - think a seal somewhere. You are really welcome to the engine - hope it's useful! As soon as the weather cheers up I have to hire a skip and start clearing a path to it (very messy garage!) once it's free I will let you know - PM me a telephone or email address. Seem to remember it arrived here in a VW transporter but you'll need something big plus a crane. Look forward to following progress on yours..
V8, shall PM you now. Think it'll go in the back of a Mondeo estate? Me and dad managed to lug a 2.8 Toyota straight six in the back, so I'm sure an engine double the size will be fine.... Failing that we'll get a van hired.Oh and bang on about the transmission, you've obviously got a good memory! You know you have a true man garage when you have to clear a path to items in there. Quality!
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