A great day thanks to Ivan!

[Mikebentley]

Both my classics refused to start a few months back which in the XKs case wasn’t unusual but my Vitesse has never not started in 13 yrs. I ordered all the service kits for both a couple of weeks ago and this weekend called my mate whose dad is a classic car enthusiast.
He had commitments on the weekend but arrived this morning with his little box of tools. My dad died last year following a long battle with dementia so I was never able to learn what he knew.
Anyway after about 35 mins and a systematic approach ...the Vitesse fired up. We also diagnosed a fuelling issue as a result of a leaking AC glass top fuel pump which had emptied and had also created an airlock. I have now repaired this.

We then started on the Jag which you only get a few goes at before it kills the battery. It’s also still positive earth. Again a systematic approach. Fuel pump working, fuel at carbs, then clean and check plugs. Then after a couple of goes it roared into life.

I’ve posted this to say I understand old cars but am now resolved to do more myself. It feels like the first day I passed my test knowing they are out there ready to go as they should be. I will never leave them so long again. Does anyone know of a Citeck type battery conditioner that has switchable polarity as one is neg and the other pos earth?
Shameless picture

[Mikebentley]

[Yertis]

That Jag is lovely.

[finlo]

Mikebentley said:

Both my classics refused to start a few months back which in the XKs case wasn’t unusual but my Vitesse has never not started in 13 yrs. I ordered all the service kits for both a couple of weeks ago and this weekend called my mate whose dad is a classic car enthusiast.
He had commitments on the weekend but arrived this morning with his little box of tools. My dad died last year following a long battle with dementia so I was never able to learn what he knew.
Anyway after about 35 mins and a systematic approach ...the Vitesse fired up. We also diagnosed a fuelling issue as a result of a leaking AC glass top fuel pump which had emptied and had also created an airlock. I have now repaired this.

We then started on the Jag which you only get a few goes at before it kills the battery. It’s also still positive earth. Again a systematic approach. Fuel pump working, fuel at carbs, then clean and check plugs. Then after a couple of goes it roared into life.

I’ve posted this to say I understand old cars but am now resolved to do more myself. It feels like the first day I passed my test knowing they are out there ready to go as they should be. I will never leave them so long again. Does anyone know of a Citeck type battery conditioner that has switchable polarity as one is neg and the other pos earth?
Shameless picture

One charger will do both,

[gothatway]

Two beautiful cars, both relatively simple mechanically and therefore normally easy to diagnose no start problems. If you don't tinker, you're missing out on a large part of the appeal of owning classics. How about asking Ivan to oversee you doing a complete service on the Vitesse ? I suggest the Vitesse as access around the engine is so much easier.

In terms of sharing a battery conditioner, I see no reason why one should be polarity-sensitive and even if it was you would only need to disconnect the battery while charging.

[Mikebentley]

Thanks Gothatway for the reply. I had already fitted new plugs, leads, distributor cap and rota arm prior to his arrival. I had purchased these plus condenser and points which I probably didn’t need to change.

I have restoration manuals and Haynes manuals for both. I also have a really simplistic book about how a car works and maintenance which like so many things “I have” I had purchased and not really looked at. I have all the gear and some idea. I also have 8 x 5Litre Heritage 20/50 oil I again purchased and just stored.

This weekend it’s a new inlet manifold gasket on the Vitesse and an oil and filter change. I am really determined to make this change to my attitude and do more myself. My brother(trained mechanic) and formerly father always took over in the past and with the Vitesse never missing a beat in 13 yrsand 21yrs of brand new cars my confidence waited.

New chapter of self maintenance has now started.

[gothatway]

[lowdrag]

Your XK120 is surely the prettiest of the whole XK range (as I belisve is the 3.8 E-type compared to the V12, or the MK VII to the IX) and all credit to you for keeping her on steel wheels. Spats would be nice though!

[harrycovert]

XK 140 Badge on grill deeper bumpers.

[Mikebentley]

lowdrag said:

Your XK120 is surely the prettiest of the whole XK range (as I belisve is the 3.8 E-type compared to the V12, or the MK VII to the IX) and all credit to you for keeping her on steel wheels. Spats would be nice though!

Thanks Lowdrag I have read your posts with interest in the past. It’s actually an XK140 1955 and completely original apart from some period mods. I believe as with so many it was a clubman competitors car for many years from about 1961/2. It has a red ignition isolator in the passenger footwell handy for removing and putting in my pocket. Someone had constructed and fitted a 1” copper pipe that the plug leads run through and a rather lovely brass “catcher can” that the oil breather pipe runs into.

My Jag man now sadly retired and I believe well regarded gave it a going through when I got it. He said that it was certainly breathed on but was very fast and healthy. It also has HDU8 Sand cast manifolds and a C type head. Mk10 brakes are also a period upgrade.

If you look really close it does have spats.

[hilly10]

Great stuff, I wish I knew more. I have read more about my TR6 but the fuel injection puts me off because, if I tinker with it, I will more than likely fook it up.