Suffolk Jaguar SS100

[Roadstar800]

We've now gone as far as we can with the chassis before fitting the engine and transmission, still being rebuilt By Mick Hicks at Tourist Trophy Restorations. Mick himself was stuck for parts he's ordered from M C Wilkinson, Jaguar parts specialists of South Yorkshire and they in turn were also waiting for a couple of parts from their engineering partners. Following a few weeks of fairly intensive work on the SS, this weekend with nothing to do came somewhat as an anti climax and, as I was at a loose end, I decided to drive over to Wilkinson's - only a couple of hours away (Yorkshire is the Texas of England!) - and collect what parts were immediately available. I was pleasantly surprised to be advised that most of the outstanding parts had arrived there on their previous working day and I was able to load up all the parts with the exception of two gearbox parts that Wilkinson's said would be 'chased up' with their engineering partners. I must say I was totally impressed with Wilkinson's - their enthusiasm and dedication to anything and everything Jaguar was incredible - and the work going on in their specialised restoration engineering shop - I could hardly call it a common 'workshop' - was mind blowing! And friendly people, too, enthusiastically and proudly showing me round. I shall count myself to be fortunate that they're within easy driving distance.

Which brings me to the real point of this 'blog' - one of the parts I brought back with me was a starter motor. Mick Hicks, drawing from his Jaguar racing experience, had already recommended that we fit a new Hi-torque starter motor that I understand was developed for racing E-types, being lighter and more compact. I mentioned this to Mike Tink of Suffolk which prompted him to advise me of something I wasn't aware of until then. The standard Jaguar cast aluminium bell-housing has a large bulge on the side to accommodate the standard starter motor's substantial pinion. Apparently in the case of the SS this would cause a rather inconvenient intrusion of the foot well - not good for a normally configured biped! It was brought to my notice that this is rectified on factory built cars by cutting away the bulge, plating the hole and fitting a smaller starter. My new starter motor would be suitable for this mod, so that's what we had to do. Here are a few more pictures ....

This is a standard bell housing with the bulge ....................... and here is the modified housing




The new lightweight Hi Torque compact starter motor




And for comparison purposes the old and the new ..........

Edited by Roadstar800 on Monday 12th November 21:45

[Happy Jim]

In for interest, have admired these for ages but never managed to find anyone posting anything worthwhile about them (from a build perspective).

Top work so far Sir!

Jim

[Roadstar800]

Thanks - and I’m glad I’m keeping you happy, Jim 😊

[Squirrelofwoe]

Watching with interest!

My fiance's dad has one of these under construction in his garage, alongside his Healey 3000. It's currently on pause (aside from parts arriving) pending completion of another project, but parts of the suspension components/wheel hub assemblies have been fitted, and pretty much everything else is there ready for the chassis, including the fully rebuilt engine.

He's currently helping me with a small garage build for my TVR on the proviso that I help him crack on with the SS100 in the new year- probably the easiest deal I've ever agreed to!

[Roadstar800]

Squirrelofwoe said:

Watching with interest!

My fiance's dad has one of these under construction in his garage, alongside his Healey 3000. It's currently on pause (aside from parts arriving) pending completion of another project, but parts of the suspension components/wheel hub assemblies have been fitted, and pretty much everything else is there ready for the chassis, including the fully rebuilt engine.

He's currently helping me with a small garage build for my TVR on the proviso that I help him crack on with the SS100 in the new year- probably the easiest deal I've ever agreed to!

Now THAT is interesting - Before starting the build I tried to make contact with anyone doing the same. We could have swapped notes! It sounds as if your future F in L is at exactly the same stage as us. I’d love to hear of any problems he’s encountered to see how they compare to mine and how they were resolved. I assume he bought a 4.2 donor from Suffolk? Does he have the body yet?

[Squirrelofwoe]

Roadstar800 said:

Now THAT is interesting - Before starting the build I tried to make contact with anyone doing the same. We could have swapped notes! It sounds as if your future F in L is at exactly the same stage as us. I’d love to hear of any problems he’s encountered to see how they compare to mine and how they were resolved. I assume he bought a 4.2 donor from Suffolk? Does he have the body yet?

I don't think he's been in touch much with other owners/builders, I think there is one owner of a completed car in their classic car circle but that's about it. He always stops for a chat with the guys at the Suffolk stand each year at the Revival though! Their finished cars really are something else. We then always make a b-line for the GT40 replicas which is very much my own future dream

The donor car was actually my fiance's late grandfather's XJ6 that had been owned from new back in the 70's. By all accounts the engine was pretty much scrap (cracked block etc), but my future F in L wanted to use it for sentimentality purposes, retaining as much of a family connection within the Suffolk as possible. So the engine was completely rebuilt and is now sat waiting patiently for it's new home.

No body as yet, but he has sourced the big front headlights (via an auction), and has been discussing interior trim colours. The the most recent parts to arrive were fuel system components. The plan is to retain the dual fuel tank/pump setup of the XJ6 with a dash selector switch.

Unfortunately there isn't too much else to report at the moment as apart from acquiring parts the chassis itself hasn't seen much progress over the last 2 years, but the current (non-car) project is on course to be completed early next year so work on the car will hopefully be well underway again come the start of next summer.

[plum mcduff]

Hi Roadstar,

I have only just found your August post looking for those who have trodden this path before.

You're making a lovely job of it and having built two Suffolk SS100s over the last 15 years I admire the qaulity and attention to detail.

Sadly there isn't an 'owners' group or a 'builders' group for Suffolks (100s or CTypes) but there is a JDC historics and replica page on Facebook where many such owners make contact. if you visit that group you will find active discussion on UK registration issues. You may find it interesting to look at this page when deciding how to get your car road registered: https://www.suffolksportscars.com/pages/pages/self... May I suggest you read carefully what is and what is NOT said.

Your decision to install a high-torque starter is interesting. Not something Mike Tink and I have ever discussed but one I'll note.

Finally a pedantic note: somewhere in this thread a writer mentioned that the original SS100s had cable brakes. They didn't. All SS 'Jaguars' from 1936 had rod brakes.

Enjoy the build and when it's on the road enjoy the perpetual smile it will bring to your face and to many onlookers.

[Roadstar800]

Hi Plum

You've built TWO? Wow! I suppose by now you'll know how to built the third one! https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/imgs/2.gif
You sound just the man I was hoping to hear from.
Is there any way I can PM you?
I'll hold my hand up to the 'cable brake' for par - I should have written 'mechanical' .
I've tried the link you provided but it tells me it doesn't exist - I'll keep trying ...
Cheers

[bodmino]

Hi Roadstar,

I’ve just PM’d you.

I’ve been building an SS100 in Edinburgh over the last 12 months, and had it transported to Suffolk this week for trimming.

I’m in Birmingham tonight ready to attend the Classic Car show on Friday.

Will post some pictures when I get home.

[bodmino]

PS when I spoke to Mke Tink today I suggested a builders forum would have been really useful. He contacted me later with a link to this thread.

I’m wondering about a private Facebook page for SS100 builders.

[Squirrelofwoe]

bodmino said:

PS when I spoke to Mke Tink today I suggested a builders forum would have been really useful. He contacted me later with a link to this thread.

I’m wondering about a private Facebook page for SS100 builders.

That sounds a superb idea.

I know from experience on the private TVR enthusiasts Facebook page just how useful it is having a resource like that available where it's quick and easy to ask questions (with pictures too), and normally gets a much faster response than a traditional forum like this.

I would certainly be onboard

[Usget]

Nooo, don't go over to Facebook, then the rest of us won't be able to see your projects! Keep it on this thread and then we can enjoy them vicariously

[bodmino]

Big advantage if Facebook is the ease with which pictures can be posted.

Anyway I’ve started a group called ‘Suffolk SS100 Owners and Builders Group,

Do a search in Facebook and request to join the group. Will see how it goes.

[Roadstar800]

It was great meeting Bodmino at the NEC Classic Car show a couple of weeks ago and being able to swap notes with a fellow builder. I'll certainly be keeping in touch and looking forward to comparing notes with him as and when the occasion demands it - for advice as I strive to catch up with him!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch .... we're fully worked up as we await the next stage of the build - installation of the power train - and work has come to a grinding halt until we get the engine. Mick Hicks has now rx'd all the outstanding parts and is busy building up the engine which is a slower process than normal as, apart from Mick being extraordinarily meticulous, many parts call for plating, painting or polishing as they are reassembled. Here are a few pictures for your interest ...




Block blasted and painted authentic period Jaguar colour with casting suitably highlighted .....




New pistons and con rods. The original crankshaft reground to take the modified crankshaft end oil seal and installed .... all internal moving parts balanced beforehand, including flywheel and clutch.




Timing chains and tensioner installed - the original tensioner was hydraulic and depended on the oil pressure, meaning that on start up was 'slack' until the pressure built up. Later models were modified to 'spring and ratchet' to avoid this and so we elected to fit the later type as being mechanically preferable. Sump on .....[url]


|https://thumbsnap.com/OHr8hAnk[/url]

Building up the front end with new water pump etc., oil filter mounting and bypass installed, new head studs ... flywheel and clutch on ......[url]


|https://thumbsnap.com/GCmct0cQ[/url]

All ready to accept the power train ........ !!

Edited by Roadstar800 on Monday 19th November 23:29

[Squirrelofwoe]

Looking great!

Have you gone for a straight rebuild performance-wise?

[Roadstar800]

Yes, I’m going for a straight rebuild, Squirrelofwoe, with no performance enhancements. I didn’t think it necessary as I’m not going racing anywhere other than from traffic lights! What about your FF-in-L’s car? Has he ‘breathed’ on it?

[Squirrelofwoe]

Roadstar800 said:

Yes, I’m going for a straight rebuild, Squirrelofwoe, with no performance enhancements. I didn’t think it necessary as I’m not going racing anywhere other than from traffic lights! What about your FF-in-L’s car? Has he ‘breathed’ on it?

That makes sense, outright performance isn't exactly the main motivator in something like this!

No he has also gone for the straight rebuild route, albeit with a 4.2. With the amount of work the rebuild entailed (given the state of the original engine- cracked block etc) he probably could have had an off-the-shelf item with some significant upgrades for similar cost, but as he said, you can't put a price on sentimentality.

[bodmino]

Facebook page for owners, builders, and other interested parties.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/188819205373646/

[Roadstar800]

Alloy cam covers and various engine brightwork de-greased and cleaned - assembled ready to be polished




The head being prepped after skimming - new valves and guides, painted with the correct Jaguar colour code and the alloy cam covers half-way polished



Making a start on the gearbox .... ! All it apparently needed was a new layshaft as the original showed evidence of the hardening wearing thin but we're also replacing all the bearings too, as a matter of course. All gears and synchro's in good original condition.

Edited by Roadstar800 on Thursday 22 November 10:54

[Roadstar800]

While I'm waiting for the power train to be finished, which is well on its way now, Mick Tink of Suffolk has been keeping me up to date with progress of the body shell. It's been molded and is in their workshops being readied for the doors and alloy bonnet parts to be fitted. The fitting of these is a specialist craftsman's job - it isn't just a case of bolting them in. The individual doors are meticulously hand fitted to the apertures and skimmed, shimmed and adjusted until they are in perfect alignment. When finished they close with a satisfying 'clunk' with the shut-lines just 'so'. I know this because I've seen them do it in Suffolk's workshops! Similarly with the centre hinged louvered alloy bonnet that is precisely lined up to the radiator cowl. These are specialist craftsmen jobs that will be completed before the body is delivered to me - or, in this case, before I go to the factory to collect it. I have ordered the body unpainted but I could just as easily asked for it painted in a colour of my choice. I was in two minds in this respect as I originally intended to complete the body installation unpainted as it would be a relatively simple matter to rectify any holes drilled in error whilst a mistake with a painted body would be quite a different matter! Of course, assembly with an unpainted body would mean a lot of extra work pulling it all apart afterwards in order to have it painted and then re-assembled! As it happens I've decided to have the body put in colour locally and I'll be fitting it to the chassis in its new coat on the premise that at least 'my' painter will be at hand to repair any damage that may or, hopefully, may not occur.

The finished GRP moulding needs time to cure before being painted and so the time taken to fit these components proves to be quite convenient. It is scheduled to be ready for us at the end of January, after we've recovered from Christmas!

Here are a couple of pictures of the newly molded body in Suffolk's workshops, courtesy of Mike Tink

Edited by Roadstar800 on Monday 3rd December 22:32