Jaguar xjc 4.2
Discussion
RobXjcoupe said:
Bobberoo said:
Excellent news old chap, really glad to hear you're being encouraged to share your knowledge, I know it's sad but I really enjoy having apprentices to train, especially when their engaged and willing to learn!!!
The apprentices are proper beginners. Using hss tools only. The stress of clocking up 4 jaw chucks to run true. Oh to be 17 again 
Bobberoo said:
Aaahhhhhh the dying art of tool grinding, it astounds me that our apprentices, who all come through the local engineering training colleges are not taught to grind tools or drills!!!
That was one of the first things I asked. Level 1 and 2 are only given a theory lesson in sharpening tools.So this morning I dropped off the rear axle to the body restoration garage. Before it can be fitted the new fuel lines have to go on, then an exhaust heat shield then the axle. Currently a vehicle is using the body lift but when done mine is next. I’ll be using the series 1 xj boot mounted fuel pump positions. The fuel lines will be run in 10mm copper pipe using brass end connections I made to attach rubber flexible hoses accordingly. Nothing to use as a template but will look engineered when finished.
Not much progress at the moment what with a new job and cracking on with my first upholstery commission.
I’m still looking at variations of a Jaguar series interior design for the xjc and have been after a cheap pair of series 3 xj6 front seats for a template to play around with. Series 3 seats have a different style headrest with matching rear headrests. The original xjc style is a front seat headrest only never fitted with rear headrests.
These also have a lumbar adjustment which I will fit to the original xjc front seat frames. These red series 3 seats also have a line of piping either side of the pleats which helps strengthen that join. So a feature could be made of that or perhaps a two tone seat design. Daimler versions had black door top trim and I was just thinking I could do that with the seat centres also in black including the headrests with the rest of the seat in biscuit colour. I’ve also been thinking of the centre console as two tone also rather than just black. Simply using black on the console lid and keeping the rest in biscuit colour. I’ve tried a mock up with second hand bits and I think it shows promise especially once the trim is new again.
With the gearstick trim black and once the stereo headunit is fitted which is also black it kind of gives a nice effect that flows up the centre of the dash. Hard to explain in words but I can minds eye it. The headliner initially I was going with alcantara but now I think in leather to match the seat centres. Probably a little extravagant for a 70’s Jag. I need to make it a bit of a showcase of classic style to help get future upholstery work.
I’m still looking at variations of a Jaguar series interior design for the xjc and have been after a cheap pair of series 3 xj6 front seats for a template to play around with. Series 3 seats have a different style headrest with matching rear headrests. The original xjc style is a front seat headrest only never fitted with rear headrests.
These also have a lumbar adjustment which I will fit to the original xjc front seat frames. These red series 3 seats also have a line of piping either side of the pleats which helps strengthen that join. So a feature could be made of that or perhaps a two tone seat design. Daimler versions had black door top trim and I was just thinking I could do that with the seat centres also in black including the headrests with the rest of the seat in biscuit colour. I’ve also been thinking of the centre console as two tone also rather than just black. Simply using black on the console lid and keeping the rest in biscuit colour. I’ve tried a mock up with second hand bits and I think it shows promise especially once the trim is new again.
With the gearstick trim black and once the stereo headunit is fitted which is also black it kind of gives a nice effect that flows up the centre of the dash. Hard to explain in words but I can minds eye it. The headliner initially I was going with alcantara but now I think in leather to match the seat centres. Probably a little extravagant for a 70’s Jag
. I need to make it a bit of a showcase of classic style to help get future upholstery work. My car has black upper door trims and will stay that way. The centre console and the dashboard will be black too along with the carpets but the bin lid will be the same colour as the seats
If you’re gonna two tone the seats it generally always looks better if the outer is darker than the centres so I would do black bolsters and the centres in biscuit if that’s the scheme you’re looking at
If you’re gonna two tone the seats it generally always looks better if the outer is darker than the centres so I would do black bolsters and the centres in biscuit if that’s the scheme you’re looking at
craigjm said:
My car has black upper door trims and will stay that way. The centre console and the dashboard will be black too along with the carpets but the bin lid will be the same colour as the seats
If you’re gonna two tone the seats it generally always looks better if the outer is darker than the centres so I would do black bolsters and the centres in biscuit if that’s the scheme you’re looking at
That would make the interior black overall though with biscuit highlight. If you’re gonna two tone the seats it generally always looks better if the outer is darker than the centres so I would do black bolsters and the centres in biscuit if that’s the scheme you’re looking at
I found a couple of pictures below. Obviously not a xjc but the dark seat centre looks ok I thought.
Edited by RobXjcoupe on Sunday 9th May 21:26
Alfa Pete said:
How is the shell progressing Rob? Will we see it in paint soon?
Have you been following Harry’s Garage and his XJC rebuild?
The shell is repaired and in its primer. The boot lid as in latest pictures above is in epoxy. Had to wait 6 months for a replacement door skin. So that needs fitting. Both front wings had a rather shoddy mod done to fit e-type front indicators. These are being repaired to fit standard again. Bonnet needs a few repairs on the flanged outer over the inner. Possibly need to remove the outer skin to repair the inner bonnet panel. So once complete the shell needs to go back on it’s axles to then finalise the panel gaps. Before the axles are fitted, I need to fit new fuel lines and brake lines. The fuel lines especially as a heat shield goes over them which is sandwiched between the body and rear axle, which can then be bolted back on for good.Have you been following Harry’s Garage and his XJC rebuild?
I’ve watched the Harry’s garage xjc videos. Personally I don’t think enough attention to details has been carried out to the body especially the underside. But hey, not my money, not my car
New door skin tentatively fitted. Needs adjustment to get an even shut line all round. Roughly 3mm too deep into the sill panel. Same on both doors.
Front axle fitted. Nice to start seeing the XJC being rebuilt now. Front wings still need bottom edges repaired properly but for the photo they are on the car
Front axle fitted. Nice to start seeing the XJC being rebuilt now. Front wings still need bottom edges repaired properly but for the photo they are on the car
You may just see the smaller gap between the sill and bottom edge of door, also the new skin panel has a sharper bottom corner between the bottom edge and quarter panel. unlike the original bigger radius. Had a chat with the body work guy and all is doable for a perfect fit.
Above shows the rear anti roll bar fitted. The heat shield has been trimmed each side for the roll bar brackets. The fluffy glassfibre underside of that heat shield has been removed as is can act as a sponge if wet which caused the rot under the panel the rear bench seat fits on. I’ve mentioned before that for that repair a stainless steel panel was used. Now it’s all sealed, painted and covered you wouldn’t know it’s there.
The Facet boot mounted fuel pumps are now also fitted. New fuel lines can now be made and will be fitted with E10 fuel appropriate rubber hose for flexible joints. Fuel pumps will use the original wiring circuits so the dash mounted switch to swap between tanks is kept. Then once those fuel lines are made and fitted the rear axle can go back on. Will it sit too low or just right? That is the next wonder from me.
The front axle assembly also needs completion. The bigger Aston DB7 front anti roll bar fitted perfectly. I’ve used eibach springs with virtually the same dia coils and height as the modified Leda springs that were fitted before the restoration. Lots of modified parts here but not that noticeable really which was the plan. The new shock absorbers I’ve also prepped and painted in satin black. They aren’t shown in the above picture but will help keep things looking neat and unassuming.
Unfortunately no pictures currently as I've broken my phone, the car now has its outboard disc rear axle fitted together with the radius arms which were difficult to fit with both ends fitted with poly bushes. The new fuel line is also on. That also was a pain as I couldn't get nice tight bends without the copper wrinkling on the inside radius. So now on its wheels the door gaps can be corrected and the bottom edge of the front wings can be repaired and matched to the bottom door gap. Suspension wise its sitting high on the front as no engine currently and I would say the rear is sitting at standard height with no boot lid, fuel tanks, glass, bumpers etc. In theory it should sit lower which is what I'm after
Bonnet prep is looking good. No drilled holes to repair from a bonnet mascot. I was thinking of fitting a Daimler front grill and bonnet centre chrome trim. Not to make a Daimler version but just because I quiet liked the centre chrome on the bonnet. Dunno yet I’m still undecided especially as the bonnet is looking good with its clean lines
The body waiting patiently as I pay monthly instalments. Wiring loom still to check and then rewrap. Engine still in bits. That’s currently at my new work place. I need to check the condition of the bores as there is a bit of corrosion on the last 10mm of a cylinder bore. The one that had a seized/bent inlet valve. The vehicle to the right of the coupe I’m currently making new trim for the boot area. Flexible side panels with a carpeted upright under the parcel shelf together with a new carpet mat. No original trim to template from so making from scratch.
The blue vinyl is just my mock up material I use before making in the customers choice of colour.
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