Jaguar xjc 4.2
Discussion
All but one part was galvanised. The front suspension subframe apparently couldn’t be done due to gas expansion within the welded compartment even though holes were put in by the galvanising firm, it was then acid dipped before they decided not to hot dip. Really pissed off as that part is now orange with rust which needs blasting again and I now need to repair the holes put into it.
Parts completed have come out fine including the radius arms which are a fabbed part with no extra gas expansion holes put in?! Go figure
Above is the glovebox lid of the freshly re-finished dash. Really pleased with that. Took the front and rear bumpers to stoneleigh today as a firm there will be restoring those. Any pitting, scraps, bends will be corrected and a finish better than new. Not cheap but I’m not wanting to be doing these again in my ownership. Still I’ve got 6 months to save and pay for them when I collect from stoneleigh spares day in October
xjc said:
Hi Rob, excellent thread, please keep the updates coming.
What mods had you done on your car when you were running it previously & what new ones are you planning on incorporating in the rebuild ? Any info would be much appreciated.
Thank you, erm mods when running was a series 3 xj6 5 speed manual gearbox to replace the original 3 speed auto. The 5th gear is in effect the same ratio as the old 4 speed manual with overdrive. The 5th gear reduces engine speed quite nicely when travelling at 70mph so no need to alter the original diff ratio. Top speed improved dramatically also. Series 3 speedo dial needs to be fitted as it’s an electric feed from the gearbox.What mods had you done on your car when you were running it previously & what new ones are you planning on incorporating in the rebuild ? Any info would be much appreciated.
The original engine seized up so a new series 3 injection engine was built but uses 3 su carbs to supply fuel. Never got these set up properly before the divorce kicked in. Now 11 years later it’s being repaired top to bottom.
Mechanically I’m fitting a late xjs outboard disc brake rear axle with power lock diff. All polybushed mounts and galvanised parts underneath. The car will sit low on conventional shorter springs with suitably uprated dampers. The front anti-roll bar is a larger diameter item from a db7 and will be fitting a rear anti-roll bar also. The brake calipers will be standard but as shown previously all fully rebuilt and working on grooved discs. Wheels will be 18s as before the stripdown. They will be changed to a different design but essentially the same size 18”x8j fronts and 18”x9j rears.
Body wise it’s being repaired as a series 2 xj. Some inner panels are using stainless steel, original powder coat items will be galvanised and then painted. Usual stuff really. I’m not putting a vinyl roof back. The colour won’t be original but will be a Jaguar code. Interior will be classic with subtle changes. Still about a year away to complete the body and axles. I’m only just about to start fitting the new bearings into the rear axle hubs lol. No rush though
I assume you are starting or about to start something similar?
Thanks for posting another great update Rob, you seem to be making good progress with the mechanicals while the body is being done.
I'm also working on a 4.2c, I bought it off a friend who had the body and paintwork done 30 years ago but didn't quite get the trim build back up and on the road again.
He moved to a house with no garage the other year and left it outside for 6 mouths before deciding to part with it.
He said he had the engine turning over on the starter before moving house but due to the tanks being rotted out could mot try starting it any longer. Upon me purchasing it and getting it back home I discovered the engine was seized.
The engine is now out, stripped and the guilty piston removed ready for accessing a rebuild.
Do you know if there are many advantages moving to a Series 3 head/engine ?
I may consider a swap, though I think I would like to keep this car standard spec as it is fairly original. This doesn't mean I'm adverse to modify a car as your doing far from it.
I love the modifications your doing on your car and will look at doing some on my next project, as I have a few Coupes to go at.
The next one will be a v12 with a manual box and abit more go, possibly a Broadspeed kit, as I still need to scratch that itch if I can find where to get some wheels of the original design.
I think I will retain the original auto box on the 4.2 and the ability to guild along, though will probably replace the rack and some if the suspension bushes.
Please keep the posts coming.
I'm also working on a 4.2c, I bought it off a friend who had the body and paintwork done 30 years ago but didn't quite get the trim build back up and on the road again.
He moved to a house with no garage the other year and left it outside for 6 mouths before deciding to part with it.
He said he had the engine turning over on the starter before moving house but due to the tanks being rotted out could mot try starting it any longer. Upon me purchasing it and getting it back home I discovered the engine was seized.
The engine is now out, stripped and the guilty piston removed ready for accessing a rebuild.
Do you know if there are many advantages moving to a Series 3 head/engine ?
I may consider a swap, though I think I would like to keep this car standard spec as it is fairly original. This doesn't mean I'm adverse to modify a car as your doing far from it.
I love the modifications your doing on your car and will look at doing some on my next project, as I have a few Coupes to go at.
The next one will be a v12 with a manual box and abit more go, possibly a Broadspeed kit, as I still need to scratch that itch if I can find where to get some wheels of the original design.
I think I will retain the original auto box on the 4.2 and the ability to guild along, though will probably replace the rack and some if the suspension bushes.
Please keep the posts coming.
xjc said:
Here is a pic of my car, it currently has Wolfrace wheels on, which I will probably change for Kent alloys before it goes back on the road.
I do also think the 18" wheels you where running on your car look well.
Trying to remember the series 3 engine differences, the block has areas machined/cast to stop it cracking between bores and I believe is cast different to strengthen. The series 3 pistons have shorter skirts and therefore less weight to throw up and down that long stroke. If an injection head is used it was made with bigger inlet valves and breathes better accordingly. That’s all I can remember engine wise. A good friend built my engine over 10 years ago now and was a 6 cylinder jag nut. His cars were of 60’s era and he used to rally his own built mk2 with success.
Well your cars body looks in damn better condition than mine did after sitting outside. It does rain a lot in South Wales though lol.
With regards to rebuilding the axles myself is purely down to cost. It would be fab to be able to farm everything out to various companies but I’m just a regular fella earning a regular wage. I post the pictures as they may give ideas to someone else in a similar position to me. I do enjoy it though. Making seemingly scrap parts look new again does give a sense of achievement
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