Hi
Bought a bit of a project, well its mot'd and runs well but needs a few bits of TLC.
Its an 85 3.6 Manual but seems to have been converted to a 4.0 Auto (presumably due to 3.6 engine giving up and the much higher cost of the Box that fits the 4.0), it also has a very well installed high quality LPG system (Donut tank in boot and filler under fuel flap, auto switch over and auto lube). It has a TWR body kit as well so looks rather smart in Bright Red, The interior seems to have had facelift door cards etc as it has wood trim on rear quarters, just need to fix sagging headliner inside. Exhaust looks like a Stainless Steel set up and the suspension allegedly is from a DB7, but until someone in the know inspects it, I can't confirm that.
All electrics seem to work OK. Bodywork inc underneath is solid with njo sign of the XJS tin worm.
So work to be done and parts needed if anyone can help:
1 Rear belts taken out so need two rear set belts complete in beige/magnolia - apparently the facelift ones are different and wont fit, or am I mistaken.
2 need a boot floor board, the one fitted is a DIY job, bit untidy.
3 unfortunately the delivery co messed up the handbrake and it now wont release - have a mobile mechanic coming to see it next week, at present its motionless in my garage, any tips? We couldn't release the handbrake, it was pulled hard up and then there was a 'ping'! Have ordered a new cable anyway.
Next I need to get the car registered properly, its still down as a 3.6 Manual and presumably LPG also needs notifying to DVLA? So can anyone confirm what year/exact type engine is from the number below?
Engine: 9EPCNA161951
VIN ties in with age as it ends 122113
I will get a firm in Coventry to certify the LPG instal.
So any parts/tips you may have I'd be glad to receive them.
Picture below on collection from previous owner, only done 500 miles since last MOT in March 17 so decided to have it picked up.
Ian
Also have 73 Stag Manual O/D, 85 SD1 V8 Manual with Offenhauser/Holley (might be up for sale)- but will six cylinders in XJS be enough for me?
if all you are doing is changing the engine category and transmission type on the V5 log book ?? then you DONT need a year for the motor or gearbox on that document .simpley put a line through the current engine size and write the new one next to it in ink, same goes if you are changing transmission type manual to auto or visa versa put a pen line through the old one and write the new one next to it ,
again engine number do the same a line through the old one write the new one at the side if your keeper address details are correct and havent changed then simply sign and date it bottom left corner to confirm the changes are correct, and thats it post it off to dvla
by enlarge DVLA are not that interested in engine numbers cars or bikes its vin numbers and chassis numbers they want correct for a given model year vehicle, ive registered a lot of imported vehicles with dvla down the years on those applications the engine numbers are OPTIONAL you dont have to state an engine number its the vin /chassis details they want correct regards Glenn
P.S. the chromed handbrake lever itself on all XJS cars should remain slack ,when its on or off,
press the button in and raise the lever gently to the top of its travel ,
release the button the handbrake falls down flat again but the brake is engaged
to release the handbrake same action again pull the slack handbrake up to the top of its travel THEN press the button in, again the lever should fall flat but the brake has been released
NEVER force these !! IT sounds as though the lever has been roughly treated and the cables come off sorting the handbrake and brakes on facelift cars ought to be mighty easier than pre-facelift models of which the rear brakes are INBOARD and the rear axle and mounting cage needs to be dropped from the car to access the brakes THAT IS a real mess about big job ,
THE BRAKES ON FACELIFT CARS ARE OUTBOARD WHERE YOU WOULD NORMALLY FIND THEM ON MOST CARS WHICH MAKES ACCESS A WHOLE LOT EASIER!!!!
regarding trim pieces and internal fittings etc these can be HARD to very hard to come by today, facelift models were made between 1992 and 1996 only the vast majority of fittings are DIFFERENT from previous model cars so parts today are not plentyfull for these models at all ,internal trim specific coloured belts etc are not going to be ten a penny im afraid
the BEST people to try today for Jaguar related trim parts both internal and external etc are midlands based "Black Country Jaguar "
this company bought the entire Jaguar factory warehouse stock of trim parts which included cars like the XJ and XJS models several million pounds worth that was back in 2007 , the Jaguar factory decided they no longer wanted to store warehouses of slow selling trim parts and elected to sell off what they held in stock in favour of having a trim part made when a customer order was received ,
id add that WONT happen in 2018 with models like the XJ-S many many part items for these cars are now discontinued new by the factory, it is also to be remembered that FORD bought the entire JAGUAR buisness in 95/96???? and an awful lot changed that wasent for the better regarding things like this.
back to Black Country Jaguar they will no doubt still have some of this old trim stock left id doubt they have sold every last piece , ,so id suggest them as first port of call for ANY trim parts you require today . regards again
Thanks Glenn
I'll get brakes sorted first (miffed as I
never use handbrake on autos) then start lolooking looking for trim. I can get to Black Country Jag in an hour so might be a fun shakedown trip.
So we have made progress in the snow............................
First three driver's seat bolts off in about 5 mins, 4th one (rear offside) took a couple of hours as it had a rounded off nut underneath, it broke three hacksaw blades cutting through but finally - success! Exposed handbrake catch mechanism, no damage etc and freed it off - handbrake released immediately and car rolls freely. Now to get it out of garage and tighten squeaky belt (not sure which one yet).
Now REAR SEAT BELTS, what is difference between original inertia reel ones and facelift ones (much cheaper), will facelift ones fit? The rear shelf and two bottom mounting points seem standard to me - very similar to my old P6 Rover - presume PO removed these when he fitted facelift interior?
Discovered as well that whole cabin is lined with Dynamat sound deadening material, suppose thats a bonus as well.
As soon as i'm allowed to drive again after my impending op, this will be on road!
Ian
Not a lot of progress post Op....
Have identified the handbrake lever 'fly off' mechanism is broken so i've ordered a replacement used lever assembly, i'm hoping its a case of unbolt the original and bolt on the replacement, ensuring cable is attached properly.
Just waiting for rear belts and boot trim to be delivered so I can fit them before taking car to be re mot'd (due 26 March) and have LPG system certified. Once handbrake sorted, rear belts in and rear seats refitted, I cant see any obvious failure items - couple of bulb replacements needed.
Alternator belt to be tightened, thats the only under bonnet item needed.
Ian
Keep the updates on progress coming...
Moved to Projects Category - Admin
Work and weather has stopped progress, dont want to work in rain!!
Alternator belt tightened and quiet.
One rear belt in, all lights and mot bits bar handbrake now functioning - new Toyo tyres to be fitted before mot. NSF electric window inop, need to sort that.
DVLA have sent V5 back with no changes, apparently I need a garage to inspect car before they'll allow engine change to be registered - even though it was done about 5 years ago! Grrr Maybe MOT garage can do that.
Is there any way of proving its now a 4.0, is it stamped anywhere on engine or is there a Jag engine no database to check?
Thanks
Ian
Hoping to get letter from JEC re engine swap to appease DVLA, apparently they are being stricter due to rolling mot inspections and other things. I think they want to make sure conversions are safe and not done with stolen parts!
We now have new oil and filter, plugs etc, Toyo tyres, and a new MOT, albeit with rear seat belts removed. I fitted them and checked by yanking a few times, no problem. When MOT tester pulled both belts to test, top bolt came out of parcel shelf hole....its really odd as bolt screws in OK but then seems to be able to come out - and its an XJS one. I'll try longer bolts but am stumped at present - all other bolts seem to just locate in the threaded holes.
Only minor irritant now is the NS electric window doesn't work.
MOT tester and garage that sorted handbrake and other original mot issues stated the resto was excellent, underneath and running gear very clean, SS exhaust confirmed and also that Shocks at rear are not standard Jag (possibly tighter DB7 or maybe TWR). They also confirmed that the LPG installation is excellent and looks as good as factory fit ones on other cars - so thats a bonus.
Taxing today at Post Office (cant do online as its still 'Disabled' taxation class).
Been offered a Sunbeam Lotus from a friend's family, i'd love it but I'd need to sell this and the Singer to pay for it............TBH i'm tempted but who knows, this drives superbly and at 55 I need my creature comforts!