Hi all (my first post).
I have been lucky to get an auto Mk2 that has been sitting in a garage for 13yrs - I am doing preparatory work before I try a start.
It is fitted with an XJ6 S1 4.2 (originally a 3.4) and triple carbs too.
It was partially in pieces : I have just put the restored interior back in and numerous other tasks.; havent got it to run yet.
1. I am not sure if it has the original DG250 gearbox or BW 8 etc - how can I tell what it is?
2. The Mk2 column auto change is very difficult to move. If a later box, perhaps thats the problem
3. The car has a double choke cable - is that was E-Types had with 3 SUs?
Any comments would be appreciated!!!
Cheers,
M

 

If you can take a picture of the gearbox from underneath that would help identify it. The column change system should move fairly easily but if its mated to the wrong box that might be the issue, I assume your pulling the lever towards you before trying to move it? There are a lot of rods/linkages under the dash and it would be worth disconnecting the cable from one and seeing which bits move well and which don't.

 

The Model 8 has a significantly different selector to the DG 250

 

You have all the plugs out, are you planning to turn the engine over by hand ?
If not, you should do so gently to prevent bent stuck valves _ removing the cam covers is recommended while you watch the cams move.

If I remember, one has to turn the engine by hand with a large bar or a big ratchet down below, while another watches on top.
I think the locking tab has to be taken off to make use of the big nut on the end of the crank.
Or a big wrench, there's not much room.

 

JeffR1 has the right idea. I have seen stuck valves from sitting a long time.
In addition to removing the cam covers before even thinking of rotating the engine note which valves are currently depressed ie open.
These are the ones most likely to stick particularly inlet valves.
I suggest flooding the valves with lots of penetrating oil and leave as long as possible. If you have access to an air compressor spray penetrating oil into the spark plug holes and try to get the valves wet
When rotating the engine very slowly pay particular attention to the depressed/open valves and ensure they are following the camshaft back to closed.

If you do have the can covers off, I suggest you get rid of the red paint and revert to black. Looks much better!

 

The 4.2 engines from a 420 has had gearboxes like WB12, or XJ6 BW65/66.
Take some pictures from below.

 

Not true ~ They had the BW model 8 & later the BW model 12 ~ See my post 7 in this thread.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/m...engine-274505/

 

The 420 might have had the WB12 (what ever that is, possibly a typo and should read BW12) and the BW65/66 from the later XJ6 but these would have been after market additions to the 420. From the factory the only Auto box fitted to the 420 was the Model 8. The BW35 used in the 3.4 and 3.8 S Type with its alloy casing was deemed not strong enough to take the extra torque that the 4.2 engine could produce so they actually went backwards about ten years and chose the model 8 gearbox. This was clunky and not as refined as the BW35 but did its job. The 4.2 XJ6 series 1 ran the Model 8 auto box from 1968 until 1970 when it then had the Model 12 gearbox fitted as this was being used successfully on the XJ12 with the 5.3 V12.