Advice on purchasing a conversion Jaguar
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Advice on purchasing a conversion Jaguar
I am just thinking about it. My son asked me what my favorite car was and I said an older Jaguar. So, I want to buy an older jaguar with a 350 conversion. I am going to use the car as my transportation. With the conversion will it become a reliable car or are there electrical and other problems with which to be concerned? thanks
#2
RE: Advice on purchasing a conversion Jaguar
Despite 350 is a reliable engine ,I think, a Jaguar should carry a Jaguar engine in it . I have no any idea whether it will a reliable car hence . However at least you have to see no leaks nor other quirk problems related to the engine .350 is a bullet proof one
Other side of the pictureputting a "foreign" part in another car is not what I wanna have namely if it is for Jag .
Other side of the pictureputting a "foreign" part in another car is not what I wanna have namely if it is for Jag .
#3
RE: Advice on purchasing a conversion Jaguar
The Chevy engine is bullet proof, as long as you do what you gotta do. Let the engine warm up before running it, oil change every 3000 miles, and after that run it like you stole it. As for electrical problems, what older jaguar do you want, and what's "older" for you? 1996 or 1956?
#4
RE: Advice on purchasing a conversion Jaguar
The engine swap can go either way. Be sure that whomever you have perform the swap will be around to work on it. We dread them coming here because we don't know where wiring goes, etc. It opens up a much large can of worms than you see on the surface. The inline six engines are very reliable, they like to leak a lot of oil though. The electrical is what shoots them in the foot. The v12 engine can be reliable if you keep it cool. Over heat it once and you're sunk!
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
RE: Advice on purchasing a conversion Jaguar
Thanks for the advice. I think I am looking for a 1978-87 Jaguar with a 350 already installed and a wiring diagram. I would not mind installing a 350.Is there is a model or year in which the electrical system was more reliable? I will be buying a car in the next few weeks and would love it if it could be a Jaguar. What do Jaguar's with a 350 get for gas mileage?
#7
Trending Topics
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
RE: Advice on purchasing a conversion Jaguar
Thanks for your help. I think the practical has won out, and I will be getting a slightly used GM car. I did find a beautiful 2002 x-type for $9,000 but after reading in the x-type forum, I may not have enough spare cash to own a Jaguar.
Thanks again
Thanks again
#11
RE: Advice on purchasing a conversion Jaguar
I almost dropped a 350 in my 86 soveriegn -- then I opted to have the original engine rebuilt. Cost a bit more, but I'm damn glad I did it. I have no disrespect for the Chevy 350 (got one in my 86 K-10 Scottsdale), but it's no jaguar engine. I thought I found a website once (sorry no link) that had some used AJ16's for only $600 if you're still considering a jag engine -- good luck either way.
#12
Despite 350 is a reliable engine ,I think, a Jaguar should carry a Jaguar engine in it . I have no any idea whether it will a reliable car hence . However at least you have to see no leaks nor other quirk problems related to the engine .350 is a bullet proof one
Other side of the pictureputting a "foreign" part in another car is not what I wanna have namely if it is for Jag .
Other side of the pictureputting a "foreign" part in another car is not what I wanna have namely if it is for Jag .
#13
I have converted 2 Jags to Chevie V8. The first was a series 1 XJ6, 1972 as I recall, with 110,000 miles converted to 400 small block with a turbo hydromatic. It was a very successful conversion. The thing got 18 MPG, 0 to 60 was much improved as was handeling. However, the engine was not as smooth as the old 6 and there was a curious harmonic introduced. Not objectionable, just different.
I was a member of the Rocky Mt. Jag Club at the time and I can tell you that I told no one as I valued my life. I sold that car off when I got tired of having nothing to do to it. Big mistake.
The second conversion was a 1986 XJS V12 with high miles. I put in a 455 big block with an R700 transmission. Not a good match overall. I got good gas milage, around 18/19 on the highway and good accelaration. However it ate 2 transmissions, plowed like a bitch in the turns in spite of being lighter in the front and that curious harmonic was present as well. I did get a $1000 for the old V12 engine. I sold that car and was glad to be rid of it. Stay with the lightest engine/trans combo you can find.
Both cars were documented to a fare the well with wiring diagrams and build logs. Because of that I never had any trouble with service at GM or Jag establishments and I had no trouble selling them. In fact I had a list of guys who wanted the cars when I was done having a great time with them.
In sum I would not buy a conversion Jag unless you know the builder was a true hot rod craftsman. There are a lot of details, I kid you not, that must be done right, like spedo calibration, instrumention, penion angles,air conditioning, etc. The proof is in the build documention and wiring diagrams. O yes. If see any evidence of sloppy work run away. If you are concerned about what you can see think of all that is involved that you don't see.
I was a member of the Rocky Mt. Jag Club at the time and I can tell you that I told no one as I valued my life. I sold that car off when I got tired of having nothing to do to it. Big mistake.
The second conversion was a 1986 XJS V12 with high miles. I put in a 455 big block with an R700 transmission. Not a good match overall. I got good gas milage, around 18/19 on the highway and good accelaration. However it ate 2 transmissions, plowed like a bitch in the turns in spite of being lighter in the front and that curious harmonic was present as well. I did get a $1000 for the old V12 engine. I sold that car and was glad to be rid of it. Stay with the lightest engine/trans combo you can find.
Both cars were documented to a fare the well with wiring diagrams and build logs. Because of that I never had any trouble with service at GM or Jag establishments and I had no trouble selling them. In fact I had a list of guys who wanted the cars when I was done having a great time with them.
In sum I would not buy a conversion Jag unless you know the builder was a true hot rod craftsman. There are a lot of details, I kid you not, that must be done right, like spedo calibration, instrumention, penion angles,air conditioning, etc. The proof is in the build documention and wiring diagrams. O yes. If see any evidence of sloppy work run away. If you are concerned about what you can see think of all that is involved that you don't see.
Last edited by user 2029223; 01-12-2010 at 12:57 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Doberman_Fan
S-Type / S type R Supercharged V8 ( X200 )
22
12-24-2019 06:21 AM
msdg137
XK8 / XKR ( X100 )
7
09-16-2015 06:24 AM
350, 87, chevrolet, chevy, concersion, conversion, conversions, engine, installing, jag, jaguar, kit, reliable, swap, xj8, xk8
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)