My XJ6 restoration is 99% complete. I have one issue to resolve. I need to refinish the manifold heat shield as the one on my car has become discolored. (No big surprise there as it's 25 years old!) I have purchased several used shields in hopes I could adequately clean one up. No luck there. I have experimented with various heat resistant paint products but can't replicate the look of the original plating process. I had one shield zinc plated and it's close, but not good enough. I was told these shields were originally cadmium plated. I'm not sure anyone uses that process anymore. (I'm familiar with Eastwood's cad plating paint kit. That won't work in my situation.) Does anyone have any bright ideas? Concours season starts in September. Thoughts will be very appreciated.

 

unless you must have the original finish (which wasn't pretty anyway), I sent mine to Jet-Hot coatings and they treated it with their "sterling" coating which reduces the surface temperature of anything coated with it. (it's a mix of ceramic and silver). Not cheap but mine has been on for 12 years now and it still looks fine. the sterling finish looks duller than chrome, (it is not meant to look like chrome). The coating is applied inside and outside of any part, particularly exhaust parts; I also had the "Y" pipe, the over-the-axle pipes, and the transmission-to-y-pipe clamp coated, the coating reduces the temperature of the exhaust parts, no more hot driver's side floor.

I understand that's not the answer you want, but it definitely is a bright idea :-))

 

Agreed on the ceramic coating.

FWIW, I never lost any points for having the ceramic coating. Different judges notice different things, of course.

Cheers
DD

 

that's because normally they don't bring a creeper to the show to inspect under cars :-))

 

Doug - Damn your engine looks great. I haven't lost any points because of the condition. It's just not perfect and, as you mentioned, different judges look at different things. I got 4 out of 5 100-point judging sheets last season. I'm not about to retire the car just yet.
Jose - I will look into the ceramic coating. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

is this a 2 point car?

 

here's a 5 pointer car

 

2 points, 5 points, doesn't matter. They're Jaguars!!

 

But they SHOULD notice, as the manifold heat shield is on top, right out there "in front of god and everybody" :-)

Cheers
DD

 

Thanks :-). Wish I still had that car.



I can see why: it's bee-you-tee-ful !

Cheers
DD

 

That is one helluva nice car you have there !! I'll have to get out and clean up my engine bay now. When it stops raining, that is.

 

Doug, is it just two bolts to remove the shield? Also a bit worried for they are pretty rusted. And advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

I'm not Doug but there is the giant bolt, the 13mm bolt AND there is a bracket on the bottom left side of the heat shield.
That bracket and its bolt has two nuts, one behind, one in front.

I went to ACE Hardware and found a match in polished stainless steel for the 13mm bolt on top.
The giant bolt I just painted it in gunmetal grey.

spray rust blaster on the bolts for a few days before attempting removal. When reinstalling them, apply anti-seize paste to the threads

 

Thanks for your response. I do see the big bolt to the right and a smaller one to the left. The two smaller ones I do not see. Could you provide a picture of them? Much appreciated.

 

I am having trouble uploading pictures from my phone.

Look at the bottom edge of the shield, towards the left side, There is a thick rubber hose clamped to the shield, the hose is coming from the air valve. The clamp must be separated from the shield and then the shield is freed.
you'll need a 11mm open wrench, and a small ratchet with an 11mm socket to loosen the clamp's bolt and nut. Then you can undo the 13mm bolt on top and the large bolt needs a 22mm socket with a large ratchet and extension.
I used stainless steel washers under the top bolts on reassembly to avoid scratching the Jet Hot Sterling coating with the bolt heads.

 

Not having one off the vehicle to inspect, are the heat shields a single layer of metal? If you are not concerned with it being concourse, could it be chrome plated? How well would chrome stand up to the heat though? A Jet Hot ceramic coating is also an option.

 

Thanks for your reply. I will look closer and get the bolts sprayed for removal. Would love to see pics of you engine bay.

 

haaa! my engine compartment is dirty, not like Doug's car. It is intact though, complete with Delco air pump !! (the one that everyone removes). It starts and runs smooth, idles stable.

I wonder if anyone else is having trouble uploading images to these posts, has anything changed ??

I used to be able to insert images from my phone, then I could only do it through my laptop. And my laptop is dead after a recent overseas trip, I think the inspection passed it thru X rays or something was done to it, it refuses to start.

As soon as I resolve this, I will add a photo of my '84 engine.

 

Thanks. Looking forward to it. I usually use Jag lovers so this is all new to me.

 

TO ADMIN:
trying to upload pictures from my phone:
.I click on MANAGE ATTACHMENTS,
(a new window opens up)

I click on FROM DEVICE.
(my images are shown)

I check mark image and click on SELECT

I don't get the UPLOAD box or see the image.
system returns me to REPLY window.

Is it my phone settings ??
Thanks.