Just so nobody thinks I've been sitting on my hands the last few months I thought I'd post some updates. Since the fundamentals of the engine swap are done I thought I'd start a new thread with updates on the smaller aspects of my project

Here's the thread covering the conversion aspect:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...roject-142259/

Since the last postings I have driven the car enough to satisfy myself that the project was (more than) fundamentally successful and therefore felt it was worthwhile to continue on with other needed repairs

Sorry in advance for the lousy cell phone pics that you'll be seeing. Its a miracle that I took any pics at all; I usually forget

In reality most of what I'm doing now has been seen and discussed many times but, still, might be of interest...perhaps to newbies who haven't yet "been there and done that".

Watch this space !

Cheers
DD

 

Differential replace and rear brake overhaul.

Removed the rear cage for the usual stuff: new brakes discs, pads, rebuilt calipers, flex hose, handbrake caliper repair. Also replaced the 2.88 differential with a rebuilt 3.31 limited slip unit.

As you can see it didn't 'restore' the rear cage....just a good rudimentary cleaning.

Had to replace two wishbone bearings, #18 in this illustration. All the other wishbone bearings were in fine shape.

Wishbones and Mounting-Rear - Parts For Series III Saloon | Jaguar Classic Parts UK

Replaced the seals for the wishbone bearings. Halfshaft U-joints were all in fine shape so I left them alone.

(One big aspect of this project is, for once in my life, avoiding 'mission creep'....getting carried away with "while you're at it" replacements. I'm trying to be very selective in this regard so as to stay on budget.)

The shocks are near-new KYBs that came with the car. These wouldn't be my first choice but they seem to work well enough for now. Replacing them at this point would mean spending money that is better spent elsewhere.

The hub bearings are smooth and quiet, and no free play. Left them as-is. The cage "vee mounts" show no signs of delaminating (or even cracking) so they were not replaced.

I also overhauled the front brakes and suspension....all the usual stuff there as well. However, the PO already replaced the rack bushings and they were still in good shape and left as-is, as were outer tie rod ends and, again, the KYB shocks. Front wheel bearings were in good shape and re-used. The large round subframe bushings were in bad shape and replaced but the rear subframe mounts still looked good and left untouched

Anyhow, the rear cage is reinstalled, needing only finish up: connect drive shaft, brake hose, exhaust, etc

More later !

Cheers
DD

 

Dashboard replacement:

Nothing remarkable here but I thought those not familiar with the job might like seeing the pics. However, the task is nowhere near as intensive or dramatic as the pics might suggest. It's rather straightforward, really.

One of the pics shows just how faded and 'blonde' the wood becomes over time, versus the rich darkness of the refinished dash

I went from the standard XJ6 dashboard to the VDP/upper line dashboard because I prefer the look of the flush mounted gauges...and the 'figuring' of the burl is a bit tighter and more attractive

Sharp eyed Series III owners might notice the V12 specific tach and speedometer

Cheers
DD

 

Rear anti roll bar

While the cage was out I installed a rear anti-roll bar from an XJS. This is fairly straightforward. The bar itself, the U-brackets to the body, and the end links are all right from an XJS. The brackets on the radius arms are from a Corvette ('63-82, about $7.00 each) welded in place. New end link bushings were installed (easy: just push 'em in with a bench vice) and new U-bracket bushings used as well.

The U-brackets are held in place with thru-bolts, as you can see. This part of the body is just sheet metal so .125" thick stiffening plates are used under the bolts on the inside of the car.

Some black caulking (seen in the pic) is used to ensure no water entry thru the bolt holes. You can also see that the bushings for the U-brackets didn't seat quite right....I'll have to reposition them jut a bit.

This area of the underbody has a large heat insulator panel...the kind that crumbles away if you so much as look at it angrily. I trimmed a large section away to install the bar. I have new, better material to fabricate a replacement.

Cheers
DD

 

very nice, be a shame to drive in the portland weather!

Nah, i bet it goin out in bad weather!!

 

You're right....which is my rationale for not spending (much) time or (any) money cleaning the IRS or any other underbody areas.

Cheers
DD

 

Doug:


Both the work and the pictures look pretty durn good to me. And, absolutely, of benefit to many to see what stuff looks like "out in the open".


That will surely be a greatly satisfying car to drive for you. whatever the weather.


It was raining lightly yesterday, but, I and Coco went to market anyway. And in the Jaguar. Ordinarily, my choice would have been my Jeep. Alas, my daughter has it.
Her Passat in the driveway!!! Conks out at inopportune times !!! Scares the be... outta her. Although, I taught her how to merely shift to N and crank it back up. No biggie? Well, yeah, a biggie to her....


The Jaguar wipers did their job. Did the Andrachuk park a couple of times!!!
Nice lady at the market complimented the car. she and I were loading the grub into our cars, side by side in a light sprinkle. Nice lady, but driving an mere Camry.


Carl

 

Nice job!!

 

A few pics. I'll try for better results next time !

Remaining tasks....

- cleaning and detailing
- new mufflers
- a/c recharge
- calibrate speedo for the 3.31 gears
- fuel odor in trunk
- new radio

Cheers
DD

 

A few more, including some small upgrades...besides the 7" headlights already shown above...such as polished sill plates, XJS/late Series III steering wheel, chrome speaker rings and seat adjuster bars, rear headrests, refinished "VDP" dashboard, and the rear reading lamps.

Cheers
DD

 

Looking good, well done.

 

Doug:


It gets better and better each time you post. One very nice car, and I'll bet it is satisfying to you.


1. Indeed, the dark burl is very elegant. I could do with that quite nicely. Will I swap?
Extremely unlikely.


2. The car just looks better on the Lattice wheels. Not that the Kents are homely. Bias, Guilty as charged. My car was in the driveway. I was in the midst of my "lumber jack" project. I sat on my porch for a break and a "refreshing adult beverage". The car in view. "durn, it sure looks great".


More tree chopping up for today. My neighbor's Magnolia dropped a fair sized branch in to my "jungle". As they are nice folks, I just freed it from the defunct ATT line and whacked it up for my green can. Tools on hand, why not....


Carl
Carl

 

Quicky update.

Finally decided it was time to get the car licensed and tagged....followed by it's first significant road test. I'm tickled to report that the 166 mile drive went smoothly....and didn't involve any steam, smoke, by-the-side-of-the-road phone calls, or tow trucks

The drive included 45 minutes stuck in gridlock metro traffic in 90ºF (32ºC) ambient temps. That's a fairly rigorous test of a V12 cooling system. The temp gauge went just one needle-width above normal....not even hot enough for the aux fan to kick in. I'm a bit chuffed about that. The cooling system is all original configuration, by the way. No changes made.... but of course I made sure everything was 100% up-to-snuff as part of the conversion process.

One problem did 'shake down'...which I'll describe later. For now it's off to work for me !

Cheers
DD

 

Congrats, Doug!
(';')

 

A couple things I meant to mention earlier....

First, I am very pleased with the steering/cornering of the car. The larger V12 front anti-roll bar with the XJS rear anti-roll bar is a very good combination. You can't 'toss' a car like this into corners but I did hit some curvy stuff at wayyy over the posted speeds and the car was commendably flat, balanced, and controlled. I'm sure adding the rear bar accounts for 90% of the improvement.

Next, the 3.31 differential (versus 2.88) really makes quite a difference in response and acceleration. Yes, it's a rather busy at highway speeds BUT the engine comes into the power band so much sooner that the acceleration for overtaking is very satisfying. No need to mash the throttle. A squeeze is all that's required and, whoosh, you're at the head of the pack....right where a V12 Jaguar belongs . Also, on closed throttle, the compression braking effect is quite pronounced. It caught me of guard at first.

Lastly (for now), after driving my Honda for so long....well....oh-my-gawd, what a treat to get back into "a real car" . There's that sure-footed, competent, comfortable, and cozy sense of well being that makes old Jags so unique.

Cheers
DD

 

"There's that sure-footed, competent, comfortable, and cozy sense of well being that makes old Jags so unique."

Well there is some signature line material right there :-)

Very satisying project by the sound of it, congratulations.

 

Well done mate......well done!

 

This happens to me every Spring when I first awaken Nix after driving that Sonata (or Wart) all Winter, and yes, it takes my by surprise. "NIX!! I'VE MISSED YOU SO!"
(';')

 

Well, in my case, it was in the reverse order. Jeep on "dead line" tail end up on ramps awaiting "tank surgery". Planets needed to align before that took place. Son has two spreads to keep up, an SO and a job. Plus his latest "project". A WWII Dodge weapons carrier conversion to a heavy duty fork lift.


Jaguar driving in the interim, not unwelcome, by any means. It purred. some sort of feline/mechanical satisfaction....


But, it was nice to take the Jeep out, first to the gas station and thence to an errand or two. It was rewarded with a thorough vacuum job inside and out. Leaves like to gather in the wiper well in front of the windshield. And, at the top of the hatch back lid.


Had to fix my shop vac to do that. No oomph!!! Solved. Coco wool in the hose. I used it in the house to "wool gather". The house vac just not quite as good at it.


Wonder what dear departed would've said about a garage thing in her house.....


Carl

 

Had the A/C charged up today. All's well; my A/C guy said that he had no problems; system held vacuum with no loss for 60 minutes. System blows "as cold as a well digger's ***" as granny used to say

As an aside he mentioned that this was the first Jag he had ever worked on that didn't have a Chevy V8. He was a bit intrigued by the V12....and a bit intimidated as well, which is the usual first reaction. Seeing the old A6 compressor made him feel a bit more at home, though .

Also the control side of the system works exactly as it should. A previous problem of the center vent not opening was simply a broken vacuum hose---EZ fix.

I must say that I'm relieved. I was dreading a leak, clackety compressor, or other problem with the refrigeration end of the system. And the control side working properly is a real bonus as diagnosis and repairs here can be difficult in some cases.

The fuel odor issue, noted in the list above, seems to have solved itself....at least for the time being. Strange.

Cheers
DD