I know that some V12's came with Engine Covers. Which models/years had them?

I want to find a few and fit them to my '89 and '90 XJS.

Thank you!

Mark

 

6.0 liter had them and they will not fit the 5.3 liter IIRC not even by modifying them.

 

I know I will probably have to change the AC compressor, fabricate some mounts and move things around but I'm sure I can make it fit.

After all, I have a hammer, vice-grips and a dull knife. How hard can it be?

Mark

 

A different fuel rail, different position of the coils, a different cruise control actuator and other bits and bobs will make it hard to fit. I also think it makes the engine look kind of 'BMW'like'...

 

I think the capstan is different too.

 

Hey, don't insult my car!

 

The cover holds the heat in the vee longer, taking an even greater toll on spark plug wires, vacuum hoses injectors & hoses, cruise control bellows, etc. You're better off without it.
If you change to the Sanden A/C compressor, you'll also have to replace your hood with one from a facelift car. Because of the way the Sanden is mounted, the pulley/clutch wont clear the earlier hood.

 

JZ
I have a car with the earlier non-bulge hood, and I swapped out the OEM Harrison compressor for a Sanden, and it fits with more clearance than the OEM one did.

The bulge hood was originally made in the early 1980s in order to get the inline 6 engine into the car. Then Ford standardised on that type for obvious cost reasons, and also on later model V12s used the bulge to accommodate cold air intake ducts above the radtop panel.
Greg

 

That's interesting Greg. A member of another forum did the same thing, but, he said that he was forced to use the later hood due to clearance issues. I wonder what the differences were between his installation and yours.

 

More then likely when he changed compressors he also switched to 134a and the connections are the reason for using the 6 cylinder hood. Kirby alludes to that fact in the book does he not, something about the 134a connecters sticking up to high and hitting the hood that does not have the bulge that the hood on the 6 cylinder cars has.

 

Hi Greg,

Can you tell me the part number of the Sanden compressor you used?
Does it run R134a?

Thanks!

Mark

 

Safari,

Here is a '92, on Craigslist, with the 6.0 V12 cover fitted on the 5.3 V12...also has the'94+ rear bumper fitted.....spoke with the guy and he thought the PO had to fit the 6.0 air intake manifolds...so can be done...I guess !

https://miami.craigslist.org/brw/cto/4702463724.html

Rob.
2006 X Type Sport Wagon.
1987 XJ6 Daily driver.

 

That's very interesting, definitely 5.3 capstan, different A/C compressor and 6.0 intakes manifolds, air boxes in intake hoses.

 

Mark
The compressor runs R134a. The model number is U 4646. Any sort of filling/charging fitting can be fixed to the compressor, including the modern sort that click onto to the latest sort of aircon machines - mine has these.

Works far better than the old one used to. Always dangerous to disagree with the Great Palm, but I do not think the "special fittings are required so you have to have the bulge bonnet" story is true!

Greg

 

Damn. You guys are gonna force me to take some automotive mechanic courses at the local community college.

The look is a bit BMW E38 V8 / V12 ish, but the Jag engine bay needs it. It's an ugly (if awe-inspiring) mess in there without the covers.

 

I am with JZ on this one. The cover just makes a hot V hotter! Much better to bling up the cam covers and the HT leads and polish/shotblast everything like the Daim has shown how!

Greg.

 

I can vouch for it being untrue. Mine uses the original compressor and is converted to R-134A and my conversion fittings stick up proud yet there is no issue with my original 86 bonnet plus my motor mounts are fine.

 

Yep. When done right, and the engine is tidied up a bit, the 5.3l can look stunning...
ed up the blasted parts today. Beautiful! Lovely job!

Before:



After:

 

Look in the archives for British Car Forum in the Jag section. I remember seeing a post where a guy had one of the shops that used either a water jet saw or a computerized laser cut a cover from thin stainless steel with a leaper emblem.

 

The XJS is a magnificent machine, and the V12 is the heart and soul of this mechanized beast. While I understand, and, respect the desire of some people to conceal that fact, and, to concentrate on it's refinement & isolation, I prefer to lay bare that soul, and reveal it to all who would see.

Although I still have quite a bit of work to do in organizing wires and hoses, I like this much better than an engine cover


Just my