Parts sanding & spraying

Last saturday I brought some parts away to get these properly sanded and resprayed. As you can see these items are in a very poor state. I have no intention to make my car in a concour state but still like to get it nicely put together. Besides these parts are very visible in the engine bay. Hence I would like to have this professionally done rather than doing a bit of sanding myself and spraying with a can.

I do happen to know a company nearby who will get this done: https://www.vocor.nl/ They are only a 5 min drive from where my car is located. When bringing these parts they were interested for which car it was. Once I told them it was for a XJS they were quite enthustiac. It turns out they had some Jags in their workshop so I got a little tour. Nice!

I still wasn't sure what kind of black paint had to be applied; matt, satin or gloss. So for this I made a FB posting and got some interesting feedback:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/4185237245/permalink/10156878779562246/

So all parts will become black with satin finish. Only the bleedpipe will be done in grey satin. Due to the current workload it will take them up about 2 weeks. Which is fine because I still need to get my new waterhoses. Plus I hope to source a refurbished aircopump meanwhile ...

Veikl : the biggest online archive of automobile documents

Another nice online vault with cool car documents, including the XJS:

https://www.veikl.com/documents/jaguar/xjs?Page=1&PageSize=25&Sort=2

Auto Classics : Jaguar XJS Buying Guide

Another buying guide:

https://www.autoclassics.com/posts/buyer-guides/jaguar-xjs-buying-guide

I read this interesting remark in this article:

"The smoother Model 400 three-speed General Motors unit (fitted from 1977) and four-speed GM400 (from 1993-on) can often produce a knocking noise from the gearbox mount, a common problem after the spring holding the gearbox in place collapses. "

Perhaps it's the same issue "knocking noise" I'm hearing as well? I tend to believe it might be related to the U-joints:

https://erwinxjs.blogspot.com/2017/04/u-joint-diagnostics-propshaft-xjs.html

https://erwinxjs.blogspot.com/2017/04/u-joints-propshaft-replacement-attempt_29.html

Clearly I first need to build up the car before looking into this again, sigh.

Smooth

Thought this was a funny advert - being Dutch after all. It's only a wink to Jaguar - and not XJS related. Have to admit, I like this Daf Coupe though. Italian design (Michelotti) And the transmission is worldfamous. And recently I found out that one of the DAF co-founders was once a Ferrari 400 Automatic owner as well (http://erwin400.blogspot.com/2018/11/for-sale-nl-ferrari-400-automatic.html).  

I'm back! - The build up - part 1 - spark plugs, thermostat, alternator and waterpump

It has been a while! And I have been surprised to see that my blog still got many visitors globally during my absence. Judging on the stats it seems like the majority does like the "technical" blog updates. Reason for my absence is due to a variety of things on which I will not bother you. Now I finally have a bit more time on my side I want to get the XJS roadworthy again. So last week I made the first order with SNG Barratt for some parts to build it up again. Last time I checked they did not had the refurbished waterpump on stock. This time around they ran out of the complete hosekit. So now I have to wait till mid January untill they are on stock again. Which is okayish as I still need to have some parts sandblasted and powdercoated. So earlier this week the parts arrived under our Christmas tree.

And today I made a start. In fact last week I wanted to started already with new spark plugs so I went to the local carshop. Turns out these were not available and rarely used. So I had these included in my SNG Barrat order.

These are Denso T22EP-U, part nr EBC4021

It makes sense to replace them now, mostly because the aircopump is removed, so the front ones are easy accessible.

And they look a bit rusty now as well.

But on closer inspection it seems like the new spark plug is slightly longer on the ignition part, sorry, it's not really visible on the photo. The old spark plug is a NGK R BR7EF.

So I checked on the Denso website and found out a different spark plug is being used for the 1st HE model (1982-1985).

http://www.globaldenso.com/cgi-bin/global/plug/au/4w/plug.cgi?action=search&filename=4w-29.txt

Effectively the only difference is in the Iridium power T20 vs T22

XJ-S	5.3L		HE V12	1982.1	1985.1	T20EP-U/T20EPR-U	IT20	VT20	0.8
XJ-S	5.3L		HE V12	1986	1999.9	T22EP-U	IT22	-	0.8

Apart from that no other differences. Still I'm unsure about the correct length. The NGK is slightly shorter though. Need to look into this later. For now I parked this job.

So on to the next job, replacing the thermostat. Part nr EBC3576 and a new gasket with Part nr C33281.

The old one definately needs replacement. It's a relative cheap item and makes sense to replace it now since it's easily accessible. On closer inspection it no longer closes properly. For demonstrating purposes I put it on top of the white box. You now can see clearly through it. The white inner circle at the plunger is clearly visible. So good choice to have it replaced:

The old thermostat is making using of some kind of plastic floater on the air bleed hole.

While the newer version is having a small ball clamped in a holder.

And just another photo for comparison.

The location of the Thermostat holder

The housing removed and cleaned off the old gasket

And putting the new thermostat in. Note that the airbleeding hole needs to be on top. The Thermostat is also marked with "TOP". Click the picture to enlarge:

Another photo with more distance

New gasket and adding the housing back (of course, cleaned and sanded):

This was a very easy task and very rewarding.

Next item is putting the revised altenator back on.
(see blog https://erwinxjs.blogspot.com/2018/06/alternator.html).
Another simple task with only 2 bolts and 2 wires to connect up.

And adding the new belt. I figure this must be quite an expensive job is this one snaps as it requires all other belts to be removed first. Must be a nasty job. But in my case all is open and easy accessible.
Using the tensioner to firm it up. Not sure what is an appropiate measure for the right tension on the belt. Hope it's fine though.

Next job is placing the new waterpump. Again a clever job to do now as all is open. Besides I noticed a very slight movement meaning a potential bearing issue coming up. If not then I consider it preventive maintenance.

Old and new, front side:

Old and new, rear side:

Removing old gasket,dirt and the cleaned it with sandpaper:

And putting the new waterpump in place. I did very little cleaning on the front side of the engine, it was almost entirely black/greasy. This shiny new pump looks a bit out of place now. But once all other parts are build up it's likely hardly visibile though.

That's it for today. I still need to sort out the new aircopump. get some parts sandblasted and powdercoated, order some other parts I overlooked. and still need to do some paint spraying. Hopefully that can all be arranged in the coming 2 or 3 weeks. Fingers crossed.

motor sport magazine : Jaguar XJS

I stumbled upon this magazine archive. And it holds quite a few XJS related articles, so that will keep you busy untill I pick up my activities again:

https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/search/xjs

I have to say they made quite a job of it. The articles are available in scans (click and then double click to enlarge it) but they also converted them in clear text which makes the reading quite easy.

Engine bay treatment

Holiday season is over and temperatures are becoming normal again. Still my weekends are occupied with other stuff. But today I had a little spare time. Even though I have decided not to do any cleaning in the engine bay I want to preserve it as good as possible. One part of the chassis frame had no longer paint and had very little surface corrossion. So I sanded it and sprayed it with zinkspray. You can see I nevertheless also cleaned a small part of the engine bay though with thinner. What a difference it makes. On that spot the coolant reservoir is placed so it will not be visible once mounted.

Furthermore I had discovered another nasty rustspot on the other side of the engine bay. I could scratch off the top layer (Lucky it was double layered):

 I further smoothened it with a grinder:

And then painted it with Hammerite

By now I have also used filler and smoothened the surface (sorry, forgot to take a photo). So now both spots can be sprayed. For this I have already the Original paint made:

I had made some more pictures of this process but I lost the photo's somehow. It's nice to see all these little grams of different paint colors makes up the final color. In total 50 ml was made.

I think I will buy a little airbrush pistol to have it sprayed nicely.

Furthermore I had already purchased a blasting pistol and blasting sand to remove the paint of the other rusty parts (fanhouse, coolant reservoir, etc):

 I'm not entirely happy with the end result.

So I might consider to bring the parts away and have it properly done and also have it black powdercoated. That's it for now.

Advert : Supercat. The new XJS HE

I don't recall seeing this one before. So just adding it here for my records

Why storing a car for decades won't always earn you a fortune

Yeah yeah, I'm still around but busy with other things.

Thought this was an interesting to share:

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-5862055/Jaguar-XJS-preserved-28-years-worth-half-new.html

Alternator

As per older blogs http://erwinxjs.blogspot.com/2018/05/front-dismantling-part-iii.html and http://erwinxjs.blogspot.com/2018/05/condensoraircopump-alternator-and.html

I also decided to have the alternator removed to get it refurbished. Which they did against a very good price: € 54,- . For an additional € 50,- they could make the outside shiny again and make it look new. I figured that a blinking altnerator would be to much and hardly noticeable either. It would mean the rest of the engine and the engine bay would require a complete uplift. By now I have decided to do limited cleaning only.

Yesterday I picked it up and had a littlle chat with the owner of the shop. A very nice guy who informed me about it's history. In essence he mostly deals with larger parties like the Dutch ANWB (UK equivalent AA). He has thousands of altenators on stock. Clearly he's a real crack and specialized in alternators and startmotors only.

Just 2 photo's on the entrance of the shop:

Replaced carbon brush which was still reasonably ok

Two bearings were replaced, which was a good thing as they were becoming noisy. This one was very greasy so likely becoming problematic.

And also the pulley got replaced with a new one not sure why though but apparently it was not good according to him. Perfect.

Furthermore I was informed the voltage regulator had already been replaced in the past. So all is good to go and should last for many more years.

Hopefully I have some spare time this week to mount it. As coming weekend I'm again fully booked.

Also the returned condensor seems to be faulty again, the connector pipe is again bend in the wrong direction. But less severe as last time. I will keep it and will bend it gently in the right direction.

And last but not least I compiled the shopping list on SNG Barratt. But the major part I need is currently not on stock. It's the waterpump, I decided to buy a complete new kit rather then messing around myself. So I will await a little longer with placing the order. Besides I have not much time either. To be continued.

Jaguar XJS Monaco by Paul Bailey (PBB design)

I just came across this article. Another wicked conversion I was unaware off.

https://klassiekerplein.nl/Showroom/Jaguar--XJS-PBB-Monaco

condensor,aircopump, alternator and thermostat

Yes, a small update again. Not much happened lately due to a small holiday break and other priorities. In any case this weekend I returned the condensor, see blog:

http://erwinxjs.blogspot.nl/2018/05/front-dismantling-part-ii.html

I didn't want to take the risk with bending, so I returned it under warranty. Hopefully they will ship a correct one back (I hope it's a one off and not a complete batch). All in all a lot of hassle to get this arranged but nevertheless good service from the selling company.

I also had another look at the airco pump and I will write an email to a company for further details regarding diagnostics/refurbishing/replacement : http://www.deautoaircospecialist.nl/  They offer refurbished replacements as well (apparently via a small Danish company).

http://www.deautoaircospecialist.nl/onderdelen/compressor/ruilcompressoren/

http://www.deautoaircospecialist.nl/onderdelen/compressor/revisie/

I had already made contact with another company that can offer a replacement for a Harrison A6. They came up with a good price of € 286,- incl. VAT. It's a refurbished one though. They informed me it does come with a test report and 2 year warranty. They get them via www.elstock.dk/da/shop/  (yes, a Danish company!)  And for € 150,- they will even install it and refilling. That's a very good deal.

I'm also taking with me the Alternator (Dynamo) to bring it to a refurbishment shop: http://www.startersendynamos.nl/ I will call them tomorrow to find out the possibilities. If all goes well I might deliver it on my way back home since it's mostly en route.

And today I also made a small effort to get the thermostat removed as I will get that renewed as well since all is now open and easy accessible.