Restorations & Upgrades

$2K, pulled from a Dairy Barn. We managed to get it off the Flatbed and up the hill to the garage. Climbed the hill at 5 MPH, zero power, I don't think its running on more than 6 of the 12 cylinders. Mouse nests in engine bay. Fuel pump on a switch from Home Depot. Holes in floor, hole in trunk, major rust above both wheels and one side of the left back panel. It's going to be a project.

But its a 5.3L V12 Jaaaaaaag!

Manufactured March 1990, Jaguar Cars Ltd, Coventry England. Paint code HEN, Trim AFW. A nice piece of history.

At first look, this appears to be one of the most complex Engines you could work on. As you get into it, its not too bad.

Wiring has had a few mouse encounters

We started with Fuel. New Filter, Check Pump !

New fuel regulators

Fuel pressure looks good !

Brought in reinforcements to review state of interior

Vacuum hoses needed attention

Lucas electronics. This will be fun.

Distributor Vacuum advance not connected, needs cleaning .. but not too bad. New Cap and HT Leads next.

New Plugs, New Leads, Correct firing order (yup, it was wrong). Car only running on 6 Cylinders still ...

Order of Firing!

We knew it was only firing on 6 - so started checking out the ECU

Suspect our Coil is not providing a great spark - time to upgrade

Example of the wiring we inherited

Amplifier that takes the signal from the bottom of the distributor and triggers the spark.

Great connectors

Ignition amplifier module opened up on the kitchen table - being rebuilt - just a generic component in a Lucas box!

NOAD Lights told me only 6 of the 12 cylinders had a spark. Removing the compressor shows frayed/chewed cables on the wiring harness ... we need a new harness!

Bound with heat proof cover

Discovered 6 Injectors get power when ignition is ON and 6 get power when ignition is off. Easy fix - but who wired this Jag?

Fuel pump was on a manual switch. Determined that the fuel live was not live when ignition was on. Fixed the connection, fuel pump turns on and primes as designed!

Rear brakes are seized - this is what we were dealing with underneath. Inboard brakes....

ABS was not working. Removed master cylinder, opened up the ABS module to test each one of these solenoids. One was faulty. Sourced replacement and soldered each of these in the correct order.

Bench bleeding the master cylinder and ABS module on the workbench. We re-fitted and tried to bleed rear brakes - still completely seized.

Under the rear end - inspecting before dropping the subframe to replace brake calipers.

Subframe off !

Rear subframe out - new brake calipers visible on the inboard brakes. Nothing is straight forward .... needed new fixings and had to make brake lines with bulb flares.

Full view of the rear subframe on the garage floor with new calipers fitted

Reinforcements helping to maneuver the subframe back under the car on jack stands

Slowly maneuvering subframe back into place before jacking up.

Subframe back in the car, on jack stands

Under the rear again with wheels off - finishing up the subframe reinstall

Another component that is custom to the JAG and needs to be ordered . . .

Close up of the engine breather without Cap. Cleaned filter, waiting on new Cap.

Engine bay looking tidier with new blue hoses and cleaned up wiring

New Tires needed ASAP. These are dangerous.

Side profile of the XJS outside, hood up, looking great in British Racing Green. New tires on!

New headlight installed

Driving! 12 Cylinders and Brakes.

Steering Rack spraying fluid all over the driveway on full lock... next up.... steering !

This was the washer causing the leak … replaced. Took many hours to get the rack back in - but the problem is fixed !

This is not good news …. we had it driving then its blowing Smoke from right bank. I hope its not the head gasket .... Jaaag - One step forward... one step back..

Confirmed head gasket. Coolant in ONE cylinder after sitting over night.

Tear down started. Going to take the opportunity to remove the air pump and lines as it adds little value. Need to wait for Head Removal tool from Jaguar Preservation before we move forward.

Valve cover off, cam shaft out, ready for big lift !