The purpose for this page is simply to display the condition of my current project and progress toward rebuilding, reconditioning until this little lovely is driveable once more.
I acquired this vehicle for the paltry sum of $200.00 USD in it's current state. It has not been licensed for at least three years, last tags expired April 1997.
This is my first Jaguar and probably my last, at my age, but I have always wished for the opportunity to own one of these magnificent "cats" and so here we are. My comments below are open to discussion from anyone knowledgeable or interested:
Doug G.
Journal
Many Jag Owners have pet names for their cars. This one is going to be Dahlia as in Black Dahlia. A beautiful lady of mystery.
Tuesday, July 30, 2002
I have had the pleasure of having a more or less
drivable XJ6 for about the last 3 months. I say more or less, since I have
learned I have major transmission problems requiring a swap or rebuild. I
am currently in the process of tackling that problem. And still have of
course the dreaded windshield rust common to the model to deal with and then
a repaint. Funds have been scarce of late so she sits most of the time. I
try to drive her about once a week just to keep things operating while I
wait for the solution to the transmission problem. Only have half of the upholstery done, seat bottoms front and back but not the vertical (squabs). I currently
resort to sheep skins for the front seat even though I have new leather
there, the back (squab) on both front seats needs repair but also the heat
issue here in Arizona, with burning your bottom on the black leather is a bit much.
Along with having to virtually replace just about everything under the hood,
we had to dismantle and replace such strange things as the hoses and metal
piping for the evaporation control system which had clogged up from non-use
sitting in our Arizona sun. Also had to remove and restore both fuel tanks
full of junk and one of which was leaking. Minor things along the way such
as fuel gauge floats etc., also cropped up. Then turn signals and head
light switch on the column. The list goes on and on.
If the above sounds slightly defeated, it is only because I am currently
experiencing some fiscal issues which prevent me from continuing to throw
more money at the problem. I live in an apartment complex and do not have
the luxury of a garage in which I can work on the car myself. Still, I did
replace the aforementioned windshield wiper and headlight/cruise control
switches myself one day. Had a fun time with the wiper switch, since the first one I installed was bad and I spent two days trouble shooting a non-existant problem including removing and replacing the drive motor. Also installed an after market radio with the help of a friend. Old radio was dead.
On the REALLY positive side I am absolutely enamored with the car. The joy
of driving this car is just amazing. I drove sports cars in my younger
days, MG's, TR3 and an Austin Healy and an American Motors "68" AMX before going
on to the larger sedans etc. The handling of the XJ6 is great and I just thoroughly enjoy driving her when I
can.
I currently subscribe to an e-mail list at http://www.jag-lovers.org/xjlovers/ for our car. I get a digest each day or sometimes twice, of the all the emails sent back and forth on the list. Many of the folks on
the list are of course died in the wool enthusiasts and are literally from
all over the world, with a great number of people just looking for help in
solving problems. Highly recommend this e-mail digest to any Jag owner who wants to learn more about his car. They also have lists for all other models as well.
Monday, October 22, 2001
Nearly had the car in my hands on Friday this past week. Thought we had things all working. Previous efforts involved cleaning fuel tanks, installing new Sump Filters. Also had to replace return valve on RH fuel tank which was not working and returning fuel to wrong tank. On the way to present car for AZ State Smog inspection, she started acting up and running rough. Failed smog because car would not run up to power for test. On the way back, blew a fuel return line from Gas Cooler. Stopped and towed back to garage. Replaced the short hose section which blew out, but car again not running properly. Supect may have picked up "junk" from fuel tank while running without the sump filters in place. Hopefully only fuel filter problem and not fuel pump which is new.
Thursday, September 27, 2001
We are nearly there. Dahlia is actually running and drivable on the road again, after an absence of over 4 years. Current status of investment is now at the $6500.00 mark and still no paint or body work. Oops, what is that saying be careful what you wish for. "A Free or nearly so Jaguar for me - WOW"
New engine is in and running just fine. Initial problems included replacing distributor rotor and cap. Replaced fuel change over switch and solenoid in boot (trunk). Still have serious "swoosh" problem in both tanks, and check valve appears to be working properly. Installed new dash in last couple of days. I pulled the dash from another car which was being parted out and in typical condition from major sun damage with severely cracked clear coat. Pictures of new finished wood here
New Dash.
I am rather
proud of this job, since I did it all myself, and most who have viewed this
refinish seem to like it. It is not typical in the respect that it does not have
the deep plastic look of the factory dash. I must admit with proper tools and
place in which to work, it could be done much better. I did it on a glass coffee
table in my living room of a 1 bedroom apartment. With the exception of initial
stripping of original plastic like finish, I did all other work. I paid a
professional furniture refinisher to strip the three pieces.
Thursday, March 29, 2001
There is now an engine about to be installed in my car.
Engine Pics
Finally after all this time we have an engine about to be mounted. Removed from an 85 XJ6 it is good shape and tests out well overall with leakdown etc.
Since my last update many things have been done to guide the way. Four brand new Michelin X1's in 215/70/R15 have been purchased and await mounting balancing etc.
Both front and back seating sections have been completely reupholstered in beautiful new black leather. They were done locally by a friend who has previously done this type of work, but now has his own shoe repair shop. Jessie, is a former business neighbor and friend. I wish I could recommend him to others, but he currently is not taking on jobs like this due to some ongoing family difficulties. We elected not to do the vertical portion or back sections of the seats since they appear at this time to be recoverable. They will get the full "Leatherique" treatment including a re-dye of some portions to cover some wear but no tears exist in these areas.
Carpet removable sections have been removed and shampooed professionally to bring them back to life. Portions of trim on passenger side carpet have been repaired to near new appearance.
Cracks in the dash board cap (the part the sun shines on) necessitate replacement of this part and salvage yard in California is supplying a crack free dash cap. The Arizona sun wreaks havoc on these parts of our cars.
We are finally moving ahead in this restoration and I am glad to see it happening. Currently have about $3,000 dollars in this car including cost of engine and installation. Missing parts and other components are going to run around another $1,000 it appears.
Items such as cracked fan jump out of nowwhere to cost money. Aftermarket Fan in Black costs $150.00, OEM from Jaguar Dealer $295.00, guess which one is going to be in the car?
Once the car is running and mechanically sound, the next major item will be removal of both front and back wind screens for rust treatment (Jaguar Rust Syndrome) and complete repaint in original Black.
October 13, 2000
The saga continues of the tales of woe regarding my missing cat. I say missing because I have owned this beautiful car or at least had possession of it since early in March of this year. Waiting four months for DPO to fork over title. The result of two 70 year olds getting a divorce. No further comment on that subject.
I originally anticipated having budget problems while trying to restore this car, thus I turned it over to my trusty and recommended Jag specialist of over 30 years with the comment "take your time", a comment in retrospect I probably should not have made. I doubt however in the long run I will regret it though, because he has assured me of and appears to be most meticulous in his work.
Thus far the engine and transmission have been pulled. Comments below regarding replacement engine failed to work out when delivered engine did not turn out to be as good as represented. Joe (the Jag specialist) began a search for a used engine and truly went through three more before finding one which would pass his standards. He actually bought the whole car, because the existing owner was too slow in pulling the engine. That engine has been torn down and replaced bottom bearings. Pulled the head because of small leak in head gasket as it turned out, although appeared to pass all leak down and compression tests. When last I saw the head, he was replacing and reseating valves "since it was out anyway".
Expected things to do are; (1) Drain and clean Gas Tanks, this car sat for 4 years. (2) Replace missing radio antenna and broken mirror. (3) Drain, service and replace seals in Transmission. (4) Steam Clean water jacket in replacement engine and replace soft plugs.
There are a myriad number of tasks left to do before I begin to think of this vehicle as a daily driver. They include replacing all four tires. I am having trouble in this area deciding on Michelin X1's, Pirelli or Dunlop. Comments from various parties all are good in either case. Currently leaning toward P4000 because I have always had good luck with Pirelli before even though a slightly softer tire, thus wear faster IMHO.
The upholstery is in bad shape, or least the seating portion. I have purchased and have waiting a full Litre of Leatherique which will I hope contribute in some small way to restoring the back sections, thus making replacement of the seating portion possible at a much lower cost. A full leather kit not including installation runs over $1200.00 USD for the two Front Seats ONLY. However that is geniune Connolly leather the original supplier to Jaguar I am given to understand.
First order of business is exterior. Paint is badly oxidized (Black) after 4 years without care in the Arizono sun. Probably will require a respray, but first intend to mechanically compound and then Zaino it. Failing that of course I will repaint the car.
Can not comment of remainder of interior at this point, it all depends on what it looks like after being detailed out.
Full inspection of brakes, suspension etc., is all included on the list.That is about it for now.
July 10, 2000
Finally got the news on the engine and it is all bad. PO ran the car out of oil (?). When we pulled the head, cylinder walls badly scored etc. Delivered a check for $1100.00 into the hands of my mechanic for an 86 engine with 24k original miles which will be torn down and inspected before installation which is another $700.00.
June 20, 2000
At last the title is in my hands and the car is in the local Jag Mechanics clutches.
Considering the comments terse as they are that the car was once run out of oil. We are pulling the engine and checking for what next step is. With virtually no history from PO to go with, it is like stumbling around in the dark. Probably be better off not knowing consider the abysmal condition of the cat.
March 24 2000.
Still waiting on title papers.
Notes
1. Engine Rebuild: Consulting with a local Jaguar Specialist tells me that he can not tell me much until he has his hands on the car in his shop. Since I am awaiting paperwork on the car, this has been delayed until clear title is in hand. He did indicate that valve job and bottom end parts and refit etc., and reassembly to running condition would be in the $1500. USD range if this engine is recoverable. If not a used engine with comparable repairs would run about $2600.00 installed and running.
2. Odometer reads: 27500 appears to have title says 84k miles.
3. Body: Appears solid with no major dents. Some rust about 2.5 inches long under driver side windscreen below the seal. Bubbly and probably badly scarred and will require some work to finish out. Rust on passenger side in rocker panel, but very little here.
4. Paint: appears poor and may not be original paint, but I am not yet knowledgeable enough to tell, but I will learn soon.
5. Interior: Seats on the sitting part front and back is irrecoverable and will require replacement. Back portions appear to be recoverable with some frayed leather on drivers side (left since in the US). Poor attention in past to leather work is simply abominable.
6. Glass: all intact except passenger side mirror which has a broken neck.
Common sense tells me I will spend about $4000.00 USD to
bring this car to the stage where I will be proud to be seen it and of course
then I will just continue spending money until the end. Which incidentally I
have vast experience in this area with sail boats of various sizes.