Daim
It all looks terrific. Great stuff. As for the paint, is it flaking or just not drying completely ? Just in case you were not aware, most of the heatproof paints need to get hot before the paint sets properly. Maybe 30 mins in the cooker at 150°C will do it?

Greg

 

Hi Greg,

cheers for the compliments.

The paint is flaking off as we speak. As it seems, the manufacturer of the aluminium base coat states, that it isn't ideal for the purpose it was intended for... And that only when looking on their site.

So, a new try in sandblasting... What is worrying me: the right bank cover is slightly warped. That would possibly explain the amount of oil leaking from the rear of that bank. Is there any chance of getting it straight again? Has anyone tried that? The head is totally flat... Not a buckle or twist in it at all...

And something even better: I thought I lost a washer in the 1A cylinder. Bought an endoscope and stuffed it in through the spark plug opening: nothing there! *phew* I saw myself taking the head off...

 

Daim
0.1 of a mm along the length of the cover? If so the gasket will sort that, and they will 'give' this much when tightened, anyway. The cam covers are cast, and can crack, so machining them flat would be a problem, as fixing them down well enough to machine them accurately might well crack them!

Or you can hit the UK breakers and buy another, but honestly I doubt they will be any better. Good news on the washer. A "gypsy's kiss" to warn you to be careful and stuff all holes!

I say forget the undercoat, the covers do not need it. A couple of coats of the High temp paint instead?

Greg

 

The washer was lost whilst removing the intake manifold... But €17 later for an endoscope mated to my tablet comptur and all was best

I think the difference will easily disappear like that. Gaskets are already here... Just got to get the covers sorted

I was thinking of even buying some new covers, as DMG have them for something like £61/piece. But on the other hand, original parts do seem better...

Regarding the undercoat: I'm thinking the same. The lid (decided to do it red instead of black) has no problem. I think it is just the paint itself. As I used the same undercoat for that...

 

Whilst cleaning my "parts bin" (the area under my Jag ) up, I noticed a little symbol of British Imperialism



Even though the car was made 5 years after privatisation, I find it a little symbol that British Leyland wasn't as dead as expected

 

Daim, I don't drive an XJS, and I have no intention of doing to my car what all you're doing to yours, but I'm Thoroughly enjoying watching you work!

It's a Pleasure!
(';')

 

Sooooo... €5 of a tip later, my valve covers have been sandblasted - again - and after talking to a friendly car spray expert, he gave me a list of products he uses himself. Bought them and have already applied the basecoat to the covers. I guess they should be dry (4h rest/dry phase). Then the black spray will be added and backed in the oven at around 160 degrees C. So I guess this time it will work better At least I hope so! Lets see what the weekend brings. Either new looking valve covers and a sealed engine again OR an angry Damien

 

After removing my fuel pressure regulators, I noticed both regulator mounting brackets were badly corroded. The A-bank side badly deformed at the same time. So I ordered two new parts. At only €3/piece from my 'local' Jaguar dealer, I thought it was best to do so. Plus some gaskets I had lost somewhere between the heatshields and co I just love how edonomical the prices from Jag are for these most beautiful of all cars...

My valve covers seems to be keeping and holding the paint so far. So far so good! Should be dry in the morning. I'll apply another coat then, let that dry and then bake it all in the oven. If that all works out, they'll be going on the engine again and it should slowly start to look better again fingers crossed!

 

Daim,
Thanks for taking these outstanding pics and sharing your progress. It's greatly appreciated. I've just bought a XJ V12 and will be using these pics as a reference for seeing how parts sit in a real-world engine.

I'm no expert in paint, but the professional painters I've used for my motorcycle engines, etc have always remarked that the primer needs to be compatible with the topcoat and mixing brands of primer and paint is not something they'd ever do because the manufacturer chemistry is designed to work together. HTH.

 

I'm finally so far that the vave covers are in place again The paint didn't hold long so I had them blasted again and now they look like new. The red oil lid gives it all a nice little touch. I like the results!


























I am satisfied! Now just to get the intakes pretty, new rubbers, wires, hoses, and co and the engine should run like a brand new engine again! No rumbles or so

 

Couldn't resist having a look at the covers this morning before heading to work. Beautifully clean and tidy there. Now just got to do something about that wiring... Shabby looking...

 

Pretty Parts!!
(';')

 

Cheers. She's getting there slowly again...

 

Started cleaning the V-section out today. I found some acorns, some barley, hay and a couple of egg shell fragments.

Looks cleaner now, right?

Bad before picture:


After:

 

Still cleaning parts...

 

hi
daim, where did the new ignition switch surround come from please

 

SNG... Or Jag. Partsnumber: DAC317, price around €30 (just as a reference).

 

hi daim
have you got a better number than that as its not a jaguar part no with 3 numerals

 

its DAC3170 ,
priced at £19.95 plus postage and plus VAT ( just under £30 posted )


that number is a valid number, but has been superseded on the JDHT ,

only place to get one now is SNG

BB

 

Forgot the 0 at the end...