Hi guys,
Just throwing this out to mull over.
Cheap to me me is less than a case of beer. I love the advice and guidence I'm getting from everyone,and I'm sure all of us do. The help is priceless(note,not worthless). But when I'm told something is cheap to replace and I look for a price I'm usually momentarily shocked.
I know old(classic) cars and bikes cost money,I've been down this track many times. This is the second time I have done my research online(built a bike and got a little burned ),so usually I'm talking to the parts guy for guidence.
I know the value of parts and knowledge, but if some of you wiser(old blokes) could give us a heads up when something is going to sting the budget it would make it easier to deal with "her indoors"(see "The Minder") .
This car is a cheap project but since it is not a bike she is showing some interest. If it's going to cost half an arm I would like to know up front.
Apparently I have only 42% of the disposable income compared to a wage earner in 1970.

Many of us younger enthusiasts are on a more limited budget than in the 70/80s

Clarke

 

Clarke,

Good points made there.

I have always been on a very restricted $ can with any of the Jags since 1968.

Sometimes very frustrating.

My advantage is that I have always worked in the Spare Parts industry, and some of that with Jaguar as the Parts Manager.

The early Jags, MK7, S Type, MK10, MKIV, ALL had me thinking waaaaaaay outside the box constantly.

From a purest point of view the "Jaguar part" is always the right part, no arguement to a point. However, bear in mind that most spare parts are not unique to Jaguar. Remember Lucas, made for just about any Non-European car on the road, including our Ford, Holdens, Valiants, etc.

Some things I have found over the years for the S2/3 XJ-S cars are:
1) Power steer pump on the early cars is a Saginaw, used on Ford, Holden, Toyota, etc, and YES, it has Jaguar brackets, but swap them to tne replacement from any parts operation, and good to go.
2) Heater tap is easily replaced with the universal 5/8" vac tap from Falcon, early Commodore.
3) A/c compressor, is purely a GM Delco, same as HQ etc Holden. Easily replaced with a compact Sanden using the existing mounting bracket.
4) The Lucas relays are mostly replaceable with Bosch, Narva etc. Some attention to terminal layout is needed.
5) Wheel bearings etc are readily available from any good bearing supplier. Most are the same as Ford, some the same as early Holden. Simply get the numbers off the bearing and go shopping.
6) Coolant hoses, a PITA aftermarket, but for the early cars, they are available. I got all but 2 today for a S2 6cyl in our shop.
7) Brakes. Always available aftermarket, and cheap as.
8) X300 fuel pump is simply a Nippon Denso pump, such as used in Toyota. Mazda, etc etc, and cheap anywhere.
9) Early EFI jags, S3, XJ12, XJ-S use a Bosch pump that is the same as Commodore, Falcon, and many, many others, also cheap.

The list goes on, but I will cease for now.

I RARELY go to the dealer, or buy genuine. MY CHOICE, and NO disrespect to the dealer network is intended.

OK, time is consumed shopping and looking at all and sundry many times to establish suitability, but that is how I work.

Example. I need heater taps for the 2 S Types, and $400+ each, NO WAY. Found a Ford # Number, and a Bosch # number, waiting for replies now, at 1/4 price.

On the earlier cars, most items are repairable. Simply coz the item can be dismantled to do this. The newer cars same items are mostly sealed, and if you do get it apart, reassembly is near impossible.

If something comes to mind, ask away, most of us "oldies" have probably repaired/replaced it at some time. Remembering will be the challenge in some cases.

 

Heh heh, too true. Details fade a bit....and I work on a wide variety of cars which occassionally muddles my memory.

As for keeping old Jags roadworthy on the cheap, I'm with you all the way. A few years ago I was much more 'flush' than I am now. Nowadays I am more cautious and selective about how the Jag-money is spent.

I'm planning on beginning my Ser III project this year and my goal is to end up with a fantastic car at modest expense. Nowdays I have more time than money so I'll be using more of the former and less of the latter.

One luxury I won't have, and one that cost me dearly in the past, is unnecessary "while I'm at it" replacements. Some opportunities make too much sense to skip over but, still, I plan on being much more discriminating.


Cheers
DD

 

Thanks for the replys. I am also time rich and financially limited. Therefore spend a lot of time repairing rather than replacing,It's amazing what makes stuff work when you can't always buy new bits. And preventative maintenance is only done when money allows as I have 5 registered vehicles to keep running. My work mates hassle me saying I have a vehicle for each day of the week.
A couple of questions to ask now

1.Does $115 sound reasonable for 2 needles and jets for HS8's? that is from a local carby specialist in Brisbane,and was recommended by a couple of friends. Or is there somewhere else like SU Midel or Jagdaim I should try.

2.Check out how much this place wants for one tail light. I got all lights,front and rear,grill,bonnet ornament, window winders,wipers,washer panel thingy and washer motor,dash mat,all gauges and switches,indicator switch and bumpers for $200. Had to strip the parts myself at a wrecking yard. All I could carry out in one go.
Jaguar XJ6 Series 1 2 Sedan 1969 1979 Left Side Tail Light Lucas STD 68 | eBay

3. Does a series 2 water pump fit a series 1? I can get one for $40 or less. Is it worth buying just for a spare,or are they easy to come by at a good price.
Jaguar XJ6 Water Pump | Other Parts & Accessories | Gumtree Australia Brisbane South West - Yeronga | 1041109489

 

Clarke,

As for #1 above.

I would ring Midel and JagDaim??, and get comparisons, and obviously allow postage to the bottom line. Not sure Bill/Doug and the crew keep SU bits, but I may be wrong.

It has been a while since I got jets etc from Midel, but a middle man is always a middle man, and he/she is in business for the $$.

My last dealings was for a 1948 Rover P3 fuel pump, +ve earth, and they were cheaper by a long country mile, and they had it IN stock, so no waiting.

Your price sounds a tad high, but prices do change, and always for the upper, sadly.

 

Like you Grant, I rarely go to a dealer or buy genuine. I have had my Jeep since the 90's and have never set foot in a Jeep dealer(except to drop off a mate having his Wrangler serviced).
I phoned the Mazda dealer to see how much to replace battery in the key,$40 each. Five minutes on youtube and $4 at Dick Smiths for a twin pack of batterys ,both keys done. All I wanted to know was how to open the key to put in the battery, the service guy couldn't tell me. Said it was a Dealer service only item. A toothpick in the right place had it open in about 20 seconds.
If the dealer said $10 to replace battery,I may have got him to do two. But $80 for two,I would rather stick the key in the keyhole and turn it instead of pushing a button.

 

I always check parts costs at the dealer first to get a ball park figure.

Sometimes, even with Jaguar, the dealer is the cheapest.

Graham

 

Would a Jaguar dealer still carry parts for a Series 1. I know Honda and Suzuki dealers have parts for 80's and some 70's models, but Kawasaki and Yamaha are harder to get unless they have NOS.

 

I agree with Graham.

I do check on occasions, and in fairness have been pleasantly surprised on a few calls.

What I do find, is the HUGE amount of aftermarket that Jaguar cars have available. Maybe the WWW has a lot to do with this. I did visit XK Unlimited in San Luis Obispo, many years ago when I was in Vegas visiting the relatives, awesome place, and once you rid the LHD from the equation, many bits are the same. I got front and rear glass seals, door seals, boot seal for the XJ-S at less than half the $ here, and a cheap suitcase to bring it home was half the fun.

Also, there are some items that are purely dealer only, and that is just how it is.

As for your #3 re the water pump, I THINK so. They will bolt up to the timing cover, no problems. The pulley arrangement (number of V's etc), and the heater hose return spigot (the one that faces the dizzy) may be the same, dunno.

 

I know the guy selling the water pump. I have bought some tail lights and lenses off him before. I spent a fair wack of time at his place talking all things Jaguar,he is a retired Jaguar dealer mechanic from the UK. I can go and have a look with my car and see if it will fit.
He spent time going over my car when I first got it,giving me a lot of pointers. But due to his health I havn't seen him since(but his offer to call any time to drop over for advice will be taken up). He is selling parts again so is back on his feet.
A real gentleman,and a pleasure to talk to.