So fitting the power steering is the first major task I have done on the car where bits and pieces have had to be scrounged. Other jobs have been new suspension bits and pieces and these have been easy to get and readily available, but this time I have needed to get hold of a lower steering column for a 1964 3.8 S Type with PAS. Thanks goodness for Cass3958 who has helped me greatly but a big raspberry to the drop kick second hand parts suppliers that have mucked me around absolutely. I live in Australia (rural NSW) but sourcing parts is the same as it would be if I lived in Sydney or Melbourne - the freight is a bit more but the same other than that. So far in my searches (which have now stopped) I had been dealing with 3 parts suppliers. For two of them the conversation was pretty much identical - "Yeah I've got one, I will get it out and give you a call later this afternoon", No call back, then the next day "Yeah, sorry mate havent had a chance to look but will do so later and ring you back tomorrow" no call back the following day. This same spiel goes on for about 10 days then eventually they fess up - "Sorry mate, I thought I had one but is the wrong size". The third one went through the same process but in their case they did indeed have a unit. They rang me this morning telling me that their unit had worn nylon rollers and a shot rubber boot. Didnt really matter at this point as the white knight had already come to the rescue. Is this the same for everyone or is it just this load of antipodean dealers that are worse than the others?

 

Tim this appears to be a World Wide thing. I have a Jaguar breaker in Wellington Somerset UK. I will not embarrass him with a name. He has around 120 Jaguars of all ages he is breaking. Jaguars from Mk7 and 9 through Mk2s and S Types. He has XJ6s and XJSs all around his farm. He runs it as a business and you have to phone him, tell him what you want then he strips it from a car himself and you collect or he sends it to you. Allegedly.
Problem is you can phone one of his three numbers and possibly get his wife who works in the office. She says he is busy and will get back to you so you leave your name and number. Three weeks later nothing from him but several phone calls from me back to the wife. She confirms he has the part but still no phone call back from him. No price given as he will sort that when he phones me. No postage cost sorted as he has not called me back. Pointless driving up to see him as first you don't know if he is going to be in, second no guarantee he can remove the item you want there and then so might need a second visit.
I have given his name and number to several friends seeking parts and they all get exasperated with the same response. He is doing this for a living for God's sake and yet still will not get back to you.
Definitely a World Wide thing.

 

what exactly are the measurements of the part you need?

I have 2 sources that might have it, IN THE USA. They charge per hour to remove parts, plus the price they will charge for the part, plus shipping charges to me, (they will not ship to AU or Europe), plus the shipping charge from me to you. They have the parts books and acres of old Jags. They don't have computers, or email, everything is done by phone. I add 20% finders fee to the price of the parts for my trouble because I don't work for free. That is how it works.

you can check references with forum member TilleyJon in the UK, to whom I have shipped unobtainable parts. As to the condition of the parts, they are always used but undamaged.

the only part that can't be found used for the S type and 420 is the Heater Valve which Cass calls the "heater switch". Those are really unobtainable in working condition. I have 4 of them and they are all dead. If you need a Heater Valve for S type or 420, you can get a new one made for the 1960s Ford Galaxy which has the same specs as the Jaguar valve. ( Normally Closed, 5/8" ports), Made in China. Works perfectly. Inexpensive about $40. US. I sent one to the Netherlands 3 years ago. Happy customer.

So if you post a picture of the part, with exact measurements, LHD or RHD, I will try to find it. Otherwise, good luck with the project.


.

 

Cass, I know exactly who you mean, & your description is spot-on.
🤣🤣🤣
He's only 10 mins from me & I've popped in a few times. The number of Mk2's & XJ6's he's got there rusting out is unbelievable. He's can be a bit grumpy, but all right if you get to know him. Unfortunately he's on a wind down now & looking to retire so it's more his hobby, but the stock he's sitting in is incredible 😍 ... if only he'd answer the *%$**&% phone!!!

 

thanks Jose. I will keep that in mind.
Cheers

 

If he is winding down I would give him a grand for one of his S Types so I could have a parts car but I doubt if he would sell me one even if I could get hold of him.

 

In my case & can honestly say that Gerald Williams, Jagman - Somerset West, Cape Town & Thomas Rochelle at SNG Barratt UK the service was really good from both. Thomas has now been promoted & well deserved. He went beyond the call of duty. Barratts also gets the most amazing courier rates to SA. But I also can't stress enough the value of having a donor car. I hate to think of doing the job of restoration without one.

 

Yes Glyn. I would LOVE to have the room to have a donor car. I guess I could probably scrape up the money but room is simply impossible.

 

Understood! ~ you are not doing a ground up restoration so it would make less sense. You don't have a buddy with a small holding/farm that would let you park it there?

 

Space is always the problem in the UK Glyn and I know you have two parts cars or had!
If you could find a farmer with a parcel of land to park it on he would want money to store it. Possibly £50 a month and that is outside in his yard not undercover. I know because I have asked. Not worth doing it for less so it is a take it or leave it scenario, nobody does it for free. Because it would be outside the UK weather would destroy it within a couple of years or someone else would get to know about it and parts would soon disappear. I have a single workshop/garage full of S Type spares and the Ford Anglia parts. A driveway for four cars on which I have under cover of a car port the Anglia I am rebuilding and the S Type . Two other spaces for mine and the wife's car and a Motorbike. How I wish I had room for a parts car.

 

Understood Rob. My parts cars are in the dry SA highveld on my restorers small holding & costing me nothing. We just share the spoils of selling off the bits & pieces at my suggestion. He never asked for any compensation. I guess because he made good money out of me & we have become friends.

I do the selling & he does the stripping ~ good deal all round.

I know single garages, if you have one, are the norm in the UK whereas at minimum double garages are the norm here.

 

i am lucky enough to have a double garage, a double shed and another carport area but into that is already crammed an mg, an S type, a pajero, a kia sportage, a camper trailer and a normal box trailer and moving the jag or either of the trailers usually involves moving at least one and sometimes two other vehicles.

 

The Joy of having First World problem rather than Third World ones.

I have a tap with clean water, food on the table and clean clothes but I only have a single garage and have to move one of my other four cars to get the Jaguar out.lol.

 

Yes ~ Aus is more like SA. When I lived in Sydney (Wolstonecraft Bay) my apartment was even allocated 3 underground parking spots.

Excellent water both ends.

 

yeah, i guess it does come across like that. Sorry. I guess what i was trying to say was i simply dont have any more room for another car.