OK, so I am (sadly) preparing to put the Mark II on the market. In the interests of finding the right buyer, I am considering getting the old girl running again after an almost 18 years slumber. She ran perfectly when she was parked... but... 18 years...

So, the question is - how, or if, I should go about this. In a perfect world, I would pull the cam covers, scope the cylinders, and do an overall health check before trying to light her off again. In reality, I live several hours from the car and that is not a realistic option. I know there is no 'right answer' and it will be controversial, but should I -

A) leave it alone and leave it to the next owner to do correctly. The chances of doing permanent damage outweigh the benefits.
B) chance the oil, put a little down the cylinders, change the battery, plugs, wires, cap and add fuel. See what happens.

Keep in mind I am selling the car on behalf of my elderly father, and would like to let him have one last ride in the car before she goes. What say you? What would you do to get her running? Is it worth the risk of blowing out God knows what unobtanium seals to get the old girl running?


(yes I know she looks goofy with the wrong size tires. Looks like a 4x4)

 

I would suggest checking that you can turn it over with a spanner on the crank pulley and then leaving it for the next owner to start it or not.

If you really want to start it then spin it over using a spanner a few times then assuming its ok I would change the oil, spin it over on the starter to get oil pressure up and then do the usual things to try starting it (clean the points, check for spark, put fuel down the carbs etc.).

 

I spun her over a couple weeks ago, with a ratchet on the crank and by rocking her back and forth in gear. Turning it over on the starter is a great idea, not sure why it hadn't crossed my mind!

If it was just me, I would move her on as is, knowing the engine is not seized.

 

I think the important consideration is really does your Dad (and you) want to get her going for a last drive before letting his Jaguar go away forever. The car looks great for having sat so long so I suspect that it has a great deal of sentimental value to him and that it will fire up and can actually be driven - at least for a short drive or two. Be sure a test the brakes while still close to home and at low speed ! If you do the work you've described first ( I don't know if I'd change the oil filter unless its been converted to a spin-on affair) it should fire up. Hopefully there's not much old gas in the tank and you can add a couple gallons of the best grade gas available... I would recommend pouring about 1 oz of Marvel's Mystery Oil down each cylinder when you change the plugs and let that seep down for a day or longer prior to start up. Obviously the new owner will want to undertake a more extensive recommissioning to get the Jaguar roadworthy, but for just a short drive or two you probably will be fine.
Another benefit to firing it up is that I would think a potential buyer would pay you more for a Jaguar knowing that it starts up .

 

You will always get better money for a running basically mobile car than for a non-running "lead sled"
It doesn't have to be roadworthy but able to move under its own power.

 

I would be very cautious of the brake system. Take a good look at the brake hoses, they may well be 57 years old (I am, and I know I'm tired). The carbs are likely to give trouble too being stuck or varnished up.
I think if it were me, I would plan on showing the buyer that the motor is free and leave it at that. This is because I would dive in, get carried away and decide to keep it. Good luck whatever you decide,

 

As Bill wrote, it's a much more attractive buy with a running engine. From what I can see it looks like a good example, too good to sell if it were mine ...

 

I have just realised that this is a right-hand drive car ref the brake and clutch master cylinder and photo of the exhaust side of the engine with no steering column adjacent.
This car might be worth more as a re-export back to the British Isles. Many early Jags have been bought in Australia and returned to GB as we are right hand drive.
If the handbrake can be made serviceable that is all that is needed for a running car ie move and stop under its own power

 

We have the same situation here Bill. A lot of nice rust free cars from SA have gone back to the UK.