Hi, I just bought a 1963 MkII, lovely car, but I don't know very much about them. I will fix the issues in the coming months. One thing is a little urgent, since it has to be outside some days, the sunroof is stuck partly open. It's a small sunroof, steel, with a chrome handle. When I inspected it before buying, I couldn't move the handle in any direction.

How does this normally work, and is there a well known issue here?

 

If it is anything like the steel sunroof in a XJ-6, it would be cranked open or closed by cables but I have only worked on my XJ-6 sunroof, never in a MK-2.

Sounds like something is preventing movement, but again I am only guessing.

 

I think it's similar to the one in my Mark VI Bentley, rare to see this in Jaguar I believe, as the most common ones are a type of vinyl in Jag's.
If the handle won't move, it's probably rusted in place, and if it is the same as my car, there will be a rather large slot screw in the middle of the handle.
Removing the screw will (should) allow the removal of the handle, after which you may able to get some penetrating oil in there and work it free.

If the handle seems free and wants to move, then the mechanism that raises and drops the rear of the sunroof is jammed up, this is more of a PITA to deal with.
There should be two large flat machine screws with slots at each front corner of the sunroof (windshield end)
Remove those and this will allow you to take something like a small punch through the felt and slide the "keepers" "out" towards the outside of the car on each side.

This will disengage the front part of the roof from the car, and it will allow you to lift the front edge out.
Once the front edge is free, it's slid out (frontwards) from the car, once free, it will become obvious how to works and to find out what is rusted and jammed.

Use packing blankets/masking tape to keep the roof from scratching the body when removing it _ use a helper when lifting out.

When dealing with those large flat machine screws, the slots are very shallow, get the largest screw driver you can and custom grind the end to fit exactly in the slots.
I've even hammered mine wider to create enough surface are to fit the whole slot, and then ground it.
These can be rusted in there as well, it can be difficult getting them out with out destroying the felt.

EDIT:
Here's another thread on the matter, it doesn't look like there are any tabs that can be slid back to remove the sunroof, but there has to be something there, perhaps it's hidden underneath the felt.

MK2 Sliding Steel Sunroof - Saloons - Jag-lovers Forums

EDIT:
Here are some great photos, start at around 299, it looks like the whole thing is installed as a unit and the head liner is put in later.
It appears that there are no tabs that slide back.
The handle turns to allow a "cam-like" mechanism to drop and raise the read end.
When dropped, the read end slides underneath the cars roof towards the rear of the car.
Any part of the mechanism can be rusted of jammed from lack of use, if the rear is dropped, can you at least slide it back, if not forward ?

No Reserve: 1961 Jaguar Mk II 3.8L 4-Speed Project for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $4,000 on February 17, 2021 (Lot #43,337) | Bring a Trailer

 

Many Jags were fitted with Vinyl Webasto sun roofs.

Does your car's OE steel sunroof look like this? If so PM Wouldbeowner.

His car is fitted with one from factory (might also be a Webasto. They made both. Not sure what brand Jaguar used)

Webasto goes back to the early 1900's in Germany.

 

Thanks, was through a lot of pictures, still haven't seen any sunroof where the internal mechanism looks like mine. As I haven't taken delivery yet, I can't take pictures, I'll get back to us all when I can.
Thanks

 

Here's from the link.
The rod in the back on the underside lowers and raises the rear end, the handle is in the closed position now, in the last photo.
The handle has to be horizontal and the roof is slid all the way to the front and then turned length wise with the car to close it.

 

The Webasto Vinyl units have an Anodised Aluminium framework & a flap up wind deflector at the front. Had one on one of my Alfa's all those years back. But that does not help you. They are also much larger.

 

Glyn, mine is like this red one, I can recognize the alu parts and the flexible thing at the front.

--
All:
There's been a development. I managed to massage it back and forth, so now it can close length-wise. But the rear is supposed to jump up, it doesn't. Seller says it hasn't for years. How do I get further without ruining paint or interior?
Pictures of mine:

 

I don't know about these old ones, but I think moderns have a small ramp or wedge that lifts the panel as it closes the last few mm.

 

That is Wouldbeowner's S Type. Send him a PM

 

Found the problems. 2 of them. The first was worn mechanism, some parts needed to be ground off and welded on again a few millimeters differently. Done. But I also need two wood blocks, and I only found one. So the optimistic question is, can they be bought, or do I have to create myself?

 

the XJ-6 sunroof panel has a somewhat similar wedge-shape riser but in plastic.

 

You would have to create that yourself. The chances of finding that for a '63 Jag are about as likely as finding rocking horse droppings. Metal sun roofs were rare at the time. Fortunately you have a pattern.

 

Some further interesting research. Jaguar approved 2 suppliers of metal sunroofs. Webasto & Golde. The cars were sent out to have them fitted. The roof was reinforced prior to fitment and all the bits are apparently shown in one version of the Mk2 Spare Parts Catalogue. There are numerous differences between a standard Mark 2 and a Mark 2 fitted with a sunroof at the "works." (contractor)

This later Mark 2 was fitted with an electric steel sliding “Golde” brand sunroof prior to customer delivery in Europe.

Golde was the factory supplier of sunroofs to Porsche, Mercedes and VW during this period (They were German based). Webasto also did many soft & steel roofs for Mercedes at the time.

Both crank handle & electric were available on later cars.

Here is a Golde electric factory system fitted to a later Mk2. Looks to be a restored car but is supposed to be totally authentic.






All warn to keep the 4 water drain pipes clear.

 

Hi do you have a better Photo of that Wood thing or what size it is i miss both mine

 

The rubber list on the sunroof where can I find that.?

 

I don't have that car anymore. I fabricated metal blocks and used sealer to get the top flexible 2mm. The rubber list, I don't think you can get it...