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Something really good arrived today: a full XJS workshop manual. Covering everything from AAV to something with Z and finally with a explanation for the little blue valve and how the Marelli Ignition works - properly! Crickey! There are more parts to the ignition than to the EFI!
Was EUR 48 incl. P&P to Germany. I spent EUR99 on a German manual which was supposed to be my model year but didn't even cover the ABS setup. So I'm happy. Especially since the this is absolutely new and no reprint or bad copy.
Just bought some xk8 rims today, unfortunately they don't fit as the center cap is too small for my 77 xjs. Did something change over the years to allow xk8 rims to fit without modification?
Was going to smooth out a slight waver in idle speed by removing and cleaning the IACV. "Snap" went the screw.
Odd, as everything on this rust-free example has been so easy to remove...even that pretty chrome ex manifold cover.
Is alright, though, as it will give me my first opportunity to disassemble and clean an AJ16 throttle body, as well as practice my drill-the-hole-and-then-break-off-the-e-z-out skills. I always enjoy that.
Had to replace the distributor rotor as it shorted out and shut down one bank. I had to do it four years ago and new exactly the problem. The Mirelli distributor seems to be ok. A good cleaning might do the trick. I had to use a after market rotor @ $120,arrived overnight. At least I am back on the road.As the Kirby manual says to use silicone on inside of rotor, I did just that and hope it holds. I will be looking to always carry a spare rotor and dizzy cap.
Just received a pair of Jaguar thermostats and their gaskets. Finally found OEM units.
Original reason for this order was a new AAV valve hose. Mine collapsed and I could hear it sucking air. I hope that no bits have delaminated and been inhaled into the intake!
First time I've gotten to wash it. I painted all the black trim with black trim/bumper paint as it had gotten faded(look at that black bumper!), polished the chrome and waxed it. Oh and cut the plastic grates out of the fogs. Look dumb. Oh and painted the left headlight with chrome paint. I need a new one as the paint isn't great and it's damaged.
First time I've gotten to wash it. I painted all the black trim with black trim/bumper paint as it had gotten faded(look at that black bumper!), polished the chrome and waxed it. Oh and cut the plastic grates out of the fogs. Look dumb. Oh and painted the left headlight with chrome paint. I need a new one as the paint isn't great and it's damaged.
Those plastic headlight surrounds do crack and peal. I pealed the chrome off with a knife and painted with black paint. They were broken and required welding back together, a little polyester filler some sanding and a paint, or you could send them out and have them chromed.
Going for a nice drive today. Just replaced the plugs and new spark plug wires. The plug gaps were 0.35 and 0.40, now they are all 0.25 as Kirby says they should be. Who knows, I might increase my MPG. I know from hard times, that the wrong plug gap could easily fry your rotor and distributor cap.
Doing my belt pulleys and bearing at the moment... So far, so good!
Got a good drop in replacement part for the AC compressor belt pulley... As the bearing is not available any more and is a weird RHP specialty (RHP doesn't make specialised bearings for Jaguar anymore) they are NLA. SNG offer a replacement, where you remove the old bearing a fit a new assembly instead sith a replaceable bearing (standard).
Today was the last day of a two week shake down period. I've been driving it to work, a 22 mile round trip. Not a lot of mileage, only about 150 miles but its been in real world traffic. I finally got the driver's window to go down which helped in this heat wave we are having. No a/c of course! Today was the hottest day, it was 104-106 degrees when I got home, but it's been pretty hot both weeks. The car has been running fine and has stayed surprisingly cool. The used transmission that I swapped in works terrific. No oil leaks either.
I've had this car for around two years and it was never a runner due to trans problems. I was very excited to get the car on the road and see how I feel about it. The car needs a bunch of stuff to bring it back to par, but I'm enjoying driving it. It's going back in the side yard so that I can concentrate on my XJ6, which has a few issues. Smog check is due in a couple of months, which takes priority.
My way of learning how this V12 works, got a parts car and started taking the thing apart. The fuel system makes sense now. The vacuum spaghetti makes even less sense now.
and finally with a explanation for the little blue valve and how the Marelli Ignition works - properly! Crickey! There are more parts to the ignition than to the EFI!
