Under the hood I would go with something modern.

 

What do you recommend me?

 

OK, Bumper is out. I don't even know what I'm going to put on... but for sure this heavy thing is going OUT!
Total bumpers delete? What are you guys thinking?

 

The A/C was converted to R-134. It looks like the last owner only mounted an adapter over the old R-12 fittings.... Any changes on the system. I pull all the gas out and I check the vacuum after 3 hours. It holes the vacuum! I was expecting all kinds of leaks... I bought a new expansion valve and I'm still waiting for a new drier.
I'm thinking to clean the system and go back to R-12 since it is more efficient. The gas is very expensive though!

 

Emma had been helping me since the first day with all the stuff. Here pulling all the sticky insulation off. Believe it or not, it was crazy job. There are some small rust areas under the driver feet and rear seats. We are thinking to use a POR15 paint and a good SEAM SEALER in all the joints. Then substitute the old insulation with Dynamat. Any suggestions?

 

Hi, I didn't respond to you last time as I have not researched heat insulation padding. That said there are many similarities with sound insulation materials. While Dynamat is considered very good it is also very expensive.


For other cars I have purchased from www.sounddeadenershowdown.com
good stuff, and a good web site.

geneo

 

Wow, I've recently picked up a '88 XJ12 and am just getting familiar with the car, i see you've been tackling some pretty big jobs, looks like the above question is unanswered. There is a heat shield under the hood, that had me scratching my head, perhaps it serves as sound insulation too. See pic

Part no. BEC22723 | Bonnet insulation pad parts from Jaguar Heritage Parts UK

That site is pretty helpful if you need to quickly look up how parts go together.

 

I think the cars look good with the front bumper deleted. If you were looking at going with a UK spec bumper there is an awful lot to change - and all of it will have to come from overseas. This means $$$!

 

It all sounds right. Geneo is right about Dynamat though - pricey. I bought a super thin aluminized fabric that is high temp proof for a different project. I will look up the company info for you. It's a big industrial operation that sells typically to large manufacturing companies but they were fine with selling me a meter or two.

 

I coined a phrase to describe the under bonnet insulation in my car. "Moth eaten bear rug".


I just removed it. Tis bare, and has been that way for a couple of years at least. Not ill effects that I have noted.


I was going to polish it, but, the paint isn't the same as topside. it is dull and didn't polish worth a d...


I do have a can of bed liner. My plan was to spray the underside with it.


As to the interior. My car had a mat of some foam type stuff over the trans. it was "cruddy' to say the least. I tossed it and went bare. No ill effects that I can notice.


As to R12 vs R134. I'd choose the latter. If necessary alter the system, a bit.


I've never charged the AC in my lump. The components re a mix of Jaguar and GM.


Too much information has clouded my decisive powers.


Carl

 

Hi Guys!!!

Thanks for all your answers! I can't stay in the front of my car looking at the bumper but I can't take my final decision yet.... yahh! making a complete bumpers delete could be easy on the front but there is a ton of work in the back tail...

Today I had a complete crew working on the car. I really need some help to go fast otherwise I take forever because I'm too picky... (omg yeah!)
Jacob, helped me to cut some small rust areas in the front fenders and Dave help me to fix some dents on the roof. Emma also pull all the chrome lines... They were fake. Somebody installed an aftermarket fender/door protector around the whole car. Now it looks so much better and clean.
Oh... Delete side markers lights?

 

i am in the process of deleting my side markers and just looking at the fiberglass patch thats not even sanded yet looks soooooo much better than the light!!

 

Without question delete them! Ugly with a capital UGH! Much cleaner without them....

 

 

Wow:


1. As an old tech guy, bumpers seem to be a great thing. I think my S3 has an aluminum alloy bar behind the "pretty stuff and rubber.


I saw my neighbor's Jeep sans plastic skirt a few years ago. Yup, a strong bar there.
so, as my Jeep is similar. Ok, some protection. I like that.


Way back when, all cars had exposed bumpers. Great function. One could give a guy/gal a push and fire a reluctant motor. Bumper jacks, a poor idea!!! Support for griiil guard ands supplemental lighting,. OK!!


Most no longer available.


However, I have a set of Hella driving lamps. Not concours correct, but period correct. Some day, mebbe, I'll mount them. But... I'll need to drill the alloy bumper beam for that.


As to side lamps, a couple of tales.


1. Doug changed his to MGB glass. Much less intrusive. And, they do serve a useful function!!!


2. Way back when, my son and I rescued a fancy 73 Ford Ranchero that had seen tough times. It was the top of the line Country Squire model. Fake woodie on the sides. Well, one quarter panel was crunched. Side marker along with the crunch. So, we repaired it and filled the opening. Came out just slick. would anyone notice that it only had a rear side marker on one side. Nope!!!


3. Yeah, that goopy dealer installed door edge stuff and chip protector does serve a purpose, but looks awful. When my Jaguar was down for major surgery, I tried an 88 at a dealer lot. Nice car. Coooool air. But, it's doors were pock marked. Obviously a lot of parking in a parking garage. I could have fixed that, but we could not agree on a price.


I may have gotten lucky as 88 was not a good Jaguar year.


Carl

 

Hi Debbie, I am impressed with your knowledge and ability, are you a professional tech? Sure looks like you could be. I got fuel injector connectors for my 78 "XJS From NAPA, 2-17424, I could not locate the boots but used dielectric grease on the terminals and figured the car is not likely to get wet under the hood. I fabricated a new injector harness and moved it out of the V, to keep the wiring cooler, used a modern harness conduit to protect and insulate it. BTW, I had the same issue on my distributor. I opened up the crimp on the vacuum advance, and cut a piece of inner tube and made a new diaphragm for the advance. We will see how long that works. Good luck on your project.

 

LOL!!!! I love it!

 

For the last week, we only have been sanding, scraping, grinding... The interior is almost ready for the POR15. (I've used long time ago this product and I loved it). About the exterior... how much deep do you would like to go? omg. Now I'm thinking to pull the chromes and windows out since I don't like the masking tape on the windows frame...

The park lamp holes are already weld and all the rust cancer areas were cure as well. (I can weld but I don't have practice making good welds, so Jacob helped me for the last two days.)

About the bumpers: mmm... I have my brain ready to blow! Honestly, I can't put the whole American monster/bumper back... NO way! I thought to cut them and make them cute, I thought to totally remove them but no... too racing and no easy for the rear one neither, I thought to buy the Euro Series II bumpers and adapt them but I don't really like the lower square grill and the side vertical chromes, I thought the conversion to Series I style... but then it is not going to be a Series II... no more, so... What? Plus I wouldn't spend the rest of my budged on the bumpers. We will see... I'm going to squeeze my brain during the weekend and came with some idea before we apply the primer. I could.... make my own hinges to open the front hood. Use part of the original bumpers and modify the rest. Now, I have to think about the lower grill/valance shape. the rear, maybe,... use the side pieces and fabricate the central piece....

Debbie

 

Hi Doug! I located the original boots but are SUPER expensive, about 18$/each... let me know if you want them. I used a modern injector boot, they fit well too for about 1$/each.

Yes, I'm working as a mechanic for Italian cars. I also used to work in some British and Jaguar models long time ago (e-types, mark II, mark VI, mark IX,... and even on XJ220! for a transmission problem). Even though I work in cars everyday I found this Forum very useful since here people know original XJ12 specs and I don't... Plus it is a good source of webs for parts. I keep learning from all you guys and your enthusiasm keep awake to work everyday till late on my Jag.

Debbie

 

OK, let me rephrase that. I could not locate boots at any price I was willing to pay. I do not expect there to be enough water on top of the engine for it to make a difference. I hope. What boots did you use, and where did you buy them?
I used to work on European cars, back in the 70's & 80's, MG, Triumph, Jaguar, VW and a few Mercedes, Fiats and Alfas. I now have a job more suitable to an old man, I work the technical assistance center for GM, helping dealer tech's.