I purchased this car (1985 Sovereign) in 1994 knowing it had a cylinder head problem - specifically a tapping noise. It sat in my garage for 4 years and in 1998 I had a choice to make: Either fix it or get rid of it. I decided to fix it. I pulled the cylinder head off the car, had it rebuilt locally, put it back and from 1998 until 2006 it was my daily driver. I am a pretty good wrench and I enjoyed probably close to 80,000 miles of glorious driving. Once I rebuilt the engine wiring harness, this car was absolutely reliable and had no fear in driving it anywhere. In 2006, however, my interests changed slightly and the car had to go since I had no room for it any longer. I gave the car to my daughter who drove it for another 5 years (2006 - 2011) putting another 20,000 miles or so. However, by 2011 the best days of this car were long gone belonging to the past.

Since the reliability suffered tremendously under her watch, she gave up the car and since then I was able to make room for it once more. However, it sat for the last 4 years neglected.

Today, I embarked in a quest to make it a driver again. I have been blessed during the last few years with my own private shop that I built and have the room to work on her once more. This time, the engine will come out and have it, at a minimum, resealed and possibly have machine work done to it. I am taking a course on engine rebuilding in a local community college and will use this engine for my project. Of course the car needs more work such as interior trim refinishing, door handle repairs, possibly suspension work etc but all that I have done on this and other cars.

Today I managed to get the condenser, radiator and assorted hardware out of the engine bay. I will be pulling out the transmission as well since I plan to replace the slush box with a TH350 tranny using John's Cars quarterbreed conversion. The tranny has always been the low point of this car.

I will be pictorially documenting as I go along.

 

Fun project!


Cheers
DD

 

Good looking Sovereign and work shop. Great project.

 

I once did what you are now doing ! All the best with your project.

BTW, the car would look much better with the Lucas 7" outer headlights. Is this a legal mod in the USA ? All the British cars had the 7". I had late ones with halogen bulbs in.

 

Any reason you are going with the turbo 350 trans vs the 7000r4 and a rear diff ratio change?

 

Yes you can do it in the USA now and it is legal as they changed the laws. It is the same law that now allows all newer cars to have all the creativity you see today.

 

Interesting history, looking forward to this. Your shop looks great

 

It is amazing how many little things you forget to disconnect when you try to pull the engine out of the engine. I just about have it done though. I should've dropped the exhaust header out but did not, and not only that, the only oxygen sensor is on the way and hitting the steering column. I tried to disconnect that sensor but it is baked on tight. I would have to just remove the header before finally completing the extraction. Hopefully I'll get the engine/tranny combo out tomorow... stay tuned....

 

Another combination that I have not read much about yet. Something to look at. If you have any related information/links, I would appreciate it!

 

On to separating the slash box from the engine. I managed to get the oxygen sensor out. That was the only hang-up from last night....

 

A college class is a Great place to learn to overhaul an engine! That's where I learned, and benefited greatly from the experience of those who had seen Everything at least once.

Your shop looks as well equipped as the one where I took the class!
(';')

 

Well, the tranny is detached. Now on to mounting the engine on an engine stand and stripping her of all the ancillaries. But... that is a project for another day. Stay tuned!

 

Not as easy as it should be. The lift's and stand's legs stand in the way. That is where the two post lift acts as an intermediary and facilitates the transfer. Now the engine is on a 1 ton stand and ready to be stripped. Since I have a few other projects lined up, this will probably have to wait a week or so before I get to it.

 

Looks like tons of fun!

 

I just purchased and 85 xj6 vanden plas that was fully restored in 2002 with this power train. It is amazing. Performance and reliability of a vette with style and luxury of a Jag. My apologies to the purist, but this works well and fits in the engine compartment like a glove. And you can still work on it. I have typical electrical quirks (nuisance stuff mostly control lights and button faults) but I love the power the car has. The looks form others trying to figure what I have under the hood is fun too😈

 

Love the garage...

 

It's easier to take the engine out, (and replace), if you remove front bumper and valance.

Are you "lumping it" or rebuilding the original engine ? As a 1985, it will have the better slotted block, so shouldn't be cracked between the bores. Obviously here in England we replace the original Jaguar engine, or a good replacement, as there are no "lumps" available !!

 

The intent is to rebuild the engine and put it right back. I consider myself a "purist" but willing to make some compromises. For example, I do not think the original B&W tranny is going back...

 

Hmm, I wouldn't throw that good ole Borg Warner 66 away too quickly ! Its a box from the pre-electronic era, so no hesitancy when you want to go !! Modern boxes seem to always have a little think about what you have just commanded through the throttle pedal and then, having decided, "allow" you to proceed at a rate of knots.

Of course, Jaguar used a GM400 in the V12s, so clearly there is a choice, but it will get costly to fit a more modern 4-speed (or more) box. I suppose the XJ40 box is a candidate.

 

A bit of nostalgia to me. In about 2001 my OHC suffered a calamity. 0 in all holes.


So, after a considerable amount of research, it got lumped. 94 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham LT1 and 4L60 e powered. My shop not as roomy. And, the bonnett went topside. Blanket on the roof, but upside down. Sort of like the picture. some of the replacement gear went there!!


Now on red line as to starter issues. When the weather improves, I'll fix it.


Meanwhile, my Jeep is back and does just fine.


Carl