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Don't be in a hurry to heal, it will turn out better in the long end, Your workmanship turned out a lot better then mine on the seat relocation project.
Thank you for the update, Dave, I was wondering just yesterday how you were doing.
As mentioned, DON'T RUSH IT! You'll be really sorry if you do.
(';')
Thank you for the kind words Larry. Hurrying, for the most part, is less and less of my daily routines. Your post and pictures were the guide I needed to get started.
The highways turned snow free and dry about a month ago, so my wife and I decided to take the Jag to the gas station, first legal trip with license and insurance on board. Very nice first impression, but as you all have said, some sorting to do.
Nothing is working in the Delanair, no clicks, whirs, whistles, only ambient air flow from all vents, fuses look good. Investigation will follow. The digital clock would not "stay alive" when key was off, indicates no constant battery. Tested and have 12v all the way to the wire entrance of the clock....bad clock, new one on the way. My initial alignment turned out to be a rough alignment, had to tweak the toe-in a little. The odometer and trip meter don't work, speedo does work. I might look inside or send it away for repair. Any information on instrument repair businesses would be greatly appreciated.
I'll get right to it: the engine is strong and something I'm proud of. I'm having a little trouble with the transmission though. At first it had no 2nd or 4th gear, but the builder found a shift solenoid with a broken winding-problem solved. The second issue is a very hard 1-2 shift which I don't like. I told him in the beginning that I wanted a firm shift, but not a race car shift. I have a race car shift. He is still working on a fix, should get it back today.
I've only managed about 200 miles so far and I like it, except for getting in and out of the drivers seat. The top of the car is 54" and I am 74"; the steering column does not have a tilt wheel; I am 75 years old, you guys can do the math. I have adopted the method of lowering myself into the seat sideways, with my legs outside over the sill-plate. I grab the rain gutter with my left hand and pull myself up and at the same time swivel around with my right leg and with my elbow on the console, I make a final lunge and bring myself around behind the steering wheel and drag my left leg into the car. After that, the seat is very comfortable, but the steering wheel position remains at odds with me.
The mufflers are much louder than I had imagined, sound terrific outside, not so much inside. I can live with it, I don't talk much when I'm driving anyway. Another thing I've discovered is the handling is much different than a Suburban, the steering is very responsive and positive, but the rear has a feel I'm not used to. I aligned the rear as I was rebuilding and the track is straight and steady, I think it must be because of the independent suspension. I notice a little "looseness" when cornering or lane changing at speed. I don't consider it an issue that learning to drive it won't cure.
The 2.88 gears are just fine with me, they are not a problem if I want to go faster, quicker. I will be building some kind of linkage to keep the rear cage from twisting upward on hard acceleration.
That's about it, the official appraisal on it is $23,300 and I am happy with that, not much less than I have in it. It's a keeper. This is probably the end of this thread from my end, mission accomplished and I would do it again if I didn't know what I know now. Thank you everyone for the support and assistance, this project would not have been finished without you.
My shoulder is healing nicely and I shed the sling a week ago. Still have a couple of motions that I stay away from, but mostly good results.
Darren,
I asked the tuner to leave the PCM values normal and the builder would improve the shift when he built the trans. I've sent scans to both guys and they can see that the PCM is not commanding higher line pressure during a low-load normal take off. But the 1-2 shift is pretty hard, the tuner said he could tell it was a hard shift on the videos of the scans, it would jolt the whole car and the camera. I did one test where I gave it some "high zoot" (anyone old enough to remember that one?) and the PCM did command higher line pressure, as it should. The shift is about right for a full throttle acceleration, but not for every 1-2 shift around town or out my driveway.
Update on the transmission: builder had a double spring in the 1-2 accumulator, he took the small one out and the shifts are noticeably better. Life is good again.
The car looks superb, many congratulations.
The rear end handling: How much, if any, negative camber (top of the wheel sloping inwards) have you got on the rear wheels? Anything up to 3/4 of a degree has a hugely beneficial effect on rear end stability. The car should track and corner superbly if all correct at the front and negative at the rear.
In the UK, ladies were taught to enter cars elegantly, much as you describe: back to the open door aperture; gracefully descend, head inclined forward, arm on door top for stability, placing pert derriere on outer part of the seat, still facing outwards, knees together (very important); lift dainty feet slightly and swivel inwards. Voila!
Worth a video for us!
Last edited by Greg in France; Apr 17, 2022 at 01:40 AM.
Dave - I am deeply impressed with what you have achieved. the car looks great and I am sure will be a lovely drive when you get it fully sorted. And - I don't want to sound patronising here, so please don't take offence - at your age with some mobility issues you have done fantastically to do such a challenging engine swap with great quality restoration/modification work.. I am only 66 and have some health/mobility issues too and have started to find some work on cars a bit of a struggle but keep at it - in fact a new (old) Jag has entered my fleet in need of some TLC but I don't think I could take on such a big job.
Well done and I hope the climate is not too unkind to your lovely Jag.
Thank you Greg. I set the rear camber at neg .8 per specs in the shop manual (I think). My description of the handling may have been too harsh, it does corner very well and drives straight as a string, but an independent rear almost certainly handles differently than one with a solid axle. The extremely quick steering is another part of my learning curve.
You know, every time I get into the car, my mind pictures one of those celebrities arriving at the Oscars and maneuvering out of the car. You've described my discomfort to a tee. A video you say,...............
Powerd
Thank you very much. When I started this project I didn't think I would carry it as far as I have. My age has reared it's ugly head on this rebuild, that's why I have commented in the past, that I've accomplished in the last 3+ years what most people complete in a few weekends. There are a large hand full things I don't/can't do any more, but it helps a great deal to have an accomplished mechanic for a Son (he has a lift in his garage!) living next door.
Persevere at your own pace and it will get done.
Dave
Last edited by LT1 jaguar; Apr 17, 2022 at 01:35 PM.
Reason: Forgot greeting
... it does corner very well and drives straight as a string, but an independent rear almost certainly handles differently than one with a solid axle. The extremely quick steering is another part of my learning curve........
Dave
Uh huh, and those 3 things often take drivers of Mercan Understeering, Looong wheel base Barges by total surprise. Some even find it unnerving; so much so that then soon stop driving their Classic Jag in favor of some soulless SUV that no one can identify unless they read the badge.
Even though my other ride is a short-coupled Subie Baja with all wheel drive, Nix is SO quick in a corner that she even takes me by surprise if I haven't driven her in a while. But the more you drive it the more you'll Love it.
(';')
