As Doug says, it's pretty easy to remove the front panels. Here's a picture of mine with the cover removed. I spliced another piece of tubing to the one that ends inside the space and routed it directly through the bottom. Otherwise, the water from the existing hose (I forget, it drains the corners of the firewall air plenum or the forward part of the sun roof pan) dumps into the space and just creates another spot for rust to start.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-211881/page5/
- Post #87
Dave

 

Doug, that is a big panel, also there's a rubber seal there. Yes, the screws are invisible.

I've never removed those for fear the entire car would collapse like in the Charlie Chaplin movies. But I've always been curious as to what exactly is hidden in that compartment,
because in my 1965 S type, the same compartment came with an 8" round hole and a cover from the factory on each side of the interior, which I used for 8" inch marine speakers in case of a flood. The sound system is incredible now since that compartment serves as a speaker cabinet.

the XJ still has the factory speakers that sound awesome but never like the S type. Going to try removing that panel to clean and see.

Dave, you have some nice photos of your work in that thread, machinist ehh ? Me too, I enjoy fabricating from scratch when needed. (but nothing as involved as you do).

Thanks for the info. guys. The XJ is raised on 4 jacks. I decided to replace just the rear calipers, don't feel qualified to lower the whole cage by myself and the mobile mechanics that came to see the job became scared and left with a bunch of excuses.

 

[QUOTE=Jose;2858229
Dave, you have some nice photos of your work in that thread, machinist ehh ? Me too, I enjoy fabricating from scratch when needed. (but nothing as involved as you do).
[/QUOTE]
Thanks Jose, no not a machinist, but I do like to make things to help me out around the shop.

Dave

 

Update on this thread: shield works good.

I've put over 600miles on the red rocket since I installed the rock shield and the oil temp and coolant temp are down 5-8* and more steady. Could just be magic, but there is probably another reason. I'm happy. Next will be a cleaning under the bonnet and then see if the dirt situation has been affected.

Dave

 

maybe it causes an air syphon effect under the car?
My '84 does not overheat either. Never had a problem with heat.