I have had my '76 XJ12L, 36k miles, parked for 30 years and now it is time to get her back on the road to commute between Portland and Seattle. I have had the rack rebuilt, injectors rebuilt, I am installing replacement fuel tanks because the old ones are rusted internally, new fuel pump also. This is all in the last month. I plan on replacing all of the hoses and belts. I am also planning a full tear down of the brakes.

What should I plan on doing to update the car for reliability on those trips, 130 miles each way. Does the computer system need to be changed out, ignition system, ... What should I upgrade.

Thanks in advance for the help.

John

 

I'm a little out of my league on the 70s models but yours likely has the old "Opus" igntion system...which wasn't all that great. There are upgrades out there. Google "Reopus".

I'd take an afternoon and clean all the fuses, fuse clips, wiring connectors, and ground wires/connections. That'll prevent 75% of the electrical problems that might otherwise crop up.

How's the radiator?

Might wanna change the diff oil and trans fluid.

Don't forget to repack the wheel bearings....which you'll probably do with the brake work.

I'd change the underhood fuel hoses.

That's all I can think of at the moment

Cheers
DD

 

A '76 V12 parked up for 30 years and you now expect to start it up and commute 260 miles a day in it with just a little remdial work ? This sounds like the closest post to "Mission Impossible" I have seen on this forum.

First off there are no complex electronics like computers on these cars. In fact, the car is probably on carburettors for fuelling, not fuel injection. If it is fuel injected, it is the Lucas-Bosch D-Jetronic analogue system.

The V12 ignition system was always problematical and you will probably need to source an after-market replacement which uses the original distributor. Lucas Opus was called 'Oplus' (joke !) even by Lucas engineers.

Essentially with this age of car and non-running all that time, almost anything can go wrong, so if I were you I would bring it up to running condition gradually, then run it locally at weekends, (with a breakdown subscription), until it seems to have settled down and can run the miles you want. Brake rebuild probably essential, including the flexibles and steel pipes - replace with Kunifer (Cupro-nickel) tube, and brass fittings.

Running it daily is going to be of great benefit when you get it reliable, except for winter, when it is likely corrosion already there will be made far worse, The build quality on these cars was abysmal even by 70s standards.

Lastly the fuel consumption will be punishing. About 12-14 mpg is all you are going to get, so you will need to budget for 18-20 gallons a day to cover 260 miles. Can you afford this ?

 

Doug,

Thank you for the suggestions. I will take them all to heart. I haven't had an opportunity to work on her. I have got her moved indoors to a place where I have space to get her up and get those fuel tanks changed out.

John in Linton, Oregon

 

Last and not least!! A new set of tires!! Even if the ones on it look good and have tread, they are degraded.

Makes me think of a TV program I watch from time to time. Former Brit chef Robert Irvine's 'Restaurant Impossible". he takes on disfunctional restaurants and by education, cajolery and a ten thousand dollar budget makes winners of them,

Taking a page from his lore, create a budget spread sheet. List the items that need service in one column. Next is the material cost, then time. And at the side of each is a column entitled actual. Post it regularly and watch the numbers and where they are going.

Or, just dive in and "d... the torpedoes, full steam ahead". Per David Farragut, Admiral, U.S. Navy.

I did the latter and never dared run the totals.

Carl

 

Carl,

Just my attitude, however getting past the wife can be a problem. Lucky for me she loves that car also.

Guess I'd better get with it while I still have a space indoors where I can work. Have you had any preference for upgrading that injection control?

John

 

I am reviving a 77 XJ12L for a friend that has sat since 1992. 20k miles and in a humidity controlled garage. Garage queen. However, I am finding more and more issues as I go along but I am taking the slow road.

Perhaps we might become real good pals :-)

Where are you?

Listen to Fraser and take it one problem at a time.

 

Bob,

I am in a community named Linnton, in North Portland, Oregon.

John

 

Darn it. That kind of excludes us from hooking up at a Starbucks to shoot the breeze about our pain. :-)

 

I am amazed that this thread of 2010 has come back to life !

So how are things going ? Or maybe they aren't !

 

I am in pursuit of my PhD at Oregon State University which has taken a large part of my off hours from my Jag. I am now in my third year of that project. I am just now looking back in that direction.

John

 

Hi John, I came across this book recently, which would seem to be just what you need.
Kirby Palm's Jaguar XJ-S Help Book

Writer's name is Kirby Palmer, and he covers almost everything about maintaining Jaguar V12s, with very practical advice, ie, what goes wrong, how to fix it, and which cost effective parts to use.
It is a large book (PDF), but well worth reading.
It is free.
Good luck with the restoration.

 

Seconded! I've slogged my way through most of it as some of it is directly applicable to my XJ wuzza six. The cars are built on the same platforms. Other stuff translates as well. And, some XJ's are V12 powered.