I just received a 1980 Jaguar XJS from a dead relative I did not know. It has only about 8k miles on it. And from what I understand it’s just sat in his garage without being touched for 40 some odd years. I’ve got quite a bit of money and the boredom to mess around with it. I’m looking for advice on things to do to it, things to check for repairs wise, and anything else I should know. I’ve never owned an old car or a Jaguar. It also needs new paint. Any recommendations? I’m no mechanic but I am handy and know my way around a car.

 

After sitting that long every system will need full overhaul. Fuel, cooling, brakes, and likely suspension

Any rodent damage?

Rust?

A quality repaint will be $10K easy...probably more.

If you want a project, you've found one !

Anyhow, I would begin with the fuel system and see if you can get the engine started and go from there. Remove and de-rust the gas tank. Hopefully the metal fuel lines are not rusted. See if the fuel pump works. If so, try starting with fresh gas, watching for fuel leaks. Plan on replacing ALL the fuel hoses (there are lots of them!).

Before trying to start change the engine oil and filter and spin the engine on the starter with the ignition disabled until the oil warning light goes out or the oil gauge moves

Others will chime in with more

Cheers
DD

 

Oh, lord. 40 years... You didn't where it was stored (city/state), that make diff, humidity is not your friend.

Plus the fuel pump probably is frozen.

As mentioned ALL, fuel lines, use fuel injection hose, SAE J30R9 or R14. NOT R7, coolant hoses, complete brakes rebuild master cyl, all calipers, system flush.

I would wager none of the electrical switches are going to work. Or instruments. I would put used battery in it to check all that before you buy a new one and then decide to have the car hauled off.

I bought a 20 year dormant car, fortunately cheap. The purists wouldn't approve of my solution to a whole bunch of problems.

Doug

 

So far I’m looking at about 10-11k for paint. I’ll also be getting all new tires. Fuel lines surprisingly are in good condition same with the engine oil looking brand new so I’m thinking that there had to be some upkeep. Some of the interior lights don’t work but for the most part works pretty well. I had put a used battery in it to test them. It was stored in a huge warehouse because he was a collector but too old to do anything with the cars. Thank god for the climate in the plains being so dry because there are no rust problems. Brakes need a complete rebuild. Even with some fluids looking good I’m doing a whole system flush tomorrow. Whole dashboard is up and running so I’m glad there aren’t many electrical problems because I am not well versed in that.

 

Colder and drier are wonderful for preserving cars. I saw your SC location and afraid hot and humid for 40 years. I have seen decades long stored cars come from MT and SD that didn't need much at all to get them going.

Good luck and have fun!

Doug

 

One piece of advice on the "oil looking brand new". Oil that has been setting still for years will let the sediment settle out and leave the oil clean-looking. All that crud is still in there, just sitting on the bottom of the oil pan waiting to be sucked up by the oil pump at the first start-up. Hit the starter very quickly to see if the engine even spins and then change oil/filter before trying to start. Might be considered overkill and obsessive, but I am.

Dave

 

YES.
Since the car is basically an unknown (respect to the circumstances), I would change EVERY fluid.

When draining the fuel system, via the hole in the boot floor, note the contaminants, or lack of, and that will assist in the work plan.

Being a Bosch D Jetronic Fuel System. and an Opus Ignition System, there are many updates to give better reliability etc. I have a number of PDF's on that system, so ask if you want them for the library.

I would be cautious with :having a quick flick" of the starter, because as soon as the Ign is ON, the fuel system is primed, and if there is crud back there, you just pushed it into some very expensive, and hard to get, Injection components, AND, the oil pump has rotated, and sucked who knows what into system. That oil pump is a Monster, and moves a Lot of oil very Quickly.

I have been into this a few times over the years, and SLOW as she goes, is the ONLY way. I fill the beer fridge, make sure the comfy chair is under the shade tree,, and just take is slowly. I do walk away, sit and ponder, talk to the Dog (she dont say much, loves a beer also), and let the world rotate without Jaguars for a while.

The PreHE, yours, is STRONG, and so sweet, and easy to live with, once sorted. One of my PreHE is at 860,000kms and still as made in Coventry. Lots of the "bolt on" stuff is at the 3rd item, but the guts is as made.

Hve fun.

Based on the earler scribe, the engine would be fine.

 

Thinking some more, yeh I know.

You say you are NOT a mechanic, GOOD, you will be fine.

I have attached a PDF, just to give you some thoughts.
I know it states 1977, but PreHE is from 1976 to somewhere in late 1982.

These cars are NOT scary, its the Mechanics that make them that way.

 

You have a decision to make in principle: Are you going to do all the maintenance yourself? If you are, and you have sticktoitivenesss, and if you enjoy doing mechanical things, then you will end up with a great GT car.

If not, move the car on. If you do go for it, there is loads of help on here, and you will never get stuck for want of help!

 

We need pics!