Looking good!
I agree with keeping it simple and using your money to make it more reliable instead.

I have a quick question for you.

What are these plates you used to remove the heads? Maybe a photo?

It came to my attention the other day that the head gasket on my fathers 89 v12 is blown.

I'm going to take advantage of this a pull the engine for a through cleaning.

Best of luck on your build, and wish you the best with that couples therapy.

- Alex

 

Alex,
I am going to sound like the rest of the members here and recommend downloading Kirby Palm's "Experience in a Book" on page 77 and 78 he outlines a diagram for the short puller. You can see it on the picture of my head attached. I caution you to be patient and deliberate with your wrenching. Too much tightening on one side will twist, bend and strip things real quick and in a hurry. Lots of penetrating oil patience and good judgement is your ally.

 

Thanks for the pic!

That makes a lot of sense, should be easy to make it.

I've never heard of Kirby palm experience in a book, I'll try to track that down.
I like having a stock pile of books to reference, makes doing anything much easier and more reassuring.

 

@pitful, just go to the How To section at the top of this forum. The XJS Book link will allow you to download it.

 

Thanks Richard!

I consider myself above average when it comes to reading comprehension and retention. But I have read chapters in this book several times and find something new every time. I am sure it has also to do with the stage I am at in the build and the information that I need to know.

The shop stated that the exhaust valves to be replaced were bent. ?? they have not called so I guess they are satisfied with the parts I brought in. We are moving forward with block cleaning now.

 

This one is becoming frustrating. The shop rebuilding my heads called me and stated that I needed 5 new exhaust valves. So I scavenged a head for some more valves and they called me yesterday to inform me that the 6 valves that I brought in are bent also.

I suspect set up may be at fault on the tech's side but I need to move forward any suggestions??

 

Update. Ordered new valves. Thank goodness for friends in parts departments. Saved me 50%. Took a pressure washer to the rest of the motor last night and cleaned her up good. From there we immediately blew it off and pulled the lower pans off. The sludge in the sump was pretty thick. But wiped out easily.

 

Where did you get them from please, and what make were they?

Thanks
Greg

 

They are oem from Jaguar. Autobahn Jaguar in Dallas. They ended up getting them from England. I still doubt that my valves were actually bent. But that is like arguing with an umpire.