Hi im Casey. im thinking of buying my stepdads fathers old 86 XJ-SC V12 for $500. (I dont know ANYTHING about jaguars) He says it runs but it has broken pushrods. does anyone know how much they cost and how long it will take to DIY or take it into a shop?

 

Hi Casey

I don't think your stepdad's father knows much about engines, because the Jaguar V12 engine has a single overhead cam per bank; there are NO pushrods in the engine. I have to say a 1986 XJS for $500 is likely to need a lot of care and attention after all those years. Do you just want it as an old banger to run around in, or what ?

I suggest you take a look at the car, and report back here on what you have seen and heard. These cars can hoover up money when they need attention.

 

I looked at it this morning its been sitting in his garage since last summer the tags on the plates just expired but that dont help the fact. he'll sell it to me for 500 but up the price quite a bit for anyone else. all i know is it has a knock not a rod knock and a rattle kind of like lifters sound but i dont think thats the problem

 

Casey,

Don't do it! "Hoover up money" as a previous responder said, is an understatement. I'm an experienced Jag owner, 5 to be exact including an XJS V12, and I wouldn't touch this with a barge pole. Not untill you know exactly what is wrong. A 25 year old Jag in disrepair has the potential to eat your bank account alive.
I have the feeling that if the fix was so easy, your step dad's father would have already done it.

 

Ok. thanks for the help. im not going to get it.

 

Good decision. They are one of the thirstiest cars in the world, and would you bet on petrol getting cheaper?
Leedsman.