Hello, the heads were brand new NOS. The block was a series of sessions with various chemicals and a pressure washer. I have decided that oven cleaner is the absolute best grime cleaner out there. I had contemplated dragging the block to the machine shop to have it run through their parts washer but I got a bit lazy I guess and probably spent a lot of extra unecessary time myself cleaning it. All smaller parts ended up in my parts washer bin with some environmentally friendly solvent, which I can say doesn't really do a very good job. After that, the intakes got sanded, then sandblasted along with most other parts in my sandblasting cabinet (lots of hours). Nuts and bolts all go into a vibratory tumbler with degreaser etc. I took the crank and the heads to the machine shop and the crank went in the parts washer, then got polished. The heads were skimmed to make sure they were true. Then new valves went in. After all the prep work, I started powder coating everything. And finally assembly work. I had to tear down two engines to get enough good parts for one. I have torn down a number of V12's and tend to find some sleaves are too pitted to reuse (engines that sit a long time collect moisture depending on environment) or someone dropped a washer or something into the intake at some point and there are imprints of said fasteners in the tops of pistons. I am going to likely complete at least two more rebuilds. I have four Jaguars right now and a few more probably coming my way that need engines. I most recently purchased a 1979 XJ12L that needs a complete resto and I don't believe there are many of those left so I am going to completely restore it. Stuff like that. Did I menion I have a day job? I need to retire as I would rather be in my shop! Pictures below of pistons etc. after Cerakote. I believe the product will significantly reduce excessive heat. Cerakote on top and microslick on sides Cerakoted combustion chambers Pre bake before coating powder coating with Chrom powder coat
Two thoughts come to mind. Very excellent work by the way. #1 you either have a very understanding, and helpful Wife? Or #2 you're not "Married with Children!" LOL!
Today, I brought her out of hibernation, and did a few Italian Tune Ups. She was a bit shaky at first, and there IS an exhaust leak (there's an excuse to buy new things) and it's probably time to R&R the coils and other ignition things. On the plus side, the new throttle bushings worked great!
Decided that the top should work. found a broken Hydraulic lift cylinder. Snapped the tip of the shaft right off. the PIA was having to take the interior apart to do the job but all done and magic it WORKS.
Fitted a 120amp alternator and new crankshaft damper with a 4 ridge belt. All quite straight forward on my 84 total job worked out at £260 in taxes from usa and £89 for the alternator from Ebay
I'm Fed up with tyre shops auto box specialists and mot testers jacking up the car and destorting the jack point protruding bit. So I bonded a Puck to them with tiger seal 😊😊😊
With the late Convertibles using cross-braces that are attached to the jacking points, I couldn't bond anything permanently there, so i bonded some small magnets into the top of the pucks to hold them in place for tyre fitters etc.
