So I have been thinking for a long time aboput getting an XK8 coupe, but the prices have been more than I wanted to pay and none in my bargain baesment condition (broken timing chain or bore wash). I saw a 1997 jump on craigslist for 2K and noticed it hadnt sold in awhile, so I went to take a look. It had not been very well taken care of, and the owner said his mechanic stated it had a bent valve. I asked him for a better price and he came back with 1K- SOLD. He even covered the towing which sweetened the deal. I brought it home, pulled the exhaust cam off and sure enough, all the lifters came up- no valves bent! swapped out the tensioners and the broken chain, replaced the jerry-rigged aftermarket CPS with a good used one I had laying around and BAM- running like a top. (albeit LOUD, since he did a rear muffler delete. I prefer the quiet sound in the cabin, so I may swap with my convertible. Also, there was massive amounts of oxidation and overspray I have to contend with, hopefully I can maker her look decent without ruining what's left of the paint. Here are some pics of the beginning of what looks to be a long journey to bring it back to what it should be, stock and running like a champ.

 

Congratulations. What a steal! Just as a parts car to your other XK8 or XJ8 and XJR (since many parts are interchangeable), you'd be making money, let alone a running automobile. Well done!!!

 

The coupes just keep looking better as time goes by. That car was a steal!

 

A noble cause to pursue !

 

nice find!!!

 

I remember on my first XK I had an overspray problem. The Detailer told me that the original clear coat was 2 part epoxy and I could literally sand down the overspray with 1200 grit paper then buff the clear. I was really gentle and I think I actually went with 1400 grit, but the overspray actually sanded out and the clear buffed up perfectly.

 

Quick update- color sanded and buffed out the paint, need to fix the trac control abs lights next!

 

Looks beautiful. WOW!

 

Amazing what can be accomplished by just buffing!! Beautiful.

Doug

 

Rick- Yep, went with 2000 grit wet sand, and followed up with 205 mcguires and then wax. Next run I will probably go with a polishing compound a, glaze, then wax.

This was a "planned" 6 month project, but is turning out to be a 45 day project....Yay for broken timing chains with no valve damage!

 

Now I think you should go back and give the poor fellow more money. You'll feel much better, Not!

 

Congrats on what turned out beautiful, dsnyder. Great job.

You guys across the pond are so lucky! Cost a song plus your time for something that looks that good and won't have terminal tinworm!


Jealous, I am.

M

 

Pictures never do these cars justice in my opinion, so if it looks that good in a picture it must be fantastic in person.

 

Which chain was broken?

 

Good question Plums- Passenger secondary.. Tensioner slipper cut loose and was caught between the chain and gear. Looking back, I think that most of the broken chain XJs I have gotten were passenger side- coincidence?

Traction control and abs lights are now fixed- I had an ABS module laying around- soldered the power connectors and now all is good. HOWEVER, when I plug in my scanner BAM, P1797 and/or P1643... if I do not plug it in, everything is a ok. I think it may be an issue with the obd2 plug.. I am worried about taking it to get smogged if plugging in the obd2 scanner throws a code.

 

On a lighter note, My son was working on removing the cam, and not thinking, neglected to remove the chain....it slipped down into the timing cover. After semi-losing it, I proceeded to bend a perfectly good telescoping magnet and fished it out....wasn't looking forward to pulling the timing cover...