I am working on a prototype Air Dam
(for lack or a better term) for my convertible Jaguar.

I am using modeling foam to start. Have the first prototype done. It works great. It is also a sun visor for dawn and dusk sun hours, it is a sound deadener, quiets the ride considerably (no air whistling by your ears).

With the front windows closed, rear windows closed (conversion), and a rear seat windscreen and the wind dam in place going 60 MPH a Kleenex in the passenger seat does not move !!

It is AWESOME you would be surprised at how effective it is and it surprisingly enough looks quite good in place!

The way it connects is via the convertible top latch and guide pins so it is very strong and stable and only takes 5 seconds to put in place or remove.

I will get pictures as it progresses and a better write up with it's own thread.

For now it is in the trial phase but I plan to fiberglass the first one. Get some feedback and if all goes well I will try to make a mold and create the next one from carbon fiber.

Look for the new thread in near future it will be titled something like -

" How To Keep Your Lady Happy In A Jaguar Convertible "

Remember
Happy Motoring...

 

I worked very hard at doing nothing most the day. Worked at it so hard in fact I was totally knackered from all the nothing that needed doing so I finally found something to do just so I could rest a bit.



Dave

 

The display on the climate control unit was not working so I replaced the unit with one I picked up on ebay. While taking the console out to get to it, I found that the previous owner had rtv'd the gearshift surround ring on because all the tabs were broken off so I ordered a new one to replace it. Also, when I had the radio bezel off, same condition. Tabs broken off or cracked. Only 4 screws holding it on. I finally located one that should be arriving this week. I need to replace the front part of the weather stripping above the door on the passenger side. That's going to cost a chunk of change unless I can think of another way to repair it without it looking like a hack job.

 

Steam Cleaning Carpets all around !

 

I got the '81 Volvo Bertone started today. The problems, after 2 years was that the previous mechanic screwed up and left everything he touched. Left the distributor one tooth off and adjusted timing to BTDC to make up for it . . . and finally, the cold start injector and aux air valve harness connectors were swapped.

Started cleaning the interior leather.

How's this for a 34 year old seat leather before refinish? Refinish needed due to fading in some areas. Objective: show quality restoration.





. . . and a door card after refinish:

 

Would you be interested in donating the old one unit to me for freightcost? I'm in a Project to replace the whole console with an android tablet and I need to hack the climate control unit but I am not to keen on breaking my own working one as I want to be able to undo this mod.

 

PM me your shipping address and I'll see what I can do.

 

Did a restoration of my convertible top on the weekend with a kit from the Funiture Clinic.
Original shape was not too bad but super impressed with the results.
Now waiting for my Conventry Whitelys to arrive.

 

morning test

 

I just did the crank sensor on my a8. That car angers me how they designed a lot of things.

 

Hare, the top looks great. I went to the site and that kit is not to bad price wise. How bad was your roof, how hard to apply, details please.

 

My top was not that bad. It was a touch faded. I have used Autoglym convertible top kits in the last few years.
The kit was indeed complete. Everything you require to do the task was there including clean cloths. Followed the video guide to the letter. The wipe down after the brush cleaning really pulled out some imbedded crud. It does look good after the wipe on colour step but using my airbrush to apply finish coat really completes the look.
Now I just need the weather to warm up and the snow to f off.
Cheers

 

I had an indy shop adjusting my Wheel aligment today. Now my steering Wheel is sthight forward and no more autosteer into the wild...

 

Hare - did you go with hyper silver or chrome on the whitley's and what size? I'm waiting on an estimate for 18" whitley's in hypersilver with Nitto Motivo's mounted. Thought about chrome but not sure

 

Going with the Hyper Silvers in 19 inch. Looking at the pic of your car I would say the colour is the same as mine and that chrome might be too shouty. I think the 19s will look sweet and be less harsh than 20s.
I also have the Mina Gallery system sitting in a box awaiting the buggering off of the snow so I can get over to a lift and install.

Pics of wheels will follow as soon as installed.

Cheers

 

thanks - look forward to pics. Initially thought chrome but agree may be too over the top. Going with 18's as I have lowering springs (1" front and 1.25" rear drop) that i may add with new shocks - hopefully this weekend.

 

sklimii,

Do not go with the chrome wheels. My wife's 2006 XK8 Victory Edition rolled out of the factory and headed straight to Beverly Hills with the 19-inch chrome Atlas wheels. They have always screamed "ghetto drug dealer" to me. Her car would look so much more refined with the standard alloy Atlas wheels. Good thing she likes these factory wheels because I am not paying to replace them....

 

I took the right valve cover off to see why it is leking oil on the exhaust giving a non pleasent oder driving top down in the spring sun.


I replaced the gasket Before but it did not help.


It looks like someone broke this sometime in the past but the strange thing is that there are no cracks on the inside.. Anyways, to Morrow I will rethread the hole to the last bolt and see if it does the trick. It was quite difficult to get that one out so it just might be that it was not tightened as far down as it should. It is only like 10Nm force and if the threads are tight...


We'll see to morow.

 

I flushed my 99 XK8 trans for the 3rd time today, so I don't have to deal with stuff in the valvebody, when I replace the drum, and pressure regulator piston. I also changed the oil, in the diff. I'm sorry, but I drilled a hole in the trunk, to refill it. I am not normally a hack, but it was designed not to have maintenance done on it. I did repair the hole I put in the trunk. I hope I am dead, before I need to do that again. I also put in the upgraded chain tensioners. I put in a new valve in the fuel tank emission system, and replaced most of the hoses. Busy day, but what else am I supposed to do on disability? I started at 7am, and went to bed around 11pm. The really good parts come in the mail, in the next couple of weeks. New upstream O2 sensor, interior kit, top boot, and Dayton wire wheels.....Be cool...Mike

 

Installed a new (used) trans rotary switch and R&R the console/adjusted the select cable. patched together the broken VVT electrical plug as best I could. replaced the ABS module with another used one.
I just went for a test drive and there were no warning lights or messages showing when I parked the car back in the garage. the dash looks so unusual without them……... can someone tell me what's about to be wrong with the car next?

Russ