This cat arrived to my yard few years ago. 1997 XK8. The car was in USA, but after the incident was imported to Lithuania and rebuild. After a while the car was left outdoors for 6 years and i think it was the worst decision for her. The car was in poor technical condition so finally it came to my hands and i started to rebuild it. Son in general:
1. Technical condition 4/10.
2. Interior 7/10.
3. Exterior 7/10.

First thing i have changed all the liquids:
1. Engine oil + oil & air filter
2. Transmission oil + filter
3. Differential oil
4. Brake fluid
5. Antifreeze



And it was the time to test it. After the test i had these problems:
1. Antifreeze was leaking in a size of amazon river... There was a plastic coolant outlet pipe which from heat and time had 2mm whole if you fit it to the engine, ordered the metal one and leak was fixed.
2. Engine is overheating... Ordered new water pump and thermostat problem fixed.
3. Engine was shaking due to misfire... Regarding the leaking outlet pipe all spark plugs holes was full of antifreeze. Pump out the antifreeze, cleaned all ignition coils and changed all spark plugs. After these jobs it seemed to work better but still not as V8 should. Scanned the faults and there was a misfire in 7 cylinder and system to lean. New ignition coil and MAF solved botg issues.
4. Brakes are working all the time so supports - dead... Removed all supports, the cylinder was in stock and dont get back to its position. Bought same diameter support cylinders and restored all supports. New brake pads was fitted as well.
5. Autopilot isnt holding the speed and engine fault lights up in the dash... Fixed vacuum leak and it's operating well
6. A/C - not working... Refiled with Freon and its started to work well.
7. Leaking steering column. Restored and filled with new fluid.
8. Sounds in front axle - ball joints lower and upper for both wheels and front anti roll bar links was replaced.
9. Transmission oil pump had sounds during the gear changes. Gear changes wasnt smooth for ztf gearbox... Refilled with oil and all sounds and problems ended... For a while...

That's it so far so it was time to test it. After cruise in city we decided that there isnt a better way to test it then to go to the race track:
https://minifiesta-my.sharepoint.com...DKHag?e=OIaoZH

Ok so we had a bit of fun... ...and problems... due to old belt tensioner the belt went of damaged air vents, due to heat the pressure of cooling system was so high that it blew the radiator and suddenly we are out of the cooling... Get back to the basics - garage...
1. Broken air vents. Ordered new ones and it was easy to replace.
2. Broken radiator. Ordered new one and it was easy to replace as well.
3. New belt tensioner with new bearing.
4. New expansion tank for antifreeze.
And tried to fire we engine. Sadly there was no compression one head - lets look whats inside, and here is what we found:
1. Cylinder head gasket was leaking... Ordered new one.
2. Chain tensioner where almost dead... Thanks good we changed them and chains as well...
3. Some troubles with head... Fixed

Lets fire up - working as swiss clock ok lets leave it for a winter sleep.

Spring arrived and with it new updates in interior and exterior:
1. 20inc BBS Perseus wheels with almost new michelin supersports tyres.
2. Chrome rings for instrument panel and speedometer.
3. Chrome around gearbox selector and gear selector knob from X150.
4. Chrome on the trunk.







Now the kitty rides as it should and i can drive in confidence that nothing goes wrong. Now its time for a right V8 sound. My vision is deep V8 sound, but not to much for a long trips. My advice is to remove 2 rear silencers and straight pipe it. Standard exhaust are so thin near the rear axle that the straight pipe will definitely release some power as well. If you would like to have the same exhaust i could make it for a reasonable price. Please find the sound track below the pics. Exhaust is still under development.





Exhaust test without rear muffler watch from 50s.
https://minifiesta-my.sharepoint.com...gvjCg?e=DzFLey

Future plans: to rebuild interior and exterior

Its was worth all the time and any penny, BECAUSE I DRIVE THE JAAAAAG.

 

Wow, what a great job. Would you consider sharing your costs to date, parts, and labor?

Since you appear to be doing the bulk labor maybe you could estimate the number of hours.

Thanks for sharing,

-M

 

Welcome to the forum Tadas,

When I saw the first photographs, I thought this XK8 looks good but what it needs is new wheels. The Perseus BBS you've fitted look excellent.

Graham

 

Interesting thread and good job on the car. I will be following this.