I'm popping back up after leaving my 97 XK8 on jackstands in my garage for almost 3 years!

It still needs a new torque converter and I'm guessing an A-Drum clutch replacement would probably be wise (Transmission never actually failed, perhaps some slipping - I remember it ran better in S mode).

But now my wife's patience has well and truly ran out with it.

A professional reubuild doesn't seem financially viable on a car that will probably fetch $6k in working condition.

For those of you who have tackled this job, how horrible is it?

I am quite handy - I have the exhausts almost off and I'm fighting with the catalytic converters at present.
The car is secure and the quick-jack gives me almost 2 feet of clearance to work under there. Do I need to jack the motor up? Can I use a regular, low profile floor jack with a transmission bracket to drop the trans?

Once I do have it out, it looks like the torque converter is a simple switch out and the A-drum and plates can be changed with patience.

Has anyone had any luck buying a used transmission and torque converter from eBay and if so, would you recomend that?

How long did the job take you?
Any special tools you recommend ahead of time?

It's such a pretty car, it deserves some exercise!
THANKS!

 

I have done the 'A' drum at least a dozen times.
The cataverter studs do tend to shear so I keep them in stock. They just need to glow red with a torch and they will unscrew with a stud extractor or Vise-Grips.
I set the gearbox TAIL DOWN in an old small diameter, tall gear oil drum with blocks of wood in the bottom to set the height just right for pulling the bell housing/front pump assy.(just leave the pump on the bell housing)
If you are careful and NOT tear the pump to case gasket, you might get away with some gasket compound to re-use the gasket.(I have done it in a pinch)
Then pull the drum set out to replace the forward drum with the updated unit. I use new seals/O rings in the pistons but re-use the frictions/steels as they are usually NOT worn much if the gearbox is less than 100K miles.(check and replace if worn)
The reason you need to do this VERTICALLY is so the frictions/steels in all the drums stay aligned and the drums can drop in completely. (CLUNK)
If you try to do this horizontally, it will be VERY difficult to line everything up.(never tried it)

 

Fantastic tips thank you!