[Lumps!] Ok, so I bought another one, so what

Lumps
1

Well, the tempation was too great. This is the '83 XJS/LT1 I went
and looked at for $3K. After seeing the car in person, it actually
was little better than he said (but not much…LOL).

Got the price down to $2600, and at that price I feel I did ok. The
interior was actually better than expected, with only the front
seats/front carpet/wood being in need of replacement. The paint
looks ‘ok’ (a ‘10 foot’ car) but the clear coat is weather checked.
Might try rubbing it out and see what happens. I certainly can’t
hurt it.

The swap is a very clean install, and I only saw a few things I
would have done different. Even has a finned deep sump transmission
pan, a secondary tranny cooler (besides the radiator) and a oil
cooler. Seems the original builder used this to tow a scale model
steam locomotive to ‘steam meets’!

A few issues I need to address before pressing it into regular
service:

The heater; the fan works, but you only get heat when it feels like
it. I hope this doesn’t get ugly… I’m in Washington state, so
this is a must. The AC needs recharging too, but that’s what
windows are for.

There’s a ‘judder’ when braking from higher speeds. Not noticable
at slow speeds or easy braking, this only shows when ‘working’ 'em.
Feels like it’s in the front, but no pulse in the pedal indicating
a warped rotor, so we’ll see.

And the biggy… the speedometer is ‘hunting’. It will appear to be
good most of the time, but then will read obviously low. It will
also sometimes be ‘twitchy’. That’s not a good thing.

There’s some minor electrical stuff that need to be cleaned up
(wiper delay doesn’t work, mirror switches, cruise control) and for
some reason the electric fans are on a manual switch. Shouldn’t
there be an output from the EFI ECU to switch these? Although the
guy mumbled something about a ‘Howell Program’ for the FI. I didn’t
see the box as it’s under the dash. Idle seems low too at only
about 500 rpm too. Do these have a idle screw to turn up?

One more question; is it worthwhile to ‘repair’ these seats? I’ve
got a '86 parts car, and the front seats (which look identical)
aren’t ripped or worn looking, just have bad stitching. I know I’ll
have to ‘treat’ the leather to bring back the flexibility, or would
I be wasting time and money?

Now I gotta sell something, as the yard is filling up again…–
Why?
Yelm Washington, United States
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2

In reply to a message from Why? sent Wed 4 Mar 2009:

Post some pictures!!! I think we all would like to see your
$2600.00 Beauty!!!–
T-Cat 77, 1977 XJ6 Lump 79’ Vette SB + 700R4
OKC, Ok, United States
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3

In reply to a message from T-Cat77 sent Wed 4 Mar 2009:

Buying these cars is addictive, I now have (3) Jaguars that run
well and one parts car. Cannot help with the speedo as my older
cars have mechanical speedos.

Check out Andrews site, Jaguar Specialties for information the
speedos and what it takes to make them work with these conversions.
Sounds like your PO at least completed his conversion and your car
is driveable.

My LT1 idles at 500 out of gear and no AC on. The computer is told
in the program at what rpm to idle. I just finished up the rest of
the conversion issues on my LT1 tonight, except for one small
throttle body piece.

Depending on the computer/PCM, and the fans, the computer can do
the control. Are the fans the stock one(s)? The fan on my car is
not the stock one(s) but will soon be as I have them ready to
install. I am making sure the fans, radiator and all the AC stuff
is the stock GM stuff for ease of fixing and the cheap prices used.

Do you know for SURE, the year/make and model of the engine/trans?
That is critical in these conversions.

My car (also just purchased already converted) has a '93 Pontiac
LT1 and that is the first year of the LT1 and has a non electronic
transmission. Find out for sure and get the real GM manual for the
engine/car. Without it you will have lots of fun!–
The original message included these comments:

Post some pictures!!! I think we all would like to see your

–
'71 XJ6 383/200R, '72 XJ6 LT1/700R,'74 XJ6 383/700R
Glendora, CA, United States
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4

In reply to a message from Roger Mabry sent Wed 4 Mar 2009:

I’ll try to post some pics after I clean it up a bit. Even my wife
said ‘it doesn’t look that bad…’! But she just doesn’t get the
same thrill as me when I drag another car home… LOL

Year of the motor… hmmm. I was told that it’s a '95, but is
there a definitive way to tell? I would think that the best
indicator would be the EFI ECU, as that calls the ‘tune’ (pun
intended) for the motor. I’ll crawl under there and look (no mean
feat with my bad back) and see if I can find a part # on it.

As to the idle, I’ll admit that it seems to be 500 rpm no matter if
it’s in gear or not. But the idle is a bit lumpy, so I’m wondering
if there’s a cam involved.

And yeah, I seem to be addicted.

83 XJS creampuff stone stock, 83 XJS LT1, 86 XJS 350 carb ratty
parts car, 89 XJS future lump–
Why?
Yelm Washington, United States
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5

In reply to a message from Why? sent Wed 4 Mar 2009:

'93…is the first year of the LT1

92

Shouldn’t there be an output from the EFI ECU to
switch these?

If it’s a stock LT1 computer, there is.

I was told that it’s a '95, but is there a definitive
way to tell?

Maybe not to the exact year, but if it’s stock we can figure
out which of the major variants it is.

Things to ask:

  • electronic AT?
  • has MAF or not?
  • how many crossovers on the fuel rail?
  • has crank position sensor or not?

I would think that the best indicator would be the EFI ECU,

That would be about the least-reliable indicator because the
various LT1 computers can be easily swapped.

Idle seems low too at only about 500 rpm too. Do these
have a idle screw to turn up?

As to the idle, I’ll admit that it seems to be 500
rpm no matter if it’s in gear or not.

Stock is 550 in drive / 625 in P-N when warmed up.

I’d start with a TB/IAC cleaning and make sure nothing is
binding.–
69 E-type OTS
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6

In reply to a message from Why? sent Wed 4 Mar 2009:

Why:

I too, used a manual switch to run the fans. I had to drive it
while I sorted out the harness errors by my vendor!!
Finaly got the after market fans to be controlled by the PCM. One
is supposed to cut in slightly before the other. In practice, the
PCM turns them on at about 210 F. they only run while idling or in
very slow traffic.

One of tehm is hooked to a relay to kick in when the AC compressor
is on. So far, I haven’t charged the system and the comprssor
clutch isn’t powered. I sure hope the compressor works!! My John
Car instructions use the Jag controls for the AC.

As it has been rainig and the streets are dirty and the Jaguar is
clean, it stays in the garage. I hope th sun comes out as I sure
love to drive it.

Carl–
Carl Hutchins 1983 Jaguar XJ6 with LT1 and 1994 Jeep Grand
Walnut Creek, California, United States
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7

In reply to a message from cadjag sent Wed 4 Mar 2009:

Yes, '92 was the first year of the LT1 production, '93 is the last
year with the TV cable for the 700R. After that they were
electronically controlled.

The 500 rpm I reported is from the Jag tach that does not work
properly - yet. I will put a modern timing light on the car soon
that has an accurate tachometer. The S1 tach is different from the
later cars and needs to be converted to the correct GM pulse rate
and the face changed, it stops at 5500 rpm.

I have tested my cooling fan and it does work and it must also come
on around 210F as it has never come on by itself yet. When idling
in the garage, the temp gauge is slow to come off the bottom and
has never reached the middle of the Jag gauge yet.

Road testing is coming soon and our stop and go traffic should get
the temperature into the Normal ranges.

I drive my Jaguars in the rain or whatever - they do clean up and
dry off. Driving with the older 2 speed wipers is an experience you
should have!–
The original message included these comments:

Finaly got the after market fans to be controlled by the PCM. One
is supposed to cut in slightly before the other. In practice, the
PCM turns them on at about 210 F. they only run while idling or in
very slow traffic.

–
'71 XJ6 383/200R, '72 XJ6 LT1/700R,'74 XJ6 383/700R
Glendora, CA, United States
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8

Actually, the LT1 first came out in 92 in the Corvette, then 93 in the Camaro/Firebird, and 94 in the B-body (Caprice/Impala/Roadmaster)-

'93…is the first year of the LT1

92

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9

In reply to a message from A sent Thu 5 Mar 2009:

A:

And the Cadillac fleetwood Brougham!!

Don’t forget me!!!

-:slight_smile:

Carl–
The original message included these comments:

Actually, the LT1 first came out in 92 in the Corvette, then 93 in the Camaro/Firebird, and 94 in the B-body (Caprice/Impala/Roadmaster)

–
Carl Hutchins 1983 Jaguar XJ6 with LT1 and 1994 Jeep Grand
Walnut Creek, California, United States
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10

In reply to a message from Why? sent Wed 4 Mar 2009:

Did you ever get the hunting speedometer fixed?–
The original message included these comments:

And the biggy… the speedometer is ‘hunting’. It will appear to be
good most of the time, but then will read obviously low. It will
also sometimes be ‘twitchy’. That’s not a good thing.

–
Aaron - 88 Hess XJS
Carlsbad, CA, United States
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11

In reply to a message from Bagheera88 sent Fri 29 May 2009:

I hope so. I just tonight got the car all back together after:

Re-engineering the Johns Cars cooling system design

Fixing the intermittent heater/defroster (what a B#$*H!!)

Cleaning up the PO’s crappy wiring job

I also pulled the instrument cluster to replace lights/improve
connections, and I found that the speedo face was loose! One screw
had fell out, and the face would move around and drag on the needle
shaft. So I’m pretty sure that was it.

We’ll see tomorrow…–
The original message included these comments:

Did you ever get the hunting speedometer fixed?

–
Why?
Yelm Washington, United States
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12

Well, I finally posted some pics of my bargain $2500 '83 XJS/LT1
coupe. Remember, it looks MUCH better in a picture than close up,
but for a ‘10 foot’ car, it ain’t bad! LOLOL!

If you look closely in the engine pic, you can see my
fabbed ‘filler neck’ that I added to eliminate the issue I had with
air in the cooling system. There’s also a pic of the part. It’s
made out of 1 1/4’’ plumbing fittings, brazed together then
powdercoated. Problem solved…

http://www.jag-lover.org/v.htm?1243665328--
Steve Ellingson '83 XJS V-12, '83 XJS LT1, '86 XJS parts,
Yelm Washington, United States
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13

[corrected link]

http://www.jag-lovers.org/v.htm?1243665328

Mike Forman
84 XJ6 VDP, waiting patiently for lumping…

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