Let me be clear: Whilst I have dabbled in my day, I am NOT a real mechanic. Plus, I am now physically incapable of working on this car. I am happy just to be able to enter and exit it in under 5 minutes these days.
The engine and trans need to come out to be resealed. They leak fluids faster than the DOD leaks classified documents.
I am thinking of changing the V12 engine to EFI. I am trying to figure out the smartest way to do so. I am a big fan of the mantra, āOne and done.ā
Some advise starting from scratch and buying all the parts from the many suppliers out there. Others advise scavenging most of whatās needed from a XJS EFI V12.
I even read one post that suggested just putting the entire XJS EFI V12 in place of the XKE engine. Is that even possible?
Still others advise making a ālumpā by installing a LS engine and GM auto trans. I must admit that solution sounds like it would create a more reliable car. Yes, I know many consider it blasphemy.
Mea culpaā¦
I am considering doing the EFI on the Jag engine and changing the auto trans for both performance and mpg. I do not know if the GM 4L60E can still be used with the E-typeās engine. Any ideas out there on this model, or an alternative trans, that will work without excessive alterations?
So, any guidance would be appreciated.
OBTW, my mechanic just retired and moved to Idaho. Any recommendations you can make in the San Diego area would be very appreciated.
Your thoughts about finding a good mechanic in the San Diego area are probably your best bet: resealing, a Jaguar V12, in situ, and installing an EFI system, are not for the faint of heart, nor the old of limbā¦
I researched various options when I restored mine a few years ago incl SU carbs or EFI. In the end I decided to leave it alone as it didnāt seem messing with something that works was worth it. I had the V12 rebuilt with the Strombergs.
I have owned my 1972 for 24 years now and it has never let me down. Power is more than adequate and I donāt care much about MPG.
The key reliability with the v12 is not the engine but the ancillaries: ignition, alternator, starter and fuel pump. I took care of all that years so the car has been bullet proof in well over 100k miles.
Yes the original slush box is pretty bad, I converted to a 5 speee right after getting the car back in 99.
As to throwing a V8 in thereā¦ I donāt see the point. Why downgrade and hurt the car value.
Hi
My name is Bill and I have been posting lately about the different conversions. I have the 71 series 3 with 5 speed. One of my clients purchased a 73 with 4 speed. The car had many problems and was very incomplete. We replaced many missing and bad parts, including resurrecting the AC, and the charging system with the conversion from Moss Mtrs. It got new starter, ignition, cooling system, and 5 speed. With the exception of the 5 speed the car has really come around. It sounds like your car could stand some of the attention my customerās car got. It also sounds like your car is automatic, so selling you on 5 speed is a mute point. So this is what we did a few month ago to his car. We removed the engine, addressed the engine leaks, like valve cover gaskets, cam feed lines, exhaust system issues, gaskets, one broken manifold, new manifold studs. I suspect that your engine rear main seal is leaking along with the seals on the transmission. Al of these things are pretty common problems with a car that is 50 years old. I wouldnt go changing to GM engine and transmission and I believe that the value of you car would be better protected if you kept it Jaguar. Things like the SU conversion are really nice. I have them on my car and iam waiting for delivery of the conversion for my customers car. It makes a huge difference. I get about 20 mpg on the highway, and no hot start problems. You might not see quite as good mileage not having that 5 th gear. Remember that its only turning about 1800 rpm at 65 mph. My wife and I have been able to take this car on extended road trips without any problems, well almost no problems. After
all its still a Jaguar.
Let me know if I can help.
You say you are not a mechanic and you need to find a good one to do your work. I tend to see that most people who do conversions, either to EFI alone, or a complete engine swap to a modern engine, do the work themselves because they enjoy the challenge. It seems to me to pay someone to do either would be very expense. I assume it would involve a lot of custom work, often involving hours of āfine tuningā to get it to run as you would like. And then once completed, you now have a āone offā car. It seems many people struggle to find a good shop to work on their āstandardā E types, a car that has been around for years and there are manuals available. You will now be attempting to find a shop that will work on a one off with no manuals. And every time some work is needed, the shop must try to figure out what in the world they are looking at before they can even attempt to repair the problem. And to gain what? The S3 V12 as it left the factory was a very nice running car.
Just my opinion, but I would stay with basic stock. A conversion by others sounds like a never ending nightmare.
Tom
That would be my opinion as well. Properly repaired, a V12 Jaguar can be about as reliable as any of the options you are considering.
You are wise to seek the opinions of others regarding the pros and cons of the different options, but whichever path you choose do it because itās what you want to do, not what someone else thinks you should do. And above all, have fun with the car.
TY for your response. If I was still physically capable, I would dive into this XKE. I am not. There is not enough titanium to put me right.
If I cannot find a guy to replace my guy who left, I will probably just sell the car. If I canāt trust it to get me there and back, I do not want to own it.
There has to be some good classic Jaguar guys in Southern California. A place to start if you donāt get any recommendations here would be to check with the local Jaguar club, if my memory is right my there is a San Diego Jaguar Club. Finding the right shop is critical Which is why I drive 60 miles to get my car worked on
Alternatively as someone mentioned, it may be worth sending the car to a real specialist with experience in EFI conversions. You donāt want this done by sometime who is learning on your dime.
The go-to guy for a turnkey EFI installation on the Jaguar V-12 would be Harry Fulford with E-Type America. He has recently re-located his business from California to Texas (bad for you; good for me). He returns to California quite often, and I have no doubt he could make arrangements to collect your car there and return it when finished. You would do well to contact him to evaluate your alternatives, and the costs involved.
I have no affiliation with E-Type America, other than being a satisfied customerā¦ yada yada yada.
Word of warning- the ZF 5HP24 transmission has some fatal flaws if not corrected/updated the trans will fail around 70K miles. Weak A clutch basket, crappy F clutch seal, weak valve body. These can be fixed by a competent auto transmission mechanic.
Ask me how I knowā¦
