A couple of weeks ago I was still unable to start the new engine I
decided to pick up a spare distributor and ignition amplifier from
a fellow lister and bought a new Lucas coil DBL198. I installed
the new coil, removed the ballast resistor, and installed the spare
distributor and the engine starts right up. I suspect my old coil
and/or ballast resitor. I’ll refit my previous distributor soon to
check that it is OK, but I’m inclined to use the spare one since it
has vacuum advance and the previous one is only mechanical advance.
Now I have to just sort out the usual new engine run-in bugs, like
why is my oil pressure guage barely readin any pressure. I’ve run
the engine for several 30 second intervals and after topping up the
700R4 trans I backed the car out of the garage for a well deserved
car wash.
Thanks for all of your help on my past posts.
Dave Harlan
72 XJ6
Kentfield, CA–
David Harlan
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–
Either put a direct reading oil pressure sender in the oil galley and check the
pressure with a non-electric gauge, or the quick way is to open the oil fill cap on the
cam cover and look for fresh oil lying in the top around the cam.
If you have oil pressure it will get into the areas around the cam and sit there. If its
dry or almost dry up there then go the direct reading oil pressure gauge route and
confirm that you have pressure.
Glad to hear another S1 up and running!
JoeOn 24 Mar 2007 at 22:45, David Harlan wrote:
A couple of weeks ago I was still unable to start the new engine I
decided to pick up a spare distributor and ignition amplifier from
a fellow lister and bought a new Lucas coil DBL198. I installed
the new coil, removed the ballast resistor, and installed the spare
distributor and the engine starts right up. I suspect my old coil
and/or ballast resitor. I’ll refit my previous distributor soon to
check that it is OK, but I’m inclined to use the spare one since it
has vacuum advance and the previous one is only mechanical advance.
Now I have to just sort out the usual new engine run-in bugs, like
why is my oil pressure guage barely readin any pressure. I’ve run
the engine for several 30 second intervals and after topping up the
700R4 trans I backed the car out of the garage for a well deserved
car wash.
Thanks for all of your help on my past posts.
Dave Harlan
In reply to a message from David Harlan sent Sat 24 Mar 2007:
David:
Congratulations. It sure feels good when thyey start right up!
I would leave ignition as it is. It works, can’t get better thn
that.
I hear tell JAGUAR oil pressure senders are weird. Try another
sender or plumb in an after market sender & guage.
Or, as all else in JAGUARDOM, check clean lube and tighten the
connectors. I don’t want to alarm you, but even, just to feel
better, work on it until you are conficdent you have good oil
pressure.
Photo’s & narrative!!
Good Luck!
Carl–
The original message included these comments:
Now I have to just sort out the usual new engine run-in bugs, like
why is my oil pressure guage barely readin any pressure. I’ve run
the engine for several 30 second intervals and after topping up the
700R4 trans I backed the car out of the garage for a well deserved
car wash.
I’ll refit my previous distributor soon to
check that it is OK, but I’m inclined to use the spare one since it
has vacuum advance and the previous one is only mechanical advance.
Now I have to just sort out the usual new engine run-in bugs, like
why is my oil pressure guage barely readin any pressure.
To be addressed pretty pronto, David…!
When you say the ‘new engine’ does it mean a competently overhauled one
or of unknow quality? If the former it is most likely the ois pressure
sender - it’s not all that reliable. An independant pressure check
should be carried out if necessary - the warning light sensor only trips
at a very low pressure, so…
If the engine’s history is unknown a compression check is a good idea -
it may show wear…
Retesting the old set-up is not a bad idea, it will clarify if you have
a good spare - or if something else is involved. Somewhat puzzled by
your remark on no vacuum advance on the original distributor. Never knew
one without it - it’s a rather important factor…
In reply to a message from Frank Andersen sent Sun 25 Mar 2007:
Good oil pressure is now indicated after fitting a spare sender
unit. I’ve now driven it around the block a few times and the
engine, carbs, ignitiion seem fine. 700R4 trans was reving too
much prior to shifting, but adding more fluid seems to have helped,
and will check again with another test drive later today. I’ll run
it with 30w Kendall non-detergent oil for a few hundred miles as an
old time mechanic suggested once.
Frank: The previous distributor was a Lucas 43DM6 and not likely
from a Jaguar; but it worked fine in my old engine (although so did
the old coil and ballast resistor). It appears identical to the
45DM6 except there is a blanking plate where the vacuum advance
mechanism fits in. It would be interesting to plot their advance
curves on a machine and compare.
Its great to have a forum like this to compare notes. After
driving the Honda Pilot almost exclusively for the last year it
will be nice to get back into the Jag.
I’ll add some pics soon of the: triple HD8’s, modified air cleaner,
oil cooler and thermostat, 1’’ sway bar, 700r4 trans, GM alternator,
the detailed engine compartment which shines more than the outside,
and the new bulkhead stainless sheeting.
Dave Harlan
72 XJ6 Black/Cinnamon
Kentfield, CA–
The original message included these comments:
why is my oil pressure guage barely readin any pressure.
To be addressed pretty pronto, David…!
Retesting the old set-up is not a bad idea, it will clarify if you have
a good spare - or if something else is involved. Somewhat puzzled by
your remark on no vacuum advance on the original distributor. Never knew
one without it - it’s a rather important factor…
Frank
xj6 85 Sov Europe (UK/NZ)
In reply to a message from David Harlan sent Sun 25 Mar 2007:
David:
One obstacle over come.
I seem to recall that the GM 700 needs a TVR control from the
throttle to regulate pressure and that it is a very sensitive thing
to get right and the consequences of not being right are not good.
Could you be getting slippage because of inadeqyuate line pressure.
I am far from an esxpert in theis, but slipping always is a red
flag to check out!
What else could have a Lucas six distributor, a big Healy?
Most think that non detergent break in oils are a thing of the
past. But, it is not likely to cause any harm. I hope this doesn’t
start an oil thread, but if so, bring it on!
Alex may be interested in how your GM alternator fits in.
We are looking for pictures!!
Great work
Carl–
The original message included these comments:
Good oil pressure is now indicated after fitting a spare sender
unit. I’ve now driven it around the block a few times and the
engine, carbs, ignitiion seem fine. 700R4 trans was reving too
much prior to shifting, but adding more fluid seems to have helped,
and will check again with another test drive later today. I’ll run
it with 30w Kendall non-detergent oil for a few hundred miles as an
old time mechanic suggested once.
Frank: The previous distributor was a Lucas 43DM6 and not likely
from a Jaguar; but it worked fine in my old engine (although so did
the old coil and ballast resistor). It appears identical to the
45DM6 except there is a blanking plate where the vacuum advance
