OT : Anyone own a Jag they're planning on converting?

[myles]

We tackled that problem too. There was one very small leak from an old fuel injector fuel line. We replaced all flexible fuel lines in the engine bay. The old ones just snapped off. It also got the injectors fully cleaned, tested and serviced, injector o-rings, rotor, cap, plugs and leads. And there is nothing like having to take the bonnet off to do the job.

It was a day and halfs work all up.

[Jon K]

Is there anyway to make a solid fuel rail with conventional bosch flanges?

[gale]

I've never owned a jag but I must confess I've lusted after them on numerous occasions & help a friend with his 89 XJS once in awhile. Somewhere around 88 or 89, the V-12 got somewhat sorted out (with noted exceptions). An outfit in Knoxville puts together a kit to put either a 5 or 6 speed Tremec trans in them and they have a demo XJS that's a blast! -- An XJS with a stick, now that's fun:

http://www.keislerauto.com/

Here's another resource by Kirby Palm that is a must-read for any Jag DIY owner, download his .doc file "Experience in a Book":

http://www.nettally.com/palmk/jaguar.html

If you climb the learning curve like we all have with our bimmers, and tend to regular maintenance and inspections, there's no reason why a newer one can't be reliable. Yes, the XJS is hard to work on, but so are 750's or e31's.

The 95-97 straight XJ6's are pretty decent for reliability I'm told & switched to the Motronic DME & Bosch injectors. They have the typical cold solder joint problems for windows & cruise control, but we never have LKM or Sword or Mustard relay problems with our BMW's now do we? The Jag in-line 6 long block has always been solid & a strong performer, it's all the niggling bolt-on accessories that makes them a nightmare, not to mention the dreaded Lucas prince of darkness. (don't get me started).

In 98 they went to the V-8, somehow Jag did Nikasil right, never hear about problems with their cylinder walls (nor Porsche either). I think it was around 96 that Ford started interjecting their influence. I don't care at all for the new X-type (cough--Ford Taurus look-alike with a funny nose).

I rarely hear about driveshaft or rotted muffler problems, but on the other hand, I wouldn't want to deal with inboard brakes on a regular basis.

Can't see myself in an XJ until I'm old enough to wear a sweater & a beret & smoke a pipe, but I must admit the ride is nice. I'm double-nickel now, will I ever be old enough? Let's hope not.

An older model with a SBC could be lots of fun but they tend to have cooling problems. E-types have to be one of THE prettiest classics of all time when it comes to styling, but everyone who has ever owned one still curses it to this day. Pick your poison. I may take up another marque one day but can't envision I'll ever be without my trusty bimmer.

Again, ignore my ramblings -- I must be bored tonite.

[winfred]

it's easyer to replace the injectors (old as **** and probably need it anyway) or cut the hoses off and replace with screw clamps and fuel injection line

Is there anyway to make a solid fuel rail with conventional bosch flanges?

[Bill R.]

both xjs's and 750 v12's, there's no comparison. The 750 is much nicer to work on and is far less likely to need work. My brother in law, Kevin did a
xjs 6 speed conversion using a jaguar factory racing 6 speed box. It was still a pig after it was done, then they put an ls7 crate motor in it. It was then not bad. The owner kept it only about 6 months after that and got rid of it.

As far as the Nikasil blocks go, Jaguar had as many problems if not more than bmw and they are still having problems with them... the amazing thing is that they knew of bmw's history of trouble with it before they ever produced it. Do a search on the internet for Jaguar nikasil problems and you'll come up with a ton of them.

I've never owned a jag but I must confess I've lusted after them on numerous occasions & help a friend with his 89 XJS once in awhile. Somewhere around 88 or 89, the V-12 got somewhat sorted out (with noted exceptions). An outfit in Knoxville puts together a kit to put either a 5 or 6 speed Tremec trans in them and they have a demo XJS that's a blast! -- An XJS with a stick, now that's fun:

http://www.keislerauto.com/

Here's another resource by Kirby Palm that is a must-read for any Jag DIY owner, download his .doc file "Experience in a Book":

http://www.nettally.com/palmk/jaguar.html

If you climb the learning curve like we all have with our bimmers, and tend to regular maintenance and inspections, there's no reason why a newer one can't be reliable. Yes, the XJS is hard to work on, but so are 750's or e31's.

The 95-97 straight XJ6's are pretty decent for reliability I'm told & switched to the Motronic DME & Bosch injectors. They have the typical cold solder joint problems for windows & cruise control, but we never have LKM or Sword or Mustard relay problems with our BMW's now do we? The Jag in-line 6 long block has always been solid & a strong performer, it's all the niggling bolt-on accessories that makes them a nightmare, not to mention the dreaded Lucas prince of darkness. (don't get me started).

In 98 they went to the V-8, somehow Jag did Nikasil right, never hear about problems with their cylinder walls (nor Porsche either). I think it was around 96 that Ford started interjecting their influence. I don't care at all for the new X-type (cough--Ford Taurus look-alike with a funny nose).

I rarely hear about driveshaft or rotted muffler problems, but on the other hand, I wouldn't want to deal with inboard brakes on a regular basis.

Can't see myself in an XJ until I'm old enough to wear a sweater & a beret & smoke a pipe, but I must admit the ride is nice. I'm double-nickel now, will I ever be old enough? Let's hope not.

An older model with a SBC could be lots of fun but they tend to have cooling problems. E-types have to be one of THE prettiest classics of all time when it comes to styling, but everyone who has ever owned one still curses it to this day. Pick your poison. I may take up another marque one day but can't envision I'll ever be without my trusty bimmer.

Again, ignore my ramblings -- I must be bored tonite.

[winfred]

hey bill did ford **** up jag as badly as volvo? the newer volvos ssssssssssssssssssuck 40s 80s and the later 70s blow chunks, the 850s and 960s are crap compared to 240/740/940s but are less of a pain then the later cars

[Bill R.]

reliability and general maintenance.. They are a better product but they lost something in the mix.. Whereas i have to agree with you on Volvo.. They just got worse.

hey bill did ford **** up jag as badly as volvo? the newer volvos ssssssssssssssssssuck 40s 80s and the later 70s blow chunks, the 850s and 960s are crap compared to 240/740/940s but are less of a pain then the later cars

[aston_jag_tech]

Jaguar, Aston Martin and Land Rover(the PAG) is up for grabs for Nissan, Renault, Hyundai, toyota...I wonder whos going to buy the group.

Ive seen alot of problems with the Nikasil engines. I really like the 03 and up jags, handling improved, engines, transmissions(ZF) and some other stuff.

The X-Type, jesus, thats embarrassing. The driveline is the same as a ford escape, minor changes but very very similar.

[Jon K]

My friend raves about his moms X-type 2.5L but having driven them I could tell INSTANTLY it was a ford awd drivetrain... its so incredibly harsh. People are so naive they confuse "sporty" with "harsh". It's almost unfair to them - the dealer tells them its a jaguar chassis/drivetrain with AWD for comfort etc etc

[Bill R.]

x type is based on.

Jaguar, Aston Martin and Land Rover(the PAG) is up for grabs for Nissan, Renault, Hyundai, toyota...I wonder whos going to buy the group.

Ive seen alot of problems with the Nikasil engines. I really like the 03 and up jags, handling improved, engines, transmissions(ZF) and some other stuff.

The X-Type, jesus, thats embarrassing. The driveline is the same as a ford escape, minor changes but very very similar.