The most expensive car I've ever owned.

I'm sorry, I haven't kept up. Are you still under the $2000 budget?  

In reply to Indy - Guy :

Thanks! 

In reply to frenchyd :

I am.

So far.

:)

In reply to a_florida_man :

Any chance you'll have it there next years challenge? It would be fun to see a modern Jag vs a modified old one.  
     Although last night she was talking about how much her new pay raise was and maybe she'll wait until the following year to retire.  (She'd  turn 70, get more social security  and the retirement fund ••••• ) 

In reply to frenchyd :

Im shooting for the next Challenge, in May of this year.

I assume you mean 2024?

Who knows????

I agree it would be fun.

Just read your whole thread front to back.  Nice work!

I like the diligent approach and the armchair part failure analysis.  I've learned things for sure.

TVR Scott said:

Just read your whole thread front to back.  Nice work!

I like the diligent approach and the armchair part failure analysis.  I've learned things for sure.

Thanks... I'm glad it was entertaining. It can be fun to read along as the layers of the onion are pealed back, for sure. I've noticed that on many threads here.

Updating my old build threads.

Yes, I still have it!

It's just slipped REALLY far down the project list.....not that anyone was asking... lol

Getting really close to this one being back on deck.

Checked it out today for the 1st time in a long time.

It's been outside everyday since I got it, and it's still dry inside.

Impressive.

I think it has a lot to do with keeping a fresh battery in it as it has the deal where the windows crack open and close when you open and close the doors.

Soon.

Finally, with the 65 Ford sold and out of the way, I have a plan to be assemble the short block this weekend.

All of the parts are unpacked and sorted...

Merciful gods of project inertia, don't fail me now... lol...

In reply to a_florida_man :

I'm glad I could do my part in getting this project back on the front burner. 

frenchyd said:

In reply to a_florida_man :

If you look there should be a vent tube for the battery.  When Jaguar put the battery in the trunk there was a special battery with a vent tube to keep acids out of the trunk.   It's obvious from appearance that has been neglected.   Lacking that you might get a boat battery box to capture vented acids.  

NA and NB Miatas also have the battery in the trunk, with vent tubes from the battery that connect and then vent through the floor.

Crankshaft is in. 

All of the new bolt heads here were TTY, and they account for a substantial part of the repair costs.

Notice too that there are no individual main caps. This engine uses a midplate with all of the main bearing caps being integral.

Upon completion of the 1st set of steps in tightening the bolts, you could NOT turn the crankshaft.

Luckily I sort of expected this, and faithfully soldiered on. After the end of the 8 step, with all fasteners tightened, the crank turned very smoothly by hand,

All main bearing clearances were .0015 to less than .0020, which was within new engine specs.

Oil pump mounted. 

The biggest time sink here has been cleaning and checking old parts.

Jaguar will tell you to install the pistons and rods before the mid plate (think main bearing caps).

To do so you are to use a special too which is basically a set of individual caps.

I checked and you CAN install the pistons with the midplate on, so I installed the mid plate and THEN started piston installs.

It really feels good to have finally started piston installs.

All eight!

Sweet progress!

Sump Plate cleaned and windage tray installed.

Sump plate installed with pickup and oil cooler thermostat.

We now have a short block.

It is a tall engine!

If you live in Florida, you will underestand you do this even if it's going to be one night !

Phase II

This should be the last of the "overhaul" work, after this it should be cleaning and assembly.

Here's a question... what is the best way to clean these air to water inter coolers. They have a LOT of old oil blow by in them. I'm thinking a long soak in something like simple green. It has to be safe on alluminum and hard on oil.

Also on deck... the blower. It gets a new bearing and a good cleaning.

And last but certainly not least.. the heads. Hoping for a simple clean, inspect, and reassemble with new valve seals. Anyone here do these style of mechanical lifter shim lash adjustment before. Any tips?

In reply to a_florida_man :

I've been researching how to clean my aluminum EGR cooler, and came across Simple Green Pro HD (which is, oddly enough, purple).  Home Depot 

Everything else I looked at was not recommended for more than a brief interaction with aluminum. I should be trying it myself later this week. 

In reply to Sunflowerbw :

Thanks, Ill look into that.

Im thinking a power washing with the strong stuff (purple power) and then a long soak in the simple Green.

In reply to Sunflowerbw :

This is the stuff to use,

Berryman Chem-Dip 5 Gallon Parts Cleaner - 0905

Ive had a 5 gallon bucket of it hanging around for years, and I just realized the inter coolers will fit in there one at a time!

100% the way to go.

My old can is only half full after years of use.

I'll buy a new can this weekend and post the results.