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Author: Subject: V12 Jaguar engines
r1_pete

posted on 5/11/09 at 03:45 PM Reply With Quote
V12 Jaguar engines

I'm on the lookout for a 2+2 E Type Jaguar, I had a 4.2 straight 6 in mind, but I've come across a V12, I'd have dismissed it, but its got a manual box, and have a couple of questions for anyone with any knowledge of these engines:

What is the reliability like, are there any weaknesses.

What do they sound like? If I can get the V burble then it might just swing it.

BTW yes I can probably live with 12 mpg for a weekend toy.






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James

posted on 5/11/09 at 05:07 PM Reply With Quote
The Practical Performance Car magazine issue previous to the current one has a buyers guide for them.

Lovely looking cars!!!!





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mark chandler

posted on 5/11/09 at 05:27 PM Reply With Quote
12 mpg may be generous on carbs, they are strong engines with wet liners, you may suffer head gasket issues, they are derived from racing engines so features such as OHC on these were very special in the day.

Something this old will have rope seals, the pre HE engines such as an E type have flat pistons so although a direct swap with the later engine is possible, moving parts across may not be.

From the two cars that I have had, a HE XJS and V12 series III XJ6 the engines were a little different between the cars, oil pumps on LHS looked different so they did keep playing with them.

Best sound in the world, v12 jag with straight through exhausts canning it through the Dartford tunnel….. they rev high as really 2 x 2.6litre straight six engines.

Power delivery is fantastic, described as turbine smooth, if it has dropped a cylinder and you have not driven one you will struggle to notice, the test is to dangle a 5 pound note behind each exhaust, if it flaps about then suspect something amiss.

The straight 6’s are really good though, friend had a 3.8 that was one quick car but it had been fettled with a little.

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britishtrident

posted on 5/11/09 at 05:32 PM Reply With Quote
It sounds like a proper engine --- as smooth as silk not like a rough old V8, clutch is very heavy as you might expect and the 4 speed scynchro gearbox although better than the old Jag Moss box is still very old fashioned.

No real engine or transmision faults but like any other E Type really not that nice to drive.

Keeping mind if you need to do major work to the engine and gearbox it needs heavy lifting gear.

Brakes and suspension can need a lot of work, dropping and fitting new bearings and bushes to the rear suspension is a major job not aided by the weight of the rear axle assembly.

Diff oil seals tend to leak onto the the inboard rear brakes.





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omega0684

posted on 5/11/09 at 06:01 PM Reply With Quote
just buy it, you only live once! if you can't put it in a car then make a go-kart





I love Pinto's, even if i did get mine from P&O!

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steve m

posted on 5/11/09 at 07:28 PM Reply With Quote
and this is a LOCOST forum ??

I love E-type's , the most beutifull car ever built

I bought a VERY rotten 3.8 flat floor drophead, in 1992/3? for £3600 from essex, original car, in poor to poor condition, yet complete, a friend of a friend bought it for £6k 2 months after

AND it is still notroadworthy, despite £50k being spent, and still needs some paint, carmen red, the only colour ???

Thank F#*k i sold it !!!

oops i meant £3500
as i made 2.5 grand in two months ti nothing

[Edited on 5/11/09 by steve m]

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steve m

posted on 5/11/09 at 07:35 PM Reply With Quote
"No real engine or transmision faults but like any other E Type really not that nice to drive. "

Are we talking about an e-type ????

try a 1969 dino, then AWFULL
light stearing, vague handling, £2k for 2 sills, etc etc £145 for two windscreen wipers,

thats why i bought an e-type


series1i brakes were crap thou !!

hahhahahaha

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02GF74

posted on 5/11/09 at 08:31 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by steve m

I love E-type's , the most beutifull car ever built




sorry but it is not.






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steve m

posted on 5/11/09 at 09:38 PM Reply With Quote
so what car is ??????????????
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russbost

posted on 5/11/09 at 10:33 PM Reply With Quote
I've had 2 V12's, both in XJS's, one HE & one pre HE, both injected. They are the smoothest thing on the planet, even the old one makes a Rolls Royce V8 sound & feel like the bucket of poo it is! Power delivery is fantastic, it just keeps on coming all the way thro' the rev range the phrase "pulls like a train" ia truly applicable in this case.
The engines are so understressed they are pretty bomb proof as long as they aren't run out of oil or water.
Most likely problems are oil leaks or head gasket probs due to liners moving or old seals leaking. Minor oil seepage is only to be expected, but major oil leaks or head gasket probs are likely to prove very time consuming & expensive.

If it looks halfway reasonable then go for it!!!





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Don't forget Stainless Steel Braided brake hoses, made to your exact requirements in any of around 16 colours. http://shop.ebay.co.uk/furoreproducts/m.html?_dmd=1&_ipg=50&_sop=12&_rdc=1

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morcus

posted on 6/11/09 at 02:03 AM Reply With Quote
I know a couple of people that had them in XJSs and their only complaints was fuel consumption.

V12 means it a later model which means its less desirable. I also vote that, whilst beautiful, the E-Type is not the best looking car ever made, Citroen SM all the way.

Also, how can you have a v12 in an XJ6? the number is how many cylinders you've got.

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MikeRJ

posted on 6/11/09 at 08:53 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by morcus
the E-Type is not the best looking car ever made, Citroen SM all the way


Yuck!

The Alfa 33 Stradale is the best looker

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r1_pete

posted on 6/11/09 at 10:24 AM Reply With Quote
Thanks for the advice folks, think I'll give it a shot...

Its strange that the later more refined cars less desirable than the early models, the later ones must be better to drive on modern roads.

I think the E Type coupe is one of the nicest cars ever built, I just dont like the roadster, unfortunately due to me tall, it has to be the 2+2, had a coupe in 1979, that was cramped, but very pretty.






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02GF74

posted on 6/11/09 at 11:49 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by steve m
so what car is ??????????????


didn't want to get drawn into this as it could end up in fisticuffs and tears!!!

this for starters






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morcus

posted on 6/11/09 at 08:30 PM Reply With Quote
The Coupe is Far uglier than the the roadster and the door is hindged on the side.

I don't rate that porsche on looks.

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MikeRJ

posted on 6/11/09 at 11:49 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by morcus
I don't rate that porsche on looks.


Me either, but it's all subjective of course. That said the Alfa is clearly the best looking car ever made



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morcus

posted on 7/11/09 at 07:51 PM Reply With Quote
I do love an alfa but the SM still does more for me, even more so when I imagine how good the ride quality would be on the hydranuematic suspension, with the masseratti V6 engine wailing, wrapped in a leather cocoon.

If only Citroen went a tiny bit more crazy and made a C6 coupé......

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Ninehigh

posted on 8/11/09 at 03:13 AM Reply With Quote
If you're still looking and willing to travel a bit there's a 4.2 E-type for sale near me. Iirc it was about £24k, had "535" miles on the clock and looked (from my quick wander round it) pretty much spot on.






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