My 1976 Jaguar XJ12 project

I haven't touched the Jag in months. Bit of leather balm on the seats occasionally.


Today I put the new coolant in the Merc. Then I went to change the oil but hit a snag. The sump plug was rounded off so the spanner wouldn't grab. Had a look for my vise grips but couldn't find them. Doesn't matter. Tomorrow I'll buy a new sump plug and do the oil change then. I soon found something else to do. The air filter cover looks a bit tatty so took that off to give it a paint. With that off I was able to clean the throttle body and degrease and clean everything I could see. I hate oily engine bays. So that's about it for today.

henry - wind up windows??? This is a 1988 Mercedes Coupe. It doesn't have wind up windows. This cost the equivalent of a quarter of a mill in todays money. If only they had an emoticon for INDIGNANT I would be clicking on it right now!!

henry - wind up windows???

Should watch following in total ..but its relevancy to wind up windows is at 6mins and 20 seconds...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Za8BtLgKv8

Slow progress again on Merc this week. Found the vise grips and proceeded to use on rounded off sump plug. No good. Tried stilsons. Tried hammer and chisel just a little then thought fxck it. This thing needs a nut welded to it. I don't have a welder. So I bought a fluid extraction pump off ebay for $27. I've been meaning to get one anyway. It's a small electric pump runs on 12V. You stick the hose down the dipstick into the sump and the hose at the other end into a container. Switch it on and it drains your sump for you. It's pretty slow but there's things to do while you wait. In my case I had to remove the rocker cover. A straightforward job on the Merc. No annoying fuel injection manifold on top. Just 8 bolts and a breather hose and it's off. I'll clean it up and paint it. Changed the oil filter. Very easy,access from the top.

TOP TIP for all car restorers. If you've got a spray can of engine enamel in one hand and a beer in the other just stop and think before deciding which one to shake!!

Oh dear.

Yes. It was a shock.

Finally changed the oil the other day. I painted the rocker cover which was an absolute nightmare. I'd previously painted the air filter housing. Both jobs really needed to be done. With the valve cover off I took the opportunity to indulge in some more cleaning. While there I noticed the crankcase breather hose was leaking oil so I figured I'd replace the crappy clamp with a proper hose clamp,a jubilee clamp. Anyway this hose is 28 years old and brittle and my attempts to remove the clamp resulted in the end of the hose breaking off. Had to go to the Mercedes dealer to get a new one for $20. Anyway finally got the newly painted rocker cover back on complete with brand new thick rubber gasket. Oil filter screws in from the top. Then the freshly painted air filter housing replete with brand new air filter. Opened the door to the coupe,Tommy laboriously climbed in followed by me. Turned the key and it fired up immediately. Smooth. Went for a a quick back street drive to check for leaks. It's a lovely ride in this old thing. Nothing like a Holden V8 Ute!! Anyway no leaks!! Result.

Bought some Bowdens Wheely Clean today and used on the Mercedes. The stuff STINKS but works a treat. Recommend.

Changed transmission fluid and filter and sump gasket on the Merc. First step is to get a socket on the crankshaft nut at the front of the engine. Have to remove the fan shroud to get to it but it's not that hard. Then get under the car and turn the crankshaft while looking up at the torque converter. Eventually the drain plug will come into view. Undo and drain transmission fluid into a container. You get about 2 or 2.5 litres. Next undo drain plug on trans pan. Drain that out maybe get a little more fluid. Undo six bolts and remove pan. Then remove filter. I painted the sump pan because I can't help myself and put on a new gasket. Put new filter in and replace. Pour lovely new transmission fluid in. Go through the gears,test drive,check level etc. No problems. Probably cost 400+ at a Merc dealer.

Then the best bit. Drink 12 Pale Ales then take Tommy for midnight walk and pour 6 litres of ATF on some cxnt's garden bed!!

OK. Now the home renos are done I can get back to the cars. I changed the fuel filter on the Merc and took it up for it's blue slip. Failed due to an oil leak. I just degreased underneath and took it back and it passed. Got it registered. It's a lovely car to drive as you'd expect from a Merc that cost the same as a house back in the day. I'm undecided how far to take the restoration. Needs a respray desperately but I think I'll wait and see how reliable it is. I think it's a cool car just to use as a daily as is. Wait and see.


Anyway there's been an unpleasant development. I think the ignition barrel is shot. The key won't turn. I've ordered a new key but that's a longshot. It's a hassle big time.

I've noticed on my multiple changing of batteries on the Merc that the battery tray is a bit rusted and so is the surrounding area. So I removed the battery tray and attacked it with a wire wheel and prepared all the surfaces and now everything is coated in por-15 so rust is no longer an issue.

Got the new key today and tried it. JACKPOT!! It doesn't work. It looks like I'll have to do it the hard way. If it would just turn far enough for the dash lights to come on you can stick a sharpened coathanger thingy in the face of the lock and it releases the barrel. Unfortunately it doesn't turn that far. Option 2 is to cut the surround away with a dremel and remove a plate and then it will turn. It sounds like a nightmare job. I haven't got a dremel either so that's more money. I read on the net that at the first sign of trouble you should replace the ignition barrel before it becomes a problem. Hindsight!

Went to Bunnings today and bought a Dremel. $49 plus an attachment for 19.95 and a pack of cutting wheels for 17.95. The instructions are absolutely useless had to get on google to figure out how to use it. Anyway first I had to remove the lower dash. Got on google to figure it out. It's not too hard the only bit that's of concern is disconnecting the handbrake.

The Dremel is absolutely brilliant. When I looked at the cutting disc which is only about one inch diameter I was extremely sceptical and wondered how many blades it would take to cut through a Mercedes Benz security shroud. Answer is one and a half.

So I cut off the security cover. Took about 5 minutes. Then I put a screwdriver into the lock face and jammed it off. Now the key turns and I can start the car. I'll buy a new ignition barrel and key for $70 off ebay. That would be $200 off a MB dealer. I saw it on a USA parts supplier on the web for $12. Anyway I'm happy I've got the car up and running there's things I want to do and I need it to be on the flat in the driveway to do them.

I put the lower dash back on and reconnected the handbrake. I'm not too bothered about the ignition now it works. Other jobs take priority. Gave the brake fluid a flush today it must be at least three years old but likely to be even older than that. Put some paint on the rear suspension as well while I was there.

This was my SS back in the day. Sold it to a mate that doesn't look after it at all.

The ute up on the ramps getting it's 5k oil change.

Battery tray before and after painted with por-15.

Under the battery tray was getting a bit rusty so hit that with por-15 as well.

Various pics of nightmare ignition barrel job.

Bluey and Jessie came over at Easter. Here they all enjoy a pig's ear.

If I had about 5 acres or more I would buy every Holden V8 I could lay my hands on. They will all go up in value after 2017. Already previously valueless V8s such as VN SS have risen sharply in price.

I gave the VW Golf to my daughter who within a month had a prang. She drove into a parked car when blinded by 7am sunshine. I took it to a couple of smash repairers who weren't too keen on fixing it or tried to dissuade me by saying it would cost thousands. I don't know what's wrong with tradies these days. So fxck it I'll do it myself. Bought a bumper and front guard from a wreckers and a new aftermarket headlamp. It still needs a bonnet but it's not too bad at all.

The Merc has that annoying thing where it doesn't start in Park. Turn the key and nothing happens. Shift into neutral and it starts. It's not the end of the world but invariably sometimes I forget this quirk and it all becomes a bit irritating. So I asked Dr Google and he said I needed a Neutral Safety Switch. Checked with a Merc dealership and they wanted $180. So I got one off ebay from USA for $40. Took a bit over 2 weeks to arrive. That's cool I'm in no hurry. So I thoroughly checked out how to replace it on the net. The switch is on the side of the transmission so I put the car up on ramps and got under it. Remove an electical plug and a couple of 10mm bolts and replace. Sounds easy but it's not. Took over two hours. The access to the bolts is very difficult. Laying on my back under a car makes me feel crook after a while. Anyway job done for $40 would've cost minimum $300 at a mechanic and now it starts in Park.





That's a Neutral Safety Switch.

Since I bought the Merc I've always heard this annoying scraping sound from the rear brake callipers or the handbrake. This is quite common in cars that have sat idle for long periods and I was hoping it would go away now the car is being used but unfortunately no. The rotors looked pretty sh1t so I ordered some new ones off ebay along with some new brake pads. These things are cheap as these days.

The following photos show the process. Jack up the car and remove the wheels. Remove the brake callipers and then the rotors. Grease up the new pads. Put it all back together. Sounds easy and it is but still takes an amateur like me most of a day. There's always something hard. One calliper bolt took about a half hour to get off for example. Stuff like that. I'd do it in half the time tomorrow but that's not gonna happen.

Tommy kept a close eye on proceedings at all times.

I like this thread....and the passion in it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3nN3Xo42Zs

I have spent so long replacing the heater tap on the red Jag. It's gotta be the most fiddly job I've ever done. It's on the centre of the firewall and the heater hoses go on it. Access to it is terrible. It's been so frustrating I feel like screaming and crying. It's hard to believe how long it's taken me. Anyway it's done now and I've replaced the coolant with lovely new stuff so I'm relieved. I won't be doing much more to the red Jag in the short term. I'll be concentrating on putting the yellow one back together.

Here is a pic of the heater tap. Old and new.

Heading for 2 years and you're still working on the hunk of junk ffs

I was tooling around on the web the other day when I saw an ad for some Jaguar Kent wheels that were an option for the series 2 XJ Jags. They're nothing special especially by today's standards but I like them and they were cheap. So I headed over to check 'em out. The dude lives at Centennial Park a fairly nice suburb. Reminded me of playing Rugby against Sydney Boys High in Centennial Park back in the day. SBH I don't think are in the comp anymore. Anyway. Young bloke had the wheels. He also had a love XJC coupe. Straight 6 4.2. They're usually V12s. Lovely car going up in value. Here is a video of one.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TMgIkx40tI.

He also had an E-type. Not in great nick but he was restoring it. I wish I had one.

Anyway here is a pic of the Kent wheels.

Tommy is in the photo because whoopi likes dogs.

There is a car segment on the radio I heard the other day. The bloke said a brake job on a Mercedes 'you're talking big dollars'. The job I did as described earlier cost me $140.

Yes, but their brake job will result in the car stopping when a pedal is depressed. Yours will require some Fred Flintstone action.

Kevin, is that you Kevin?

what is this new avatar drinking machine ? it looks disturbingly like a phallic symbol to these old eyes
ps: got some cobs from the local iga and i wouldn't say they were old but the cooking instructions were ... steep in llama milk before serving: Product of the incan community machu picchu.

It's a pic of me face first in the urinal at Wynyard Station. Try spec savers.

tasted like a Southwark i'm guessing ??

Last week I bought a 1989 Mercedes Benz 300E. I haven't got any photos but here is a link to what it looks like.

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=mercedes+benz+300e&rlz=1C1LDJZ_enAU499AU518&espv=2&biw=1024&bih=667&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwigmP732ujNAhXTQpQKHThmD-4QsAQIKQ

I paid $500 for it. The paint is in good nick as is the body but I had some concerns. Naturally I brought my own battery for inspection purposes. You'd be amazed how many sellers say 'oh it was working the other day. Must've gone flat.' My advice to them is get a battery that works because a car that runs is worth a lot more than one that doesn't. It took a while to get it going but once I did it sounded smooth.

I had to drive it home without ever having driven it before. I had no idea if the brakes worked. Luckily they do. What didn't work was the fuel pumps which meant that every time I was on a hill and pressed the accelerator nothing happened. In fact it would often stall. A fairly stressful 30 min drive home.

Anyway since then I got from ebay two fuel pumps and fitted them. I hate getting under a car on my back and working but it had to be done. Put some new spark plugs in as well. Fired it up and well...disappointing. Took a long time to kick over. Idle is very low feels like it will stall. Got on google and checked it out. So I cleaned the idle control valve and then looked at the over voltage protection relay. On the top is a 10amp fuse that was blown. Got one off another car. Tried to fire it up again and YES!! Not too bad. One more problem though is the accelerator pedal. Feels very soft and just wrong. I'm sure it's part of the problem. So with the air filter housing out of the way I check it out. Bloody Hell it's barely connected!! No wonder it's soft. I check out the coupe to see how it's meant to be and it's dead easy fix. Fire it up and BOOM!! It's perfect. Nice few hours work.

There is one problem though. While fitting the fuel pump I must have moved the hose from the bottom of the fuel tank a bit too much (remember this rubber hose must be 27 years old) and put a crack somewhere because there's a small leak. Oh well. Life wasn't meant to be easy.

Still deciding what to do with this car. Either fix it up for my son to use when

he comes back from the UK in a few months or do it up a bit and sell it. I'm going

to take a few bits and pieces off for the coupe. The wood trim on the console is

good and also the dashboard top. I can't lose with having only paid $500.

I was watching Wheeler Dealers the other day and Ed China was explaining the fuel injection

system of a 70s BMW when something suddenly struck me. Only a man could invent something

like that. Now I realise women are very intelligent. My sister,for example,makes me look

about as smart as a Fox Terrier. But I just can't see women ever having the inclination

to come up with a fuel injection system for a 70s BMW. I bet hardly any women ever watch

Wheeler Dealers. It just seems to me some men get obsessed with things out in their back

sheds that women find ridiculous and all of a sudden a bloke like Edison has invented

the electric light bulb.



Btw my sister couldn't drive a greasy stick up a bull's arse.

Currently undertaking a Major service of the Ute. Today changed fuel filter

and diff oil both fairly easy jobs. Am halfway through changing coolant and flush

also a simple job made harder by enviro-communists that prevent free men from disposing

of coolant in the most convenient manner. I have an excellent solution for old coolant

which I won't reveal here. Anyway tomorrow that should be done. Also replacing the thermostat

and top radiator hose while I'm at it. Spark plugs and ignition leads to be replaced.

Gearbox oil as well. I'll bleed the brakes and while the wheels are off will clean them

on the inside plus anything else I see. Re-paint the callipers. I'll also clean the

throttle body. Probably some other sh1t I can't think of right now. Wouldn't be dead

for quids!!

I mentioned earlier about buying a Mercedes Benz 300E to get some parts off and fix up a bit for my boy to use when he comes back from the UK.

The front seat had a tear in it so I found a 300SEL at the wreckers. It's a similar car. Bought a seat for $30. Fxcked around for a while trying to figure out how to do the swap. Finally decided to take the seat cushion and cover off and sawp it over.

The wood around the ashtray and console and aircon switches on the Coupe is all

very poor so I'm taking it off the sedan. I removed the radio while I was there

to find out the serial number. I don't have the radio code so I punched in the

number into a website and for 8pounds they gave me the code. Anyway swapped over

some trim so pretty happy.


Also found $15 in change in the ashtray of the sedan!!

I've had a bit of trouble with the Mercedes coupe lately. The car seemed fine on start up but after about 10 minutes would run rough at idle and would struggle to accelerate until eventually stalling. Couldn't start it again for about an hour. Then a repeat of what I've just described. So I hit google and tried the following. Got the fuel pump relay out of the sedan and swapped it. Didn't work. Same with the coil. Plugs are almost new. Fuel pumps new. Then took off the distributor cap. Lots of moisture in there and the rotor showing signs of corrosion. The previous owner changed the cap so it's nearly new. Anyway I ordered a new rotor and also put a bottle of fuel injector cleaner in the tank just in case. Good as gold now.

A little vid the missus made about polishing headlights.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biHHLCa2nqQ

Made an interesting and slightly alarming discovery the other day. Was changing the fuel pump on the Merc coupe out on the street and leaked out a bit of petrol onto the road. It makes a fxcking big stain. Goes gloss black and is very noticeable. I can't get it off. I've had petrol go on concrete driveways and does nothing but on the bitumen road is different. It's a bit embarrassing.

Who cares ..... whats going on with the Jag V12 project ?????????

Sorry Yankee. Yes the Jags are back to No1 priority now.

ii blew up a borg warner c6 once upon a time... the fluid leaked onto my flat concrete driveway and over the course of a few weeks an incredible outward circular separation of the oils components occurred resulting in a rainbow effect on the concrete. amateur chemists take note of the chromatographic potential of complex alumino and calcium silicates .... could have been a very high performance column developed there if someone didn't stop working shortly after

Borg Warner part were just crap.

Sad news today. The Mercedes Coupe has a blown head gasket. The future is uncertain now for this car. It's a shame.

Recently one of close friends was having a laugh on her way out after a weekend of sickening debauchery and had a laugh with the Merc. I hope she didn't over excite the old boy.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APZJpdZKJhU

Cant you install a new head gasket?

I'm not sure I'm up to that.

I can probably come up and help

Sure. That'd be great. Pity you're not still with the Bulgarian weightlifter. 

Those cylinder heads are pretty heavy.

I am as strong as an ox

Does that come from being in bed most of the time?

I am not in bed most of the time, about half the time.

Is that where you do the form?

Sometimes

Well the Merc Coupe didn't last long. I told my lad he could drive it short distances
if he kept an eye on the temp gauge and filled it with water constantly. So he fxcked
it up almost immediately. The engine is rooted the car is only good for parts now. It's
a shame I liked that car. Great body shape.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JriEiOxHMTo





Anyway as you may recall I have a 1990 300E on standby. Paid $500 for it and put
a new water pump in. Been tidying that up now in preparation for it to be
registered. I took the plates off the Coupe and put them on the sedan so a Police
scanner doesn't pick me up for driving an unregistered car which will be handy
for the next week.

I got the Merc sedan registered and my boy has been using it. A few problems.
Had a coolant leak and got hot. That was fixed just by tightening a screw.
Stuff like that. Annoying but no big dramas. Today I took it to the shops and
saw the battery light was on plus a few others dimly glowing. Checked the
battery with car running and showing only 12 volts so I knew the alternator
was on the way out. Got the one out of the coupe that is just now a parts car.
On my way to the BOOZATORIUM I said the the missus 'tell that boy not to use
the car tomorrow I've got to fix it.' I got home and saw the Merc was gone.
I'm think no biggie he's probably gone to the gym. Then I get a call
'hey Dad the car's broken down.' Where are you? Cronulla. CRONULLA???!!!
It's the **** end of Sydney at least an hour away.
WTF is wrong with these people? Who would want to go to Cronulla?
Who the fxck takes a car halfway through an alternator repair on a
one hour plus drive in the dark?? Now instead of walking 10 metres to
fix the car I've got to drive down to that sh1thole to fix it on a street.
Great

I said to him 'didn't you see the warning lights on the dash?' He said,'Yeah

but the car still worked so I didn't worry about it.' He never told me the

car had warning lights on. I said 'Their purpose is to tell you something

is wrong. Get it checked. With an alternator you have a brief window before

the battery is gonski.' How do young men be so dumb? His ancestors actually
built this country. It's hard to believe.

Are you sure he is your son?

It's a worry.

You know they make cars now that actually run. None of that tinkering bullsh1t required.

Is it any wonder you failed in your application for a job driving one of my trucks.

Stop living in the past man.

Excellent thread Kammo. Any updates on the Amazon?

Thanks coboz. Hardly any progress on the Jag. Too much other sh1t. I was looking at the re-assembly of the radiator and fans yesterday and it's been so long I spent nearly the whole time just scratching my head and wondering how it all goes back together.


Went down to fetch the Merc this morning. Wasn't actually Cronulla more like Miranda. So I took a fully charged battery with me and swapped it over and hoped that would be enough to get it home to change the alternator in the comfort of my own home. It wasn't. It broke down on King Georges Rd at Wiley Park. A cxnt of a spot!! So the alternator had to be swapped out there. It wasn't easy I had to use a Plan B. Eventually got it going. Wasn't easy.

The ute has had some drainage problems in the tray that's become noticeable in all this rain. There's a panel on the floor that covers the fuel tank. Removed that and cleaned out the area plus cleared the blocked drain pipe. Hopefully everything is all ok for another week.

The problem is that you're using cars in a city that can only be navigated in boats.

I'm here to help.

Got a new project. Will start a new thread soon.

There's been a job on the ute I've been putting off for years. The radio aerial or antenna or whatever it's called is broken. Cost about $150 to put a power one in but I've never gotten around to it. The other day I was at the wreckers and saw a Commy with a manual aerial. So I removed it. $20. Took it home and finally got myself proper radio reception. No more TV antennas shoved in there.





You have to remove the front wheel to get access.





The inner plastic guard is held on with about six screws.







The aerial is in there. A bolt and a screw. The plug is on the other side of that hole. On the passenger side footwell.






Remove the kickpad then thread the new aerial's wire through the hole and plug it in.






The old aerial and the new.

hmmmm, a Commodore! sheesh..... RARE

Build one of these, will ya?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKFcaXd5G8c

That's just what this thread needs. A music clip for gay people.

the project ... is the Cube.

Well just make me one of them Deadmau5 helmets and I'll leave you alone

Fairly sure there are already music threads on here. Vaguely remember contributing to them myself.

Glad you can hear, precious.

Get someone close to do the READING part for you

Why not restore a convertible Stag?

Get Tommy a leather helmet and goggles...then you and you're best jeans are a chance of pickin up

(you WILL need to wear a Deadmau5 helmet)

I do like a Stag. Bit expensive though.

Why not trade a commodore, a Merc and a Jag for one?

Missus would be pleased too....

Winning!

My missus happiness is something I lost interest in soon after we were married.

Hah! Doubt that

OK Busted...she lost interest in my happiness soon after we were married.

its a pretty sad state of affairs that im logging onto the gambling forum for a jag update - but im keen for an update if there is one !!!!!

he's forgotten where he's put the Jag.

I take it your sheila has given you the boot? That didn't last long

Sorry Yankee. Not much progress on the Jags.

She wants me.

Control your envy, it's unbecoming

So the initial attraction has waned just a little bit allowing you time to check out the F.

Three cars on the road atm. 2000 VW Golf. 89 Merc 300E and a 93 VR Commy Ute. The two formerly expensive German imports drink oil like I drink Pale Ale. The old Holden V8 never uses a drop. It's about 100 times more reliable than those heaps of sh1t. Respect.

The Jag isn't using a drop of oil either

I check whenever it suits me....or when I have something to dribble

I start one of them every Saturday at 5.30pm.