L399GYP 1993 3.2S

[naki_k]

Great work and enthusiasm.

“The only way we are going to have XJ40s to complain about in 30 years time is if people start saving them and not just parting them out.”

That statement nicely encapsulates where we are at. There simply needs to be more people saving these cars. The vast majority all need all the same work now, to a lesser or greater extent. In my opinion, Jason’s car is above average overall. Most surviving examples needing more work than this.
Mint examples like Derek’s Daimler being the exception to the rule.
How many examples are lucky enough to get lavished upon like this 3.2s?

[Walker]

As always Naki a hat tip to your reply, I hadn't been online for long enough to see it. These kind words only encourage and reinforce the mission aim of not cocking it up!

Just a very quick update on this as I want to assure you lot this hasn't stalled. Progress is being made daily and slowly but surely I've inched toward having the engine bay in primer. The passenger footwell has been the expected search and destroy of rust with the usual small scabs being discovered and cut out, one large piece swapped along the sill edge and 2 at the toe end of the floor. Just really the driver side to tackle which looks so much better, then that will be 'stage 1' ie. The front half of the car welded and hopefully corrosion free. I'm holding off on paint until all hot work is finished, then hopefully painting before our holiday in July .

Then we can get that engine back in! I had better hold off on the spending for a month or so as Mrs W is now assuming financial control of the administration, often the end of all things fun. My search for a heated screen has also came up to nothing, David manners no longer have the x300 part, so maybe just a non heated new one to go back in. Ach well as they say. This was more of a gimmick for the spec list then anything, as when it's cold or wet the car will be staying under her cover anyway.

[katar83]

No x300 heated screens? Where do companies like autoglass get them from normally? I've replaced mine 3 times and was planning to get another this winter as got a massive chip in it again, luckily behind the mirror so not that annoying.

[Walker]

Oh dear, to avoid a false alarm I'm told the part number compatible with late 40s and early 300s is the one they dont have. I'm working from memory here after a long day (and he's also still at work!).

If I remember there is and early and later screen for the 300 and that was changed again for the 308, I'm sure the later one would fit but would it work properly, we can all change a plug but not sure if it would draw the same juice as the intended one.

Not sure if we ever got to the bottom of why they are all different, mirror mounting and blacked out areas is all that's in it surely, but I certainly dont have the cash to buy a selection and see what the craic is with them.

That's a serious amount of glass your getting through Katar!

[katar83]

Yes, it's just an area with a lot of truck and tractors. My screen replacements:

1. Small chip turned into crack one cold morning when I used heat onto windscreen
2. Replaced it because the heating element stopped working in few places, I think faulty screen, otherwise was fine.
3. Got a chip the size of £2 coin, impact was so loud I thought the rock went right through the screen! Came from under a bloody lorry...

Now have a chip in front of the mirror so cant see it from inside and a tiny 1mm one right in the middle of my view, it can be so annoying!

It's a daily driver and I do a fair amount of miles so I suppose these things happen

No idea on screen differences. Maybe someone else knows here?

[morkster]

Very impressive work you're doing there Walker, i take my hat off to you.

[naki_k]

I think the screen difference is the bonded mirror mounts.
Look right throughout XJ40 production if you really want to see an obscene amount of parts changes.

[katar83]

If that's the only difference between the two(yes there are different mounts) then that's not really an issue as its easy to transfer one or the other.

[Walker]

Very impressive work you're doing there Walker, i take my hat off to you.

Thank you Sir, be a while off catching yours up I think!

I wonder would the jag dealer mind getting a few in to compare if they sell one out of the exercise? Maybe wise not to throw insults about online about my local dealer, but a recent change of hands and staff and it's no longer a nice place to visit unless your in for a new Range.

[Walker]

Right then,

Holiday has been and gone and yesterday I was out tinkering. I had hoped to have all the welding finished before spraying the engine bay but as you probably gathered I am rather erratic! So, while the rest of the welding is confined to the drives footwell and sill end, emphasis is now on covering up what has been sorted already. So, using the brilliant new picture posting facility...

20190610_062756.jpg (223.28 KiB) Viewed 257 times

I have since bolted back on a few bits and bibs, there is no limit to how many pictures you should take before removing everything, I want everything back exactly how it should be with regard to pipes and wiring. Every little clip and bracket. Fairly time consuming! I'm now kicking myself as the brake pipes have nothing to link up to until that welding is finished, so hopefully though the week that will be done.

The drivers sill end is a lot worse than I had first thought, in hindsight I should have left the car a foot or so over to the left as I like to sprawl about when arcing away. So, while I dont really have a dead line or time scale, i will be able to get the rear end dropped before the highland winter hits. Fighting with bolts in the cold isn't much fun, but installing new bushes in the parts in the warm shed is much more my thing!

There are rumours flying about the Walker household that a certain vehicle may be painted next summer. That's vague enough for me. Next on the shopping list is the windscreen, as my Jag cash this month was spent on a dash veneer set from JCP the other night.

Back to work tomorrow....