adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,869
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Jul 21, 2014 22:30:29 GMT
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,195
Club RR Member Number: 170
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So much want for a Jaaaaaaaaaaag as a daily. How wallet-destroying is the fuel consumption? Do it I'm getting around 18 mpg on the short stop start journey to and from work, but on the motorway at around 65mph with the cruise control on it was giving around 30mpg average. So long as you don't go hooning it round trying to get your gearbox to kickdown it should be affordable Those figures sound about right. If you are working off the computer or fuel gauge both of those are hilariously optimistic. My XJR claimed that it was doing 40MPG on a motorway run . It was closer to 27-30 in reality. The fuel gauge is more of a fuel range indicator (so the lower the MPG figure is, the lower the needle goes. Likewise, the needle may rise slightly for a light footed driver. I used to see around 18-20MPG out of mine around town . Part of their fuel economy is down to the fact that the AJ6 engine was designed to rectify some of the shortcomings of the XK engine with regards to fuel economy (the 4.2 EFI engines were not exactly frugal, even back then). IIRC the AJ6 engines are potentially more frugal than the AJV8 that replaced it, which also came with its share of issues upon it being released. Gearbox technology also took quite a leap forward. Considering that Borg Warner T65s were being used not so early beforehand the ZF 4HP items were comparatively slop freely, yet also smoother shifters. With the lack up torque converter engaging in 4th this made motorway cruising comparable to a manual car (my Stag on a ZF 4HP22 does near 30MPG on a motorway run, with me not hogging the first lane ).
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,869
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Ha.. on the last tank I was apparently getting 15 and a bit mpg so I hope it wasn't being too optimistic about that figure... but I blame gearbox kickdown testing for that I put in 70 quids worth last night and the pump clicked, yet the fuel gauge still doesn't go all the way to full.. I've been happy enough with the economy though, in general its doing nearly as many miles to the gallon as the B even with me booting it now and then I suppose the XK was suffering from being an old engine design coupled with a less aerodynamic car in the series 3 too, add the old 3 speed boxes like you say and it didn't have a chance economy wise Interesting to hear that the AJ6 maybe more frugal than the V8 too EDIT: I'd love a 40mpg XJR
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Last Edit: Jul 22, 2014 8:57:41 GMT by adam73bgt
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,195
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Jul 22, 2014 18:21:24 GMT
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I suppose the XK was suffering from being an old engine design coupled with a less aerodynamic car in the series 3 too, add the old 3 speed boxes like you say and it didn't have a chance economy wise Interesting to hear that the AJ6 maybe more frugal than the V8 too EDIT: I'd love a 40mpg XJR I am not surprised the MPG is similar to the 'B. A 'B really needs to be on top form to eek out every MPG, with the dizzy making quite a difference on cruising. Fortunately, mind had a recon engine with carbs and dizzy which (when the overdrive was working) made the car quite bearable for being a daily. However, most are miles away from that; ask some Mini owners how many MPG they get, you'll get a wide array of answers (and I am not referring to modified examples either). The XK was indeed old and designed with different priorities in mind. The AJ6 is said to be trickier to tune as well for example, as David Walker (of Emerald) showed in one of his Workshop diaries, something which is discussed in great detail on AJ6 Engineering's website (or at least it once was). I am a fan for sure of it. 40MPG XJR? I owned once, albeit I cheated .
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,869
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Jul 23, 2014 11:45:47 GMT
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Aye thats true, and I must admit the B has been a little neglected in terms of the state of tune, I want to do it but also it runs fine at the moment so I don't want to mess about with it too much then again, now I've got the Jag I can mess about with the B a bit It did get 32mpg on a motorway journey once though Yeah I did briefly look at AJ6 tuning parts (and their associated costs) before I promptly reminded myself that its technically a daily and engine tuning would not be in my best interests I suppose I could always get a couple sets of Triumph Daytona throttle bodies and a scrap AJ6 inlet manifold flange....
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,195
Club RR Member Number: 170
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I forgot to say that Cov Cats down Harper Avenue are a bunch of guys worth considering. They race XJSs and at one point raced XJ40s as well. There is not much which escapes them truth be told . Here is another way to get good MPG from an XJ40 : Admittedly with the 'Mixer' ring performance was flat at the top end on petrol (it drove alot better with the mixer ring removed).
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Curtis
Part of things
Posts: 622
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Ahhh I know Cov Cats, Adam, I'm fairly sure we stumbled across it at one point in second year
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Driving: Shitbox Honda S-MX
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,869
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Yeah I remember seeing Cov Cats as I lived in the student accomodation near it back in 2010/11, always seems to have some cool looking Jags outside If I was doing some serious mileage I would consider an LPG swap, but as I get a park and ride to and from work (alongside being able to claim fuel expenses) its not too bad to run at the moment. Plus the extra boot space will probably come in handy Theres a small shopping list building for the Jag at the moment: an air con condenser, a wheel centre cap, a pair of badges for the boot, a headlight washer motor, an electric window motor.. I'm pretty sure theres something else as well but I can't remember right now
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,869
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Aug 11, 2014 10:27:58 GMT
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Little update: I could post more photos of the wheels getting done but they all look the same so I won't bother I am now on wheel 4 of 5 so the finish line is in sight, my fingers hurt and my fingerprints are all but sanded off but the look will be worth it! Got a couple of part worn Goodyears in the boot at the moment which will be getting fitted along with the 1 goodyear and michelin currently fitted to two of the lattices. The 5th lattice will get the newest (2008) Pirelli P6000 off one of the 20 spokes to replace the aging (1990's) Pirelli P4000 currently fitted I've got a couple of radiator mounting bushes to replace the ruined ones currently on the car, will then be able to fit a new condensor once I've sourced one, also in the post is a reconditioned starter motor as mine has been dragging a bit on occasion after starting. I've also discovered that the Jag has a lead in the boot for a CD changer so I've bought one on ebay and will hopefully be able to hook that up for some 'sick tuneage' Will also be neater than the tape to mp3 converter with its wires all over the gear selector For now my efforts are focused on the wheels as they are taking up space in my living room but I also can't wait to see them on the car!
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,869
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Aug 13, 2014 20:41:40 GMT
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Another little update.. And a top tip for XJ40 owners, don't leave your phone on top of the centre console ash tray lid and then open the ashtray, your phone will fall inside the centre console, don't ask how I know.... Luckily, the centre console came apart quite easily with a few crossheaded screws and I was able to retrieve my phone It also showed me how easy it would be to get the cigarette lighter out, its a bit rusty and doesn't get a perfect connection all the time so I'll either clean it up or get a replacement. It also gave me an opportunity to tighten up the armrest retaining arm screw so it doesn't try to take your arm off every time you open it Went and collected my shiny new looking Bosch starter motor today Its interesting that its smaller and lighter than the MGB starter, but I suppose thats down to newer high torque starter tech, or its the wrong one.. time will tell Also the 4th wheel is now in paint Couple more coats of colour then lacquer and I'll be on to the last wheel!
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,869
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Aug 23, 2014 20:45:34 GMT
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Thought I'd do another update on this as I've been doing little bits and bobs. So I'd decided to get the air con checked to see how bad the leak was and as the previous owner had said, the condenser was indeed leaking quite badly! But thankfully no other leaks that could be heard, so I got on with taking off the condenser. This turned out to be a pretty straightforward task, remove the top panel by undoing a load of torx screws, undo the main hose into the condenser then simply lift the condenser out, little bit of wiggling but got there Note the nice big dent in the bottom of the condenser, there was another dent in the front of it along with the main issue.. So yeah, thats a hole and the metal doesn't look all that strong around it either so I got on a hunt for a new condenser. Irritatingly, my XJ40 is a late model which uses a very specific condenser, earlier ones are a different shape and made for R12 gas and are no good, and later X300 ones are nigh on identical except for a different connection for the main hose.. So the late XJ40 condenser is rare and therefore expensive, but I may have tracked one down new on ebay.. Watch this space!! While changing all these bits, it seemed an ideal time to buy some new mounting rubbers. I'd accidentally bought lower radiator bushes when I meant to replace these top 'bushes' Bit knackered then... A jag dealership has managed to source me a couple of suitable replacements though Another issue was getting the lower condenser bushes which the dealer could only locate at dealerships in Germany, Belgium and Canada! After much online searching, I think I may have located some X300 items which will do the job, or at least I can modify them So with all the parts for the air con in the post, I took a long bank holiday weekend to head to the parents house to take advantage of the driveway and pressure washer to give the Jag a good clean There are a couple of rust bubbles on the front wings which are letting it down but otherwise it shines up very nicely indeed Just need to get a body shop to sort said rust bubbles.. I'm also planning to get the front valance off to firstly get the broken foglight out but also to give it a bit of a tidy up as well as there a couple of ugly looking touch ups on it and I may do something with the lower grille too. Also the undertrays need sorting out as they're rather hanging off and some are attached with cable ties so I'll neaten that up too All in all, I'm happy with how its progressing Edit: I also had someone at a petrol station ask me if it was a Jag or a Rover... not sure if I should be insulted (rofl)I suppose if I'd bought a Rover 820 I could have at least swapped the engine into the B when I got bored with it haha
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Last Edit: Aug 23, 2014 21:03:21 GMT by adam73bgt
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Rich
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 6,255
Club RR Member Number: 160
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Aug 23, 2014 22:11:50 GMT
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Edit: misread. Soz!
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,869
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Aug 29, 2014 13:21:01 GMT
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Too quick for me to see what you even said in the first place no worries, oddly enough while picking up some parts for the Jag I ended up parked next to a black/dark green XG30 at the couriers, it stood out to me a bit as usually they all seem to be burgundy Quick update on this but no photos as I'm at work.. Most of the parts have now arrived for the air con fix aside from the condenser drier which turned out to not be in stock at the place I ordered it from I did however get the condenser which I bought off ebay and it was the right one! Despite being labelled up as being for a 1990-1994 X300, it is definitely for an XJ40 and I've swapped a couple of the reusable hardware bits from the old condenser while adding new O rings and mounting bushes The mounting bushes are actually X300 parts but appear identical to the XJ40 items, which is certainly easier than getting in contact with a German or Belgian Jag dealer to get the parts! So reciever drier and I should be fine to gas up the system and enjoy some cool driving I also need to get round to swapping the starter as its embarassing enough starting the car with a small amount of blue smoke from the exhausts without also making a lovely grinding noise at the same time too... Have sourced new boot badges to replace the corroded ones on the car Need to buy a sheet of aluminium so I can make up some sort of 'adapter plate' to allow me to fit the CD changer in the boot And the wheels.. Yeah.. One left still But if I can't get the MG running by Saturday, I'll sling the 4 lattices I've finished on the Jag and take it to the Gathering instead so all won't be lost (well except for a bit of extra space on the club stand )
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,869
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Aug 31, 2014 19:19:21 GMT
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So the Jag did have to be used as Plan B for getting to the Gathering in the end as the B was being a pain.. But in an attempt to get the Jag to look vaguely interesting for the club stand, I decided to chuck on the lattices before during on stand at services on the way home So it was still the least interesting thing on stand (thanks to the high quality of the stuff on stand!) but I LOVE the look of the car on the lattice alloys, just need to get round to getting the decent tyres on the car, though for 90's tyre,s the Pirelli P4000's on the back weren't too bad really The only problem now, is that I think the car needs a bit of an altitude adjustment... so much for unmodified daily driver...
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,195
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Aug 31, 2014 19:40:41 GMT
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It is shame to hear about your condenser although I still reckon your bill will be cheaper than converting my car to run on R134a (seeing as R12 is now outlawed in the UK and IIRC the US as well). However, it did look great today on the Lattice wheels .
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,869
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Aug 31, 2014 20:07:54 GMT
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It is shame to hear about your condenser although I still reckon your bill will be cheaper than converting my car to run on R134a (seeing as R12 is now outlawed in the UK and IIRC the US as well). However, it did look great today on the Lattice wheels . That is true, was a bit of luck finding that mine is meant to run on R134a from the start, will offset the costs of the new condenser like you say Thanks! I don't think I saw the 944 apart from when I saw it heading up the hill in the morning
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Curtis
Part of things
Posts: 622
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Aug 31, 2014 20:24:18 GMT
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Looks mint on the lattices man, love it
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Driving: Shitbox Honda S-MX
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nyx
Part of things
Posts: 47
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Sept 1, 2014 14:13:45 GMT
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those newer wheels really lift the appearance.
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Sept 1, 2014 15:40:08 GMT
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I prefer the old wheels, sozzles. I think it's just because I don't like black centres though. In theory cross-spoke wheels should always look better!
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XL391
Part of things
Posts: 160
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Sept 1, 2014 16:49:47 GMT
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'Tis a lovely '40 that Sir! I do prefer the old wheels as well, if the lattices had silver centres I think I'd prefer them. Anyway, it's your chariot!
Really lovely car though, keep up the good work!
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