Recommendations for a V12 specialist near Northants/Cambs/Beds

[Tarapoochy]

Hi everyone.

Always wanted an E-type and have finally (40 years later!) acquired a Series 3 roadster.

I am hoping it will only require a bit of TLC, but am quite aware that it could cost a lot of money, time and effort!

First however is to try and get the engine running as it should. It is a US import and it does run, but not smoothly and it's reluctant to start. It feels like its missing a cylinder or two! There's no black smoke when it starts and no discernable blue smoke when running, which is more than can be said for many of those I looked at! Oil pressure seems OK. I would like someone who knows about this engine to take a good look at it before I start my amateur tinkering. I am therefore looking for a specialist I could take it to to get a professional opinion of what needs doing. Although I do have a trailer and could take it anywhere to get thus done I was wondering if anyone knows of someone here in the heart if the country who really knows these engines?

Thanks

Rick

[malcolm]

First of all, Hi and welcome! Glad you've got your new toy.

In terms of a specialist, you're very close to one of this forums well-known specialists. The owner (Angus) is a moderator of this forum!
Here's the website with info, directions etc
https://www.mossjaguar.com/

[christopher storey]

I'm not sure how much Angus does with V12s but no doubt he will tell us if he can deal with it. If not, then David Marks in Nottingham ( see his regular articles in the JEC magazine ) should be able to help

[rswaffie]

Hi,
Try The Splined Hub, Oundle, Northants.

[Tarapoochy]

Thanks guys. Got some good info from Angus Moss today and will try David Marks and The Splined Hub tomorrow. The Slindon Hub is particularly close by, so that could be very useful.

[Ole-xke1974]

Hi Rick,
I started out pretty much like you, but over 10 years ago and in the US. Had no idea of any forum and had no contacts.
My engine was running on maybe 6 of the 12 cylinders and I simply started by replacing all ignition service parts (plugs, cables, distributor cap & rotor and coil) and thereby discovered that the distributor advance mechanism had rusted solid. Then moved on to rebuilding the carbs and flushing the lines using the fuel pump. Which by the way turned out to be a non original item of unknown pressure and capacity, so that was replaced by a new item and the missing bracket was bought and installed. I also found the fuel lines under the car was damaged and needed repair.
Off course air filters, vacuum hoses and fuel rubber lines were replaced as well.
In the end it turned out ok and the infamous OPUS ignition has performed flawlessly since. It may have been upgraded to the RE-OPUS system at some point, but I don’t know.
I now live in Holmfirth and is without a Jaguar. I sold it last week to a gentleman in Florida.
Good luck with your new car and welcome to the forum and camaraderie of Jaguar ownership ..... Ole

[Tarapoochy]

Hi Ole,

Thanks for the advice. I have checked and replaced a few basic things and even bought a compression tester as I have a receipt (from quite a long time ago) that says something about the number 6 cylinder on "A" bank having a much lower compression than all the other cylinders. I don't have anything saying this has been addressed, so it could be a stuck ring or bad valve I suppose. I just think it could be one of those things I could spend hours and not fix when someone with a bit of specialist knowledge would be able to pin point the problem pretty quickly. I am discussing it with someone, but they seem very busy (which is probably a good thing!) so hope to get it resolved sometime, though I doubt it will be soom