The 'E' Type Forum

hello all-i have recently purchased a 1968 series 1.5 xke 2plus 2..with auto. i prefer the series 1 style..the extra space of the 2plu2...i am 6ft2in..the auto time will tell. i have a triumph tr3a and an mga 1959 and 1958 respectively and have had them for some time so i am used to them.
questions about the xke...where are the horns located...i cant see them..as the horn does not work i am even wondering if they were removed. there is a small rotating type switch on the left lower side of the dash..what is it for? what size battery does the clock take?where can one obtain this kind of basic owners manual information when the owners manual not with car? any help greatly appreciated....it seems like a decent car which i have obtained but i still need to get it checked out and need basic overall information. thanks to any and all who can assist.

Hi and welcome to the forum. I have owned my car for many years and I am still asking questions (some of them very simple) so dont be afraid to ask :)

Take a look at the "links" part of the forum there is a wealth of info.

http://www.etypeuk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=884

Brand new Workshop manuals and more importantly PARTS manuals are available from a number of places and they are all re-productions of the original factory manual.

Enjoy your ownership :)

I shall try and answer at least some of your questions .

Horns : these changed position over the years ; late cars had them attached to the "picture frame" - the square frame at the front of the engine and suspension frames - but earlier cars had them inside the nose of the bonnet to either side of the front air duct. The easiest way to get to them is by removing the bolted in base plate of the air duct

The rotating switch if a chromed one about 3/4 inch diameter is almost certainly that which controls the up/down airflow from the heater. There should be a similar one on the right side

Clock : if yours is the later panel with the clock in the centre, the battery is available from eg Barratts but they are extortionately expensive IIRC - about ?8 - and on my S2 I use proprietory batteries which you can buy in packs of 10 - can't remember but I think they are 3v

Your first essential purchase is the factory manual reprint by Brooklands, and a factory parts guide is also an enormous help

thanks for the replies. i have now located one horn...up front on the cross members....but it does not work so the task begins... the knob or switch i was asking about...it is black and small..just to the left of the steering wheel...not one of the two heater knobs..smaller in size and just below the dip toggle switch for the headlights..thanks re the clock..i wanted to know the voltage so i dont "fry" the clock..as it may work..it is currently empty in the battery compartment...so i will see if i can obtain a suitable size 3v. as with any older aquisition..yes a journey of discovery..and as always..hopefully more joy than sorrow.

Hi ....have seen a small round knob to left of steering as aftermarket fitting to adjust for intermittant wipers?.......Steve

Hi again......just looked on the Jag lovers site. most are saying that the original spec was a 1.35v mercury battery......one guy used a 1.5v in a plastic holder & wired to the clock terminals & it worked ok......Or look on the Barrets site they have them to fit the clock but at ?7 plus....Steve