The 'E' Type Forum

Hello Everyone

My name is David, In the past I have build an AC Cobra kit car and decided to progress to a restoration project, even after finishing the cobra it still takes a few quid to keep it in tip top shape and to do the usual mods that owners like to do every winter.
I have been looking for an E-Type for around two years now and never had the liquid cash to purchase a really decent one, I am looking for the experience of a full nut and bolt restoration and the knowldege that such a project brings. I finished the cobra about three years ago now and I have loved driving the beast ever since, I get so much attention while driving it and the noise it makes in something else, the main problem is that the children cant share the experience with me, they are four and three and really want to get involved, so any meet or event usually means that I go alone or wifey follows in car. I realise that a 2+2 is not everyone cup of tea but it ticks every box for me, I can go to events in a truly wonderful classic car that admired everywhere and best of all take my family with me.
The 2+2 was purchased for 5.7k and is a LHD Auto imported XK-E with air conditioning from California, the body does have some rot but nothing that cant be sorted, I do have concerns as there several big parts missing although I am told that a box is following from America with bits in so hopefully I will get everything.
I am at the stage now where I am deciding how im going to tackle this restoration, I have a few ideas that I want to share with you guys and would be very grateful of any feedback

1) LHD to RHD conversion is a must, Im told that the bodies are identical and I would need to change the steering rack, wiring loom, glove box and clock apperture, Im hoping i can reuse the steering column, is there a how to guide that you can direct me to?

2)Gearbox....... Im no fan of auto boxes but this car is my cruiser, I have a cobra for raw power, Ive heard that to replace the auto with manual is very expensive, any thoughts?

3)Air Conditioning..... Ugly thing isnt it, there is no way it will fit if I change to RHD so its being ripped out, is it going in the bin or is there a demand out there for them? Taking out the AC leaves me with a big gap, can I buy a trim piece to fit to my existing radio and also would need the shelf piece that none AC cars have

4)Engine re-build...I really want a crack at doing this myself, Im not very skilled with engines but Ive bought all the books and am about to start reading up, is there any other Etype/engine men who live in Lancashire?

5)Carbs...I have the detuned american two carb setup, should I leave on to save cost, change to british 3xSU or go for a weber setup, any thoughts?

6)Interior, my interior is decimated, I have missing stuff I need a skilled E-Type trimmer, someone who know the inside of an E-type inside out, any recommendations?

7) Bonnet....Im concerned that my bonnet may be a little to far gone, does and second hand ones come up and does anyone know where is best to look?

8) Parts.... I am about to start the restoration of the IRS, does any parts companies for a kit for this? also same question again for the engine overhaul

9) Scrap Etypes....my car was shipped over in bits pre stripped, risky I know, does anyone know of scrap E-types that are being broken for parts Ive im missing something

10) Chrome...some fo my bumper pieces have minor bumps and scratches, is it cheaper top replace or repair?

Thanks in advance Guys

David Latimer
Wigan, Lancashire

David : I am on the Wirral so not too far from you, and you are very welcome to come and see me when I may be able to offer advice.

Dealing with some of your points : -

1.No need to change the loom to convert L to R , but you may need to re-arrange the lay of the main parts of it

2. With a 2+2 a change to manual is not all that difficult or expensive if you do the lion's share of the work yourself - a lot of people use manual and OD boxes from either XJ6 or from earlier Mark 2s

3.Don't throw away the aircon. It is very rare in Europe and you might just be glad of it. Although i agree that it spoils the underbonnet looks

4.I have rebuilt more than one. They are not all that difficult as long as you are very methodical and keep a cool head

5.The Strombergs are unappealing aesthetically and not really as efficient as a 3 SU setup, but eliminating the crossover hot air system cures quite a proportion of the ills, and the cost of a 3 SU setup is very expensive these days - think at least ?2000 overall. Webers are a complete no-no for a road car . A quite cheap and effective solution is to use the 2 X HD8 setup from an XJ6

6.What is missing ? BAS do a good deal of trim and are very helpful. Also, if you want an assessment, take the car to Hutson's in bradford who will give you a good idea of what you need, and are very straight

7.Same with the bonnet . Second hand ones in decent condition are hard to find, and the problem with all bonnets is that they have to be tailored to individual cars, because they all differ slightly particularly in length and fit with the front end of the sills . Hutson's make most if not all of the individual bonnet parts you might need

8.IRS : get yourself Dave Marks DVD of the IRS rebuild from the JEC. This gives a very good hands on guide to a task which again is well within the ability of a competent amateur provided ( NOTE THE PROVISO) you equip yourself with knowledge before hand , and allow a minimum of 75 hours - I mean it - for the job

9. Forget it : there are none worth having

10.Always better to use your existing chrome and have it re-chromed. Fit, and quality, of after market stuff is very dubious


You are very welcome to talk with me on 0151 342 3175. Although I am largely retired, I am always in the garage, so evenings are best

Wht Chris said David, and welcome. Good price for a good car to suit your circumstances. With luck the kids will still fit by the time you have it ready.

Seriously, unless you are made of money you need to prioritise and i'd get you tub and bonnet sorted first, in that order and the rest will follow.

Couple of amendments to Chris's points:

AC cannot be used on RHD cars so sell it, if you can.

The gearbox from a Mk2 won't fit as it is too long. The XJ6 box is perfect and almost all have overdrive. If you're happy with the auto then great if it works. The boxes are pretty tough but if it does go belly-up i'd sooner get a manual box than repair the auto. Changing to an XJ6 box will probably cost less anyway.

In your shoes, especially if you stay auto, the twin 'Stranglebergs' are sufficient, at least for the first few years. They are also your cheapest option, which means you will get the car on the road sooner.

Be realistic and deal with a few things, not everything, or you'll spread yourself too thin perhaps.

Do not throw any original part away no matter how rough, until your replacement part is fitted and working.

Pete

Peter : two points arise : are you sure that a Mark 2 ( all synchro ) box won't fit in a 2+2 ? It may need a top cover change, but I think the box and OD are exactly the same length as with early XJ6 ( the S3 used the BL 77mm 5 speed box)

Also, I had forgotten that Aircon cannot be used on a RHD car

I've got several of each transmission in the shed Christopher, plus 3 Getrags, 2 LT77s and a T5 in Mk2 spec. The overdrive/tailhousing on Mk2 is longer. The XK is longer still. Only the Compact Type A Laycock will fit in a 2+2 or XJ because that 4-synch MOD is identical in length and fitments to the E-type/XJ auto, or the normal 2+2 4-synch with plain extension. I do have all the transmission lengths and gear lever measurements scribbled down somewhere, but not to hand.

I *think* it is the old S-type top cover that's identical to the E-type short cover. The XJ type cover would need to be swapped to E-type if someone was converting a manual E to overdrive spec and wanted the gear lever to fit their existing manual console.

However, since people converting an auto have a different tunnel and console anyhow, they can save money and effort by leaving the XJ 4-synch top cover in place and having the gear lever come out slightly further back than stock (which some prefer anyhow) roughly where the auto slector comes out.

Pete

Peter : thanks for that full explanation . It is more complicated than I thought , and I had forgotten that tailhousings differed markedly

Be realistic and deal with a few things, not everything, or you'll spread yourself too thin perhaps.

That's good advice David, if you want to enjoy the car with your family, then try and get it on the road before the kids get to grown-up to fit. (i know this from experience!)

i live quite local to you, (blackburn) and have a 1967 2+2, although its a S1, you are welcome to come and take pics measurements etc if you want to see what parts are missing from yours etc

all i ask in return is...... you must arrive in the cobra

Thanks ever so for that and I will probably take you up on that, I would be nice to nip in and see you one day so I can see an Etype up close that isnt in bits

Thanks again !!

Thanks Pete, Good advice that. I really need to watch the pennies on this, its so easy for it to get out of control

Thanks for that Pete, If you are looking to sell a manual box that would fit or could be modified to fit then I would be most intrested.

Thanks again

mystery type wrote:

Be realistic and deal with a few things, not everything, or you'll spread yourself too thin perhaps.

That's good advice David, if you want to enjoy the car with your family, then try and get it on the road before the kids get to grown-up to fit. (i know this from experience!)

i live quite local to you, (blackburn) and have a 1967 2+2, although its a S1, you are welcome to come and take pics measurements etc if you want to see what parts are missing from yours etc

all i ask in return is...... you must arrive in the cobra

Thats is really kind of you thankyou, there is a classic car show at Tatton park im hoping to get the Cobra there. Would be nice to meet a few Etypers.

Hi David, i'm also in the process of importing a 2+2 series 2 - 69 and it's on the boat from calif as i write (somewhere near Mexico). Has yours arrived yet? wondered how you got on with the BTI form and HMRC - for reduced import duty?


Had one other question, why so keen to get it converted to RHD?

There are a series of articles on LHD>RHD conversion in our Knowledge Base: http://etypeuk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1664

snowdmc wrote:Hi David, i'm also in the process of importing a 2+2 series 2 - 69 and it's on the boat from calif as i write (somewhere near Mexico). Has yours arrived yet? wondered how you got on with the BTI form and HMRC - for reduced import duty?


Had one other question, why so keen to get it converted to RHD?

I purchased the car from a classic car dealer that specialises in american imports, he took care of the import duties etc
I have driven left hookers and im not a fan, every on is different but the conversion is a must for me.

David
I converted both of my cars and can confirm that it is a very straightforward job on the 6 cylinder car.

One issue I will raise is the use of the existing loom behind the dash. Whilst you can re-use the loom by bending it through 180 degrees from the left to the right, I found that with my car the insulation around some of the cables cracked when doing this. My car came from Southern California, so may have been subjected to a lot of heat over a long period of time which made the plastic brittle. My S3 on the other hand was absolutely fine (also from Southern California), so I guess it depends on how they have been stored.

The looms are pretty cheap, and for peace of mind, I would recommend replacing them.