New E Type owner

[Julian.P]

Hi everyone, I have just joined the forum my name is Julian I’m from Colchester Essex. I am pleased and excited to have purchased a 1968 series 1.5 E type restoration project my car currently resides in Austin Texas waiting to be shipped back to the UK, as it’s a US left hand drive car I will be looking to convert to UK specification. I shall be looking for some advice and tips from forum members as I embark on this restoration project.
Many thanks for now, Julian.

[mgcjag]

Hi Julian...welcom to the forum......get to know the Knowledge base section...lots of info there including a guide to left/right conversion also jag spares day this Sunday...may be of intetest, always lots of suppliers and resto firms there....worth going if your new to E types http://www.myetype.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9541

[Gfhug]

Julian, welcome to the forum. I've received lots of help from the forum members over the two years, now, of my E Type ownership.
If you join either the JEC (Jaguar Enthusiasts Club) or the JDC (Jaguar Drivers Club) you can get agreed valuation and see discounts on your insurance.
Buy all the manuals (discount from the JEC on your first order) and books eg Chris Rooke's restoration of an E Type for help and guidance, plus look at Chris Vine's blog (and others) to see how people go about their work.

Good luck.

Geoff

[Julian.P]

Hi Julian...welcom to the forum......get to know the Knowledge base section...lots of info there including a guide to left/right conversion also jag spares day this Sunday...may be of intetest, always lots of suppliers and resto firms there....worth going if your new to E types http://www.myetype.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9541

Hi Steve, where would I find the knowledge base section of the forum?
Many thanks, Julian.

[mgcjag]

Hi Julian....when you log in you get the board index with the various sections, series 1, series 2, welcom, etc, ...knowlege base is the first one

[cactusman]

Welcome Julian.....from......Julian...

[juicerider]

Hey Julian
I've just done a lhd to rhd conversation from mine that a bought from the states too
It's really not hard to do and the conversation itself would have taken less than a weeks work. However on mine once I started talking things off I discovered a whole lot of work that had been boggied up, and corrosion that needed work
It's a great car to work on and very rewarding.
You ll have a blast
Best of luck
Steve

[politeperson]

Yes, I converted my West Coast car too.

Before Dash.jpg (62.03 KiB) Viewed 8260 times

It was pretty straightforward, I took the opportunity to replaces the brake/clutch master cylinders as well.

It took 4 days and cost about £1,500. It is covered in the Knowledge base. Wish I had read that first.

The biggest mistake I made was I undid all the little dash top screws for the wind-screen heater vents with the screen in place. This took ages with a tiny cross head screwdriver. To remove the whole dash top including the vents I only needed to undo 4 nuts, which takes about 4 minutes, two in the middle with the centre section folded forward and 2 at the ends. This would have saved time had I known.

My dash top was split from the sun. Another mistake I made was to cut out lozenge shape holes when re trimming the dash top with new material which you heat form with a paint stripping gun and paper clips to form. I should have just cut slits and then pushed the vents through the dash top, as once it is assembled the dash top material contracts a bit, exposing unsightly foam around the vent, visible from through the screen.

I bought dash panels and bits from RM and J Smith. These came with black material that needs to be stuck on and the holes cut ou afterwards. I stuck it on on in stages over 3 days, taking care to get the cuts for the compound curved right after the main flat sections had dried. I used loads of spring paper clips.

After Inside.jpg (55.42 KiB) Viewed 8260 times

Once I had removed the two outer dash panels, my local auto electrician came around and charged me £250 to shorten and re-terminate the original loom in situ, so I could just re-plug everything back in with the new RHD panels. This took him 2 days, and he took the opportunity to check the rest of the electrics out at the same time. They have been perfect since.

Another mistake I made was I ended up refitting the dash end of the choke cable mechanism with the dash panel in situ. From memory, it wants to be fitted prior. Mine in a Series 2 car. This was fiddly.

Switching the steering column indicator and ignition switch (with steering lock) was straightforward with the upper column out of the car. Is just twisted around with a pin drilled out.

Re-parking the wipers on the other side of the screen was also easy. The motor comes out and you just re-bolt the cam 180 degrees the other side with new rhd wiper arms.

Make sure all your electrics and bulbs work correctly before you put the dash top back on.

I would definitely consider a wire throttle conversion at this stage, as I cannot get the accelerator rods just right, which is annoying as all the linkage and pedals are brand new. I think this would improve idling speed consistency and also light throttle opening response.

James

[malcolm]

Hi and welcome, from someone who has just moved from Chelmsford to Hampshire, so know the Colchester area well. I know some good people if you need work doing; just pm me.

[Julian.P]

Hi chaps, would just like thank everyone for the warm welcome and advice so far here's a pic of my car ready for shipment.

[dal2.0litrefrogeye]

Hi welcome aboard. Good active forum with a nice club feel . Once you get started post plenty of pic's on gallery and restorations . What's the state of play with it ? Are you thinking of concours resto? Or just a good detailed car with a few mods type build ???? Nosey ain't I

[Julian.P]

Hi thanks for the welcome I don't plan a concors restoration as I want to add some modications, at the moment Planning to change Stromberg's to Triple SU's, diff ratio to 3.07 and covered headlight conversion.

[politeperson]

Very nice