Work Begins

ian68 · Post by **ian68** » Thu May 14, 2009 12:33 pm

Well, I've just booked the '65 into Alan Proctors (late September) to get the work on the sill done and i've ordered a 123 distributor and a few other bits which need replacing.

I've treated her to a set of new wheels and after deliberating I decided to stick with the original size and spoke arrangement but have gone for a full stainless steel set which look absolutely superb.

I also appear to have solved much of my 'blue smoke after over-run' problem by simply changing the oil for some new classic 20-50, so whatever was in it must have been far too thin!

i'll post some pictures of the wheels up when I get chance.

Ian

Post by **Heuer** » Thu May 14, 2009 12:38 pm

Ian

Good to hear you are making progress. What tyres are you going to use?

ian68 · Post by **ian68** » Fri May 15, 2009 11:45 am

Hi David, As I have stuck with the original size rims and the fact that my existing tyres are virtually unworn, I have just swapped them onto the new rims.

They are Michelin XVA from memory 185-15

Ian

Post by **Heuer** » Fri May 15, 2009 12:04 pm

Ian

Good choice, you will have a delightfully handling car.

Erikantwerp · Post by **Erikantwerp** » Sat May 16, 2009 6:44 am

Ian,

Can I ask what brand of rims you have chosen (and why ?) I am in the procress of chooisng myself (already weighing my options for quite some time now.... :)

cheers
Erik

ian68 · Post by **ian68** » Sat May 16, 2009 7:18 am

Hi Erik,

Well I would have loved a set of Borrani's but ruled that out on cost. I wanted to stay with the original size rims at 5" but did consider 5.5" triple laced ones.

I had heard that Dayton wheels were good and had heard mixed reports on MWS, but you pay your money and take your choice.

As i was in the vacinity of MWS's HQ a couple of weeks ago, I thought the best course of action would be to drop in and have a look for myself, so i threw the old wheels and tyres in the Land Rover and went for a look.

Based purely on personal preference I discounted the triple laced, as up close, i preferred the look of the original. They sell the original 5" in a painted, chromed, or full stainless steel version. I had intended to go for the chrome, but to be honest I wasn't that impressed with the quality of the chroming. The full stainless version however was beautiful. I had expected the level of 'mirror' finish to be better on the chrome wheels but this was not the case. The s/s rims had by far the best finish. If you stand a chrome wheel next to a s/s wheel the s/s wheel is slightly 'yellower' in finish, but you will only tell by comparing side by side and you don't do that on a car!

In the end, although the s/s wheels were around ?100 more per rim I figured they were worth it. with the added bonus that they wont rust!

For me, the s/s version looks to be very good quality and at half the cost of Borrani's I am more than happy.

I also got MWS to swap my tyres onto the new rims and balance them up, so I know they have been done properly.

I took the opportunity to buy some new chrome spinners and to be honest it is very difficult to spot the (very) slight colour difference between the chrome spinners and the s/s wheels.

Regards,

Ian

Post by **1954Etype** » Sat May 16, 2009 9:01 am

Erikantwerp wrote:Ian,

Can I ask what brand of rims you have chosen (and why ?) I am in the procress of chooisng myself (already weighing my options for quite some time now.... :)

cheers
Erik

Erik, if I can break in here.... Borranis are the ultimate option - no doubt but you pay for them. A group of us went for the Dayton 6", chrome hub and rim with stainless steel spokes running tubeless tyres. (Again a number of us went for the Pirelli P4000). I feel happier running my car on tubeless tyres as in the event of a blowout, the tubless will (in the majority of cases) deflate slower than a tube fitted tyre.

I also prefer the way the 6" wheels fill the wheel arches better than the original. But most definately the original 185s do make for a more chuckable and predictable handling car.

Post by **Heuer** » Sat May 16, 2009 10:03 am

When assessing the different wheel/tyre options it is worth remembering you are affecting unsprung weight. The larger the wheels and tyres the more they will weigh and that has a direct effect on handling. The other thing to bear in mind is modern tyres are designed for cars with variable camber geometry which the E-Type does not have so directional stability and cornering can be affected. This has to do with the shape of the tread shoulder and stiffness of the side wall. If you want to have the wider look then 6" wheels with Michelin XWX tyres is the way to go. These are a period carcass tyre, with modern composition rubber, and were as fitted to the S3 so are more suited to the E-Type's suspension. Steering weight will increase in a non power assisted S1 or S2. They are very expensive (?269 per corner) but they are certainly worth it as a few minutes behind the wheel will confirm.

It you are going to spend a fortune on buying or restoring an E-Type it seems perverse to put unsuitable tyres on it. Those four small patches of rubber define the entire character of the car - ride, handling and feel - the E-Type experience.

Post by **1954Etype** » Sat May 16, 2009 10:51 am

Heuer wrote:When assessing the different wheel/tyre options it is worth remembering you are affecting unsprung weight. The larger the wheels and tyres the more they will weigh and that has a direct effect on handling. The other thing to bear in mind is modern tyres are designed for cars with variable camber geometry which the E-Type does not have so directional stability and cornering can be affected. This has to do with the shape of the tread shoulder and stiffness of the side wall. If you want to have the wider look then 6" wheels with Michelin XWX tyres is the way to go. These are a period carcass tyre, with modern composition rubber, and were as fitted to the S3 so are more suited to the E-Type's suspension. Steering weight will increase in a non power assisted S1 or S2. They are very expensive (?269 per corner) but they are certainly worth it as a few minutes behind the wheel will confirm.

It you are going to spend a fortune on buying or restoring an E-Type it seems perverse to put unsuitable tyres on it. Those four small patches of rubber define the entire character of the car - ride, handling and feel - the E-Type experience.

Hmm, so in your opinion the P4000s are the unsuitable in your opinion David.

Post by **Heuer** » Sat May 16, 2009 11:40 am

Angus

The P4000 was designed as a performance radial for small cars and vans. It is commonly found on E-Types as a dealer will put four new tyres on a car he is selling to make it attractive. The P4000 fits the bill as it looks good but above all else is the cheapest available - the P6000 would be a far better option if you wanted to go down the Pirelli route but it costs more.

So the ideal tyres for our cars are period style Michelins or Dunlops but many people feel the cost is unwarranted. My opinion is the reverse - money is better spent on the tyres than almost anything else as they affect the entire car's behaviour.

Post by **1954Etype** » Sat May 16, 2009 12:10 pm

Heuer wrote:Angus

The P4000 was designed as a performance radial for small cars and vans. It is commonly found on E-Types as a dealer will put four new tyres on a car he is selling to make it attractive. The P4000 fits the bill as it looks good but above all else is the cheapest available - the P6000 would be a far better option if you wanted to go down the Pirelli route but it costs more.

So the ideal tyres for our cars are period style Michelins or Dunlops but many people feel the cost is unwarranted. My opinion is the reverse - money is better spent on the tyres than almost anything else as the affect the entire car's behaviour.

David

all I can do is speak from experience. I have hillclimbed mine, done the odd Continental run (at speed) and spent an entire day in the rain. I am more than happy with them. To be fair, the only other tyres I have driven on are crossplies and the Avons.

Post by **Heuer** » Sat May 16, 2009 12:32 pm

Angus

Tyres are subjective and it comes down to personal preference. If you have found some that suit your driving style then stick with them. I was starting from first principles which is the tyre construction should be matched to the suspension geometry and then iterate from there. The Pirelli P4000 are ubiquitous and fitted to all models of Jaguar but I question whether that has to do with their innate suitability, or simply price. Go to any Classic Car showroom and inevitably E-Type's and Mk11's etc will have a shiny new set but then maybe car traders are altruistic after all!

ian68 · Post by **ian68** » Sat May 16, 2009 5:09 pm

David,

Just a point when you consider unsprung weight. I was told by MWS that the full s/s rims are two pounds per rim lighter than the equivalent chrome ones in their range.

I would have loved a set of Borriani's but thought the money could be spent elsewhere. Very pleased with the rims I have though.

Ian

Post by **Heuer** » Sat May 16, 2009 5:15 pm

Ian

Interesting the stainless are lighter but so much the better. I weighed a MWS chrome triple lace 6" with Pirelli P6000 205/65 tyre at 22Kg. The 5" with a Dunlop 185 tyre weighs 21kg so not much in it. The Borrani comes in at 17.5Kg but it does have an alloy rim so perhaps not surprising.

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