The 'E' Type Forum

Hi all

I have been very fortunate to have the pleasure of looking after a V12 after my father can no longer drive and become it's new custodian. The car has sat for 3 years since it came back from a restorers call Flying Cat Engineers, not to be recommended. But that's another story.

As I go through the car, I will clean, repaint or replace what I can, but when it comes to wiring etc do I replace with period relevant parts or modern? I own a parts company that may have parts suitable. I have removed the battery and the earth wire has seen better days. Do replace with an exposed strap or a later covered? The car will never be a nut and bolt rebuild at the moment as I just want her to be driven.

I plan to upgrade the radiator and expansion tank to help with the overheating issues these cars can suffer.

That's it for now.

If you're just trying to get the car driveable, as you say, then I don't think it matters what wiring/earth straps you use providing they are of good quality and do the job. Regarding overheating, I don't have a series 3, but I didn't think overheating was a problem on the series 3. It certainly isn't on my series 2 - I think it was mainly a series 1 issue.

The engines seem to run at least in the upper end of the temp gage. Not hot but nearly always over half way.
My 74 E type had a nasty hot restart issue, mostly solved by updating the distributor to the SNG version. If you decide to do this you might want to ask this group if a nonUSA distributor would be a better way to go since the US version is a vacuum retard.
She starts much easier when sitting for 20 minutes after the engine is fully warmed up.

Good luck
Dennis