3.8/4.2 Hybrid in 1964??

[Mangowi]

Hello,
I am the "guardian" of a 1964 3.8 FHC. It has been in the family since the late 1980's and was completely restored in 1990-1993.
I am a bit puzzled by the fact that it is a 3.8, but with a leather clad center console and black vinyl face on the center of the dashboard (like a 4.2).
As far as I understand, it should have been the metal polka dot, no? In addition to this, the intake manifold is of the kind that you would find on a 4.2.
Could this car have come like this from the factory as sort of a very late 1964 or has it been somewhat molested before it came into my life?
Kind regards

[Heuer]

This JCNA downloadable document will tell you what it should be like: http://www.jcna.com/library/tech/e-type1.pdf
Later 3.8's had the vinyl centre dash, transmission tunnel, glove box and door arm rests - not sure about the intake manifold though. Do you have the chassis number to hand?

[Mangowi]

Hi,
Thank you for sharing the downloadable document.
The chassis number is 889262 and engine number is RA3747-8
Best regards

[PeterCrespin]

Yes to the vinyl, although it would have been cross-hatched not polka dot alloy. Does it have a 4-synchro box? The manifold sounds wrong and would need a different bulkhead arrangement. Are you certain it's the original engine or even has 3.8 cast in large letters on the right side of the block? Does it still have a dynamo?

Pete

[Heuer]

Please post some photos of the engine bay and interior. RA3747-8 is reasonably close to other cars in that production sequence so the car would be Oct/Nov 1963 build but may not have been shipped until early 1964. The dash is therefore correct as vinyl, the engine seems correct - the only wobble is the odd manifold.

[Mangowi]

Thank you for your reply. I will take some photos of the interior and engine bay once I get to it. I will then also ask if you can determine whether or not the dipstick is the correct one for this car/engine.
best regards

[Mangowi]

I have taken a few pics of the engine compartment, carbs etc. I think I need some assistance in how to post pictures here...;)
/M

[Heuer]

Instructions here: http://etypeuk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1666

[Mangowi]

Thanks for the instructions! Herewith a few pictures of the situation following previous chat:

[PeterCrespin]

The manifold is wrong, as is the bulkhead linkage and presumably the radiator if the 4.2 bypass feeds into it. It's a 3.8 header tank though, so no top right feed and manifold bypass may therefore feed coolant into top of water pump and still have a 3.8 radiator but the pictures do not show.

The interior and gearbox are OK for late 3.8, as are dynamo, brake servo and air cleaner plenum. Dip stick is from a later car.

Pete

[1954Etype]

The manifold is wrong, as is the bulkhead linkage and presumably the radiator if the 4.2 bypass feeds into it. It's a 3.8 header tank though, so no top right feed and manifold bypass may therefore feed coolant into top of water pump and still have a 3.8 radiator but the pictures do not show.

The interior and gearbox are OK for late 3.8, as are dynamo, brake servo and air cleaner plenum. Dip stick is from a later car.

Pete

Ashtray is wrong

[PeterCrespin]

Ashtray is 3.8 but you think they'd gone to the later 4.2 style by then? I was wondering that, and also about the non-grooved plenum actually. It's 3.8 OK but I thought they switched to grooved during the later 3.8s, so if that was supposed to be a late example would it still be smooth?

There must be changeover VINs in Porter or JCNA or wherever?

[1954Etype]

Pete, I've never seen the early ashtray with the later interior. The plenum should be grooved I reckon. The car is either a factory hybrid or someone has fitted a mixture of parts. I suspect the latter.

[Heuer]

Based on everything I have read "many" of the '64 cars had the grooved plenum but not all. I would say it is probably correct to have the plain one fitted. The ashtray is also correct - it was changed to the rectangularly shaped one in January 1964, according to Haddock, at chassis #889503. The winged ashtray arrive at #888512 so this car #889262 sits right in the middle. The dipstick is from an S2 so easily remedied via a new one from SNGB.

The only puzzle seems to be the 4.2 manifold and why it was changed. Not clear whether the accelerator linkage has also been modified to 4.2 spec.

[PeterCrespin]

The only puzzle seems to be the 4.2 manifold and why it was changed. Not clear whether the accelerator linkage has also been modified to 4.2 spec.

It has to be, because the 3.8 has nothing below the pivot by the wiper motor. The 4.2 drop link and lower bulkhead pivot are essential (and fitted to that car) for operating the under-slung carb linkage.

Pete

[Mangowi]

Thanks again for all of your replies and knowledge. I am equally puzzled by the mix of parts. This car belongs to my elderly father and I have recently been asked to get the car going again. After it was restored it was only driven about 3000 kms.
After 1995 it has been permanently parked, with the exception of a few laps around the block every two or three years.
The restauration was technically thoroughly done, but the original car's appearance and parts were used as a model, not considering that such things as manifold or throttle linkage etc could be the wrong kind.
It would of course be great to have the car to correct specs, but fear that the cost involved would be far too great. It is still a beautiful car!