MkII or S-Type, what say you?

[piman]

Hello all,

to me there is no choice, the MK 2 is the one. The 'S' derivative is too long and ungainly, heavier, and I don't believe that the independent rear suspension gives much of an advantage. The majority seem to be automatics, another minus point.
Incidentally, Ex, only the 2.4 Mk 2 had a single exhaust, both the 3.4 and 3.8 have twin systems. The only advantage the 'S' type has is value for money, the Mk 2 being over valued in comparison.

Alec

 

[Exotexs]

Alec

essentially you are correct, the MK-II has a twin exhaust system, but not in the true-sense-of-the-word, because it exits on only one side of the car, the left side to be exact.

The S-type has a twin exhaust system which exits on both sides of the car. That's what I mean. All models after the S type have a real twin system, the 420, 420-G, MK-X, XJ.

About most S types being automatic, I disagree, at least in the US there is a good selection of both Manual and Automatic. I chose the automatic, for a number of personal reasons. The electronic overdrive being one reason, not known to be reliable and expensive to repair. Less complications with the automatic.

Look at the attached picture to see the twin exhaust system I installed in my S type. everything polished Stainless Steel. Made by BELL UK.

Ex

 

[piman]

Hello Ex,

thanks for the response. Aesthetics versus function, I think.
Your 'S' type system has many more silencer boxes than the MK 2, the latter making do with just two.
I have to say that the overdrive is a delight to drive, and not generally unreliable. Indeed I have often argued the cause for a 4 speed and overdrive in the Triumph\MG forums to the many there would convert to five speed transmissions.


Alec

 

[Keoke]

Hi Alec, /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/iagree.gif However, the Daimler V8 utilises four smoke boxes in all but still makes tunes.---Keoke-- /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

 

[Exotexs]

Keoke said: I was not talking about RPM I was taking about the Daimler 250 Hemi V8's "HP" Potential

the one I drove didn't have much power at all, it felt like a slug, certainly they had not brought it up to its "potential" 1500 HP and I wasn't looking to do that either!

it would seem to me that it should have power, being a V8, but it didn't. I was dissapointed and went on to buy the S type which has not dissapointed me. I like the 3.8 engine better than the 4.2 in my XJ. Lots of power in the 3.8.

Ex

 

[Exotexs]

Alec

yes, that is the original-style exhaust system, and it is very loud too! With so many mufflers, (5 in all) you would think that it would be as quiet as my Series 3 XJ-6, (which has a nearly identical setup in the sense of pipes and mufflers), but the S type sounds very loud, like a sports Jaguar of the 1960's I suppose! The XJ is silent. I have a friend with a show-winner MK-II and my 3.8 S type sounds much louder than his car, which is a 3.4, which I understand is a "sweeter" engine and runs cooler. But everyone wants a 3.8 no matter what.

regards,
Ex

 

[piman]

Hello Ex,

that must be down to the silencer boxes, my MK 2 with two isn't that noisy.
Yes the 3.4 is considered a nicer engine due to it's smaller stroke.
You mention the V8 as being slow, well it only has 2.5 litres. How do they get 1500HP from it and keep it together? There is a 4.5 litre version that was used in the Daimler Majestic Major limousine, that went very well. Sir William Lyons allegedly stopped making it when he bought Daimler as it was faster than the MK 10 at the time.

Alec

 

[AlanT]

All of you a bit cofused. If you want them skinny bumpers then: 1] Buy a Jag MK11, 240 or a 340.

Not all 240's and 340's have skinny bumpers . I have a 340 that has big bumpers. The skinny bumpers came a little later. I think if there is a letter in the serial # then it is a skinny bumper car. FWIW

Alan T

 

[AlanT]

Exotexs asked>
Would you give some pointers on installing a GM tranny in my '65 S type? What do I need? I want to keep the steering column Shifter. I know i'll need a different gate, but you already know how-to do that, right? I agree the original Studebaker auto tranny is reliable. What I want is a 4th top-gear to relax the engine rpms's at interstate speeds.

Alan Replied>
It has been a while , but I got the kit from John's Cars in Dallas. I think I installed a TH350. AFAIK the 700R4 will fit also. The shift linkage is the biggest concern. You just have to get used to the gates. I think the very late 340's came with a BW35 and had a PRNDL instead of a PNDLR pattern. If you could find one of those shift columns it could be a step in the right direction.

I've installed at least four 700R4's in MKIX's. I found out I was the test case for the retrofit. I had to do a lot of redesigning of the linkage and rear mount. The lower ratio first speed start really helped move the bulk. (though the MKIX is not as heavy as it looks)

Alan T

 

[Exotexs]

Alan T

thanks for the info.
I am familiar with John's Cars. I now understand the "gate" business. For the S type, what I want is a
P R N 4 3 2 1, or P R N D1 D 2 1 sort of similar to my '84 XJ-6 but column mounted, and with the added 4th or "overdrive".

I don't like the Reverse being where 1st Gear would be, my tendency is to shift it like a Manual, where 1st is the 1st gate. Bad habit to break. REVERSE should be next to PARK.

However, I suppose a different gate could be machined to match the tranny.

BTW: there is a UK company who is known for retrofitting the XJ-40 "Getrag" transmission to older Jags or any other car. They manufacture their own bell housing-adapter to use the Getrag in 3.8 and 3.4 XK engines. check their site:
https://www.gwautos.com

Ex

 

[Exotexs]

here's what I mean about the MK-II running on three tires during hard cornering. This ilustration shows the front tire after losing contact, but there is a famous photograph of the rear running on one tire only! I'll find it later.
Ex