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My Recently Acquired 1985 Jaguar XJ6

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months of scouring ebay!!! and as a side note, if you find the embellsihers, make sure they have the clips, or they simply fall off! IT really dresses the front end up nicely!

there are so many things you can do to upgrade the car if its not a vdp, but if it is, you are kinda stuck just renewing worn bits, i put a refinished vdp dash in, stainless sill plates, rear headrests, reading lights, later model door panels with the wood, the list goes on and on, good luck
 
So, I'm still playing with my 'new' toy (wife calls it my 'Junkyard Cat') off & on...biggest problem appears to be the charging system...guage says its charging at 13 amps but if I don't start it every day, I have to put a battery charger on it (I put a new battery in it when I bought it a few months ago)...

Tomorrow I'll pull alternator to have it bench tested....where's the usual drain?

2nd thing is brakes - they stop it fine, just the pedal goes way low...I've replaced the front brake pads, going for the rears tomorrow...don't see where I'm losing any fluid....

But, I love the way it feels on the road - handling & ride...hopefully, by Spring I'll have it ready to use as my daily driver!
 
Tony, to R and R the alt, remove the sway bar end links, unbolt the rad hose cross tube, and get it out the bottom. Dirty job, but otherwise OK. I usually do it w/ quarter drive stuff, but sometimes you gotta break it loose with bigger stuff. Drain can be anywhere, but check the antenna if it does not work. Also, check that the trunk light turns off.

Bleed the brakes. A good fluid flush usually does it a world of good. Check wheel bearing play in front, and diff hub play in the rear. Movement at either place can push the pads back...
 
RedLines are way to expensive for what you get. If you are planning on running 130mph, get the same that was on it. I used Pirelli and had no problems. When I worked at a Jag shop we put on Michelins and GoodYears, whatever you wanted. The car handles excellently with Dunlops and Pirelli. Just a matter of choice. Dayton wires were a choice by most of our customers, they just aren't the same as the older cars, but DOT regulations and new safety standards are different now. The altenator can be pulled from underneath ( as above ). Most electrical leakdowns can be in the radio, door switches, A/C modules, igniton switch. Try a voltage test and fuse pull to see what is draining it. Rebuilding the altenator may help, but if the drain is still there the battery will still go flat.
 
jessebogan said:
Tony, to R and R the alt, remove the sway bar end links, unbolt the rad hose cross tube, and get it out the bottom. Dirty job, but otherwise OK. I usually do it w/ quarter drive stuff, but sometimes you gotta break it loose with bigger stuff. Drain can be anywhere, but check the antenna if it does not work. Also, check that the trunk light turns off.

Bleed the brakes. A good fluid flush usually does it a world of good. Check wheel bearing play in front, and diff hub play in the rear. Movement at either place can push the pads back...
Click to expand...
Glad to hear that's the easy way...I was looking at it today & wondering "how the heck..." While I'm in there, I'm also gonna remove everything connected to the air pump - we don't need that stuff in Alabama....alternator'll be out & rebuilt by weekend (hopefully!)

I've already replaced the rear brake pads & had to R&R the passenger hub...will do new front pads & "cross-bleed" the brakes...don't think its the MC because I can sit at a stop light with my foot on the pedal & there's no "bleed down" so hoping for air in brakes.

LarryK said:
Most electrical leakdowns can be in the radio, door switches, A/C modules, igniton switch. Try a voltage test and fuse pull to see what is draining it. Rebuilding the altenator may help, but if the drain is still there the battery will still go flat.
Click to expand...
Looks like its time to play with the Prince of Darkness! Everything electrical works fine (& the AC will freeze you!) but that doesn't mean there's not a drain!
 
Did you say Dirty Job??! Maybe you could get the Dirty Job guy to do it for you, get your car on tv and be famous....!!

<crawls back under his bridge and waits for the dude with the billygoats to come by again....>
 
Alternator out - rebuilt & back in...noticed a tiny drip ar water pump while I was under it so old water pump out & new one on order from Engel.

While I'm waiting for it, I'm removing everything smog/air pump related! Cleans up the top of the engine quite nicely!
 
Hi There Exotexs,

I was just driving thru :driving: and the first thing I noticed were that the ext. mirrors seemed to look alike. Not bad for someone with bad vision!!

They both look great but where are the "Spats"? :thumbsup:

Russ :banana:
 
All the emissions stuff is now out - engine looks completely different....new water pump installed...gonna change the oil tomorrow am, replace front brake pads & drive!!
 
Hey Tony,
Ran across this old post on google, and was searching for Kent alloy for my spare for the 1987, it's being sold on ebay due to transmission problems and too many frustrations. Also, a feeler for the 1975 XJ6C, needs ignition re-wired still, the great older Jag pro fell ill again, waited a year, and had to admit that his health was more important than the car. If you hear of anyone that would restore (mainly paint and leather treatment on the 10 or so year old OSJI Connolly new interior the prior owner put in) I'm all ears. Just wondered if you had a decent (or not so decent Kent) for sale cheap so the buyer at least has one in the trunk. I bought 4 after the originals were stolen while the car was being transported here, but already had the XJ40 teardrops mounted with brand new Goodyears, and really can't let that set go for as cheap as I'm selling the 87 Vanden Plas. Let me know if you have a wheel, hope all has been well lately,
Best Regards,
Brian
 
Brian,
If you need Kent wheels contact me off line.
 
Hi, love your car, I have an identical car but it is a 1987, came colour and wheels. Enjoy your lovely car, I enjoy mine.
 
Nothing like the look of the classic Jaguar! Very nice. :banana:
 
Mr. Autoist:

Just what the guy who passed up buying this car wants to hear. It's great, runs well, looks good, etc. etc.

That's why you're the Autoist and I'm just a day late a dollar short.

dave in University City, MO

61 AH BE Sprite (olde English White/red interior)

o4 Mini Cooper S (White over Red)

04 Vespa ET4 (red...it does have British flag valve stems)
 
Yep - those are what I think I want on my Charcoal '85....the '87 will stay original.
 
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