XK 120 with Chevy V-8 ?

[beaulieu]

going to look at a XK 120 with a small block Chevy V8/ powerglide in it.

Has anyone else seem this conversion ?


how much do you have to hack up the chassis or firewall to get it in ?

anything else to look at they which they may have modified ?

are stock XK 120 motors and gearboxs pretty available ?

Just trying to figure out which places to look at with the idea of putting the Jag motor/gearbox back into it

thanks for your advise

 

[Exotexs]

if it was me, I would pass on it, or buy it and leave it as it is. Trying to re-modify an already modified lump will leave you dissapointed and broke. You can get an original engine (but not "the" original), for around $10k, in rebuilt condition, because if you get one that needs rebuilding, you're looking at $9k for a professional rebuild. For that kind og money you might as well get one in complete condition.

 

[beaulieu]

Well since I have not seen it yet , I am not sure what its like , or even the price,
its been sitting 15 years,

Problem is that back in the 60s-70s when these conversions were done they were not done nice, get the cutting torch out and get that extra stuff out of the way,

a friend of mine had an XK 140 with a straight 6 Ford engine,
it fit good and nothing had to be cut away ,

Now a V-8 , well we will see

Beaulieu

 

[John S Farrington]

I am not sure that a V8 would fit an XK frame/engine compartment. Are you sure that this might not be a fiberglass kit car?

 

[beaulieu]

it is an alloy body

never underestimate what a California hotrodder can do when he has an extra Small block chevy /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[David_K]

If its an Alloy body the owner should be SHOT! Only 240 were made and fully restored examples are worth SIX FIGURES! Check the vin plate and get back to us so we can find this idiot and have our way with him.

 

[beaulieu]

the present owner had nothing to do with the V-8 conversion

Beaulieu

 

[Exotexs]

...but you just can't kill the beast... Welcome to the Hotel Californiaaa...
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif

 

[Lynn Kirkpatrick]

This just shows that not all ideas are good ideas. If it is an alloy body, wouldn't it be worth preserving, just because of rarity?

 

[beaulieu]

if its an alloy body and a decent price I will buy it and figure out what to do with it later,

If its too much for me to tackle I can always trade it off for something else,
Beaulieu

 

[beaulieu]

Re: XK 120 with Chevy V-8 ? up-date

Well I finally got a chance to look at it today ,

its pretty straight , does not seem to have any major rust , nothing in the doors etc
Alloy panels seem to be the front and rear hoods , the front fenders seem to be steel , were there other alloy panels that I do not know about ,

Does have a V-8 Chevy and powerglide and a chevy rear axle,

Cutting torchs were used on the inner fender wells

Overall its pretty neat , but no price yet , hopefully he will figure it out this week

Beaulieu

PS....sorry no photos , I did not have my camera with me when I caught him at home , since I have been trying to see it for a month I figured I better take the drive right then......

 

[David_K]

Re: XK 120 with Chevy V-8 ? up-date

Oh good!! Only the first 240 made were completely aluminum. Standard cars used aluminum hoods and deck lids.

 

[Marvin Gruber]

Re: XK 120 with Chevy V-8 ? up-date

Can tell you a worst story. Looked at a XK120 roadster a couple of years ago. Very straight, solid body. It had a 350 chevy engine with 4 speed installed. Firewall hacked to install motor and chevy steering column. AS I looked closer, the body was setting on a Toyota truck frame. It fit nicely. Would have bought the car if it had been the original frame. Ten feet away it looked very original. Understand it went to a guy that was going to make fiberglass molds from the car body. Maybe I ought to check on it.

Marv