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Major JAAAAG project ...Update Feb 2018


leonk

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  • 1 month later...

So bit of a progress report. Every time I see " Update" in Keyser's posts I feel ashamed of the lack of progress on mine. :blush:

 

The bonnet on an E type makes up almost half the car and is made up of 36 separate parts either bonded together or fixed with any one of the 511 nuts, bolts, screws and spltpins. They were made longer than required and then cut down to size where they meet the bulkhead to fit each individual car. They were then adjusted using various shims, behind the hinges so they line up with the sills and bulkhead. Imagine buying a bonnet from Alex and being given a big bag of spacers and told you'll have to cut it down to make it fit! Whats more a replacement bonnet will set you back in excess of £5k.

Fortunately my bonnet seems to be in good condition with I suspect the outer wings being replaced at some point.. The downside is that the panel gaps were terrible. So after three weekends taking it off and putting it back on, It now fits as it should. Then to take it all apart for blasting, dipping repairing where nec. and etch priming, something way beyond my capabilities so it's going to a specialist. I just hope I can put it back together.

The next picture may not seem much but trust me getting there was a PITA. You can see the shims.

 

Etypebonnetshims001_zpsd95b2853.jpg

 

Now, I did a huge amount of research on these cars, looked at quite a few, joined a forum etc and one of the buying bits of advice was " beware of patches welded or riveted over the rear parts of the floors that hide a multitude of sins and are disguised by underseal from below". So in effect you've still got a solid MOT worthy floor that looks good from underneath, but it's a bodge up covering more rust.

 

The dilema is how do you say to a prospective seller, excuse me,can I just rip out your seats and carpets and trim to have a look at the floor........ you can't.

You've guessed, I removed all the seats, trim and sound deadening to find just such a bodge :lol: Fortunately and I say that with everything crossed, this is the only real issue but i will reserve judgement until the body and the bonnet are blasted back to bare metal.

 

Etypefromabove001_zps847a0576.jpg

 

Etypefloor001_zpsfc6fedea.jpg

 

New floors and old floors

 

Etypenewfloors001_zps2bcced5e.jpg

 

Dismantling the bonnet

 

Etypebonnetlower001_zps260e39b8.jpg

 

 

The next job is to dismantle the space frame at the front, just leaving the body tub. I then need to build a "rotisserie" out of 4x4 box section that bolts to the body and will allow me to rotate the body around a central axis to work on the underside, I've bought the steel, it's just a matter of fabricating it. ( a job in itself ) Then we can tackle the floors

 

The good news is that i found nearly $3.00 dollars in change under the trim and Keyser has bought some bits off me so all I need to do is sell a kidney to continue the project.

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The annoying thing is that I sat down and tried to realistically budget for each part of the restoration but it's the unforeseen that catches you out. Example being the electrics. I had set aside £1000 for that but having removed the 40 + year old loom it looks like that is going to need replacing at an extra £700. Lesson learnt is don't begin to budget until it's all stripped down. I'll be happy when the body is all stripped repaired and primed. I have to be honest and say that sometimes I look and think I'm in over my head. I wonder if Keyser ever opens the Zed Shed door and thinks that. I doubt it. Keep calm and carry on!

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I'm getting the xkr to a point I can sell it in about 12 months time. But should get most of my money back out. But that will take me to 3 years in the jag which is the longest I've ever owned a car. Will be hard, but I have some new projects on the horizon.

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......................................

I have to be honest and say that sometimes I look and think I'm in over my head. I wonder if Keyser ever opens the Zed Shed door and thinks that. I doubt it. Keep calm and carry on!

 

 

Only everytime I open the ZedShed door :lol:

 

I'm jealous of you getting to do an E Type and I'm on a Mini :)

 

I did it with the Zed when it was in bits with piles of parts all over the place and so much to do before I could even think about her being back on the road, it's the same with the Mini if you look at everything to do!

 

- so I don't -

 

and that's how I do it, it's not a big job bolting a new shock absorber on, putting 2 bearings in a hub takes 30 mins, bolting a subframe in is an hour's work etc.

So in my head its just 1 little job at a time and by the end of the weekend the whole rear sub frame, suspension, brakes, bearings etc are all back in! Simples :)

 

Don't lose faith my man you are doing a cracking job bringing an all time classic and one of my favourite cars back to its former glory :thumbs:

 

I don't think the few bits I bought from you will make a substantial difference to the build - maybe I could be credited with helping to purchase a new valve cap :lol:

 

If I can help with anything just drop me a PM :thumbs:

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Cheers Chris, really appreciate that. As regards "maybe I could be credited with helping to purchase a new valve cap :lol:" This is what you've actually bought.......x3 (pen for scale)

 

Etypeclipwipers001_zps0f79984d.jpg

 

 

They hold the ball and socket joints together on the wipers and cost £12.00 each!!!!. So whenever I (eventually) turn on the wipers I will think of you :p

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:lol:

 

That means you will only think of me on rainy days :(

 

Or not at all as you will only take the Jag out in nice weather :scare:

 

Anyway get cracking I'll be posting another "update" on the Mini build later tonight - just to make you feel guilty :p:lol:

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Excellent mate, worth the wait... :)

 

The rotisserie sounds like a big job... what style are you going for, the full job or a tilter?

 

bul4004.jpg

tilt.jpg

 

Looking forward to more updates, and if you need a hand with any heavy lifting you know where i am. :thumbs:

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You could cook an entire cow with one of those!

 

Obvs some kind of fire too, maybe a Miura flame grill....

 

 

Excellent mate, worth the wait... :)

 

The rotisserie sounds like a big job... what style are you going for, the full job or a tilter?

 

bul4004.jpg

 

Looking forward to more updates, and if you need a hand with any heavy lifting you know where i am. :thumbs:

Edited by SuperStu
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Excellent mate, worth the wait... :)

 

The rotisserie sounds like a big job... what style are you going for, the full job or a tilter?

 

bul4004.jpg

 

 

Looking forward to more updates, and if you need a hand with any heavy lifting you know where i am. :thumbs:

 

As above so that the body can be rotated through 360 degrees. As regards lifting, I thought you had to watch your back but as an extra pair of hands to position things I may just take you up on that :thumbs:

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Excellent mate, worth the wait... :)

 

The rotisserie sounds like a big job... what style are you going for, the full job or a tilter?

 

bul4004.jpg

 

 

Looking forward to more updates, and if you need a hand with any heavy lifting you know where i am. :thumbs:

 

As above so that the body can be rotated through 360 degrees. As regards lifting, I thought you had to watch your back but as an extra pair of hands to position things I may just take you up on that :thumbs:

 

Awesome, that will be cool.

 

My back should be fine for some heavy lifting, it's mainly fatigue that causes problems i.e. if i've been bent over all day working in the garden, or if i've been an idiot and tried to play some kind of sport. :blush:

Edited by marzman
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Thanks for the comments guys. The original colour was " willow green" according to records and is still visible in places. Unfortunately this is a rather pasty and undesireable green hence the respray in what i' m assuming is signal red at some point in the 90's. Colour is going to be a difficult decission but some way off yet. I'll just be happy to see it in primer!

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