2011-07-01 05:58:03 | pauls writes:

Ebay item 7/1/11
jaglovers.org. A very valuable Jag resource.

8 years ago I had the paint totally stripped and redone by Defouw
Chevrolet, This was a 5000.00 investment. There was no through body rust (I used to have pics to show that), but the paint was faded and cracked. Then 7 years ago I replaced the engine with a rebuilt Chevy 350 engine(rebuilt by a highly reputable, local mechanic (He builds race engines as well). I installed a rebuilt quadro-jet carburetor. Transmission is an 700r4.

I used the full "John's Cars" conversion kit (top quality). John's
Cars is a well-known Jaguar conversion company out of Texas. They can be found on the internet.

When I replaced the engine, I also rebuilt the frontend suspension,
All universal joints etc were the higher quality parts. All rubber was
replaced.

I had the front seat leather replaced with Connally leather (jag used
connally leather in original vehicles). I replaced the lower part of the back seat as well.

This leather investment was over $2500.00 alone

I fixed many issues, including replacing the gas tank floats so the gauges work.

Car runs great, and with the Chevy engine can be a daily driver.

I am starting to get rust in the wheelwell area. Car is still
gorgeous, and well worth the investment in the body. As much fun as this car has been, I am getting out of the car maintenance phase of
life (These are great cars, but Jags will always require upkeep). This
car is great for anyone who likes to tinker with vehicles, but wants a
vehicle that is worth the time and investment.

I set up the gas tanks so that they are switchable from the interior
of the car. The conversion kit manual, which I have, tells how to
change that if you wish. The fuel lines are circulating that is to
say, when the pump meets demand, it then, in turn, recirculates extra gas back to the gas tank that is selected. All this is in the manual
as well.

Current issues:

1) some rust around wheel wells.
2) The 350 valve covers gaskets leak a little oil.. My valve covers
were older ones that I painted, so maybe new covers would help. I have not tried a rubber gasket. I always thought I would take it to a
mechanic to fix them, but never got around to it.

3) Though the total front suspension was replaced including the rubber
etc. I did not rebuild the rear suspension. I always thought that
would be fun to drop the rear suspension and replace everything
(including the inline brakes), but never did get it done.
4) Over the 4 years, the engine faltered three times, like it was not
getting fuel. I let it set for a while.. it would start up and go. I
started carrying a can of engine starter, so that when it stalled, I
could shoot it in the carb and see if that got it going. I replaced the catalytic converter.
5) The air conditioner compressor stopped working after two years.
(This was the used the original compressor that came with the rebuilt engine) ... This is a standard American Made Air Conditioner
compressor .. this is all explained in the installation manual as well. It worked great until the compressor siezed up (My 2000 Somoma did the same thing.... GM compressors are known to do this). SInce I did not drive it daily, again I did not do anything with that. (For air conditoning the driver side foot air vent would need to opened
manually, then reclosed for heat, otherwise you get cold air on your
feet in the winter).
6) Cruise used to work, isnt workng now... I have the schematics.
7) windshield washer is not working.
8) The odometer stopped at 150,000. (known issue btw), Other than a trip to Florida after I completed the project, (odometer was working then), Its been driven locally. The odometer has since been fixed.

9) The front end needs aligned. But note that when I rebuilt the front
end I used only the higher quality parts (mind you, I fixed everything
on this car with the intent of keeping it)

10) a few electrical issues. I believe it's involving the interior lights. Haven't spent time trying to diagnose the source.