Restoration, 2009
Some upgrades and small fixes planned for this year, let's see...
Rear right door
Rear right door stopped opening from outside. I removed door panel from inside and looked in. A spring in the mechanism was not able to pull lever to correct position. I removed the whole mechanism, cleaned it and reoiled it. And then put everything back in. Seems to work fine now. Sorry, forgot to take pictures about the mechanism.
Ignitor pointless ignition
Installed an Ignitor, pointless ignition system inside distributor. Easy job, just few screws off, old parts (points, condensator and base plate) out and Ignitor plate with magnet sensor in and magnet to rotor axle. Nothing premanently changed, old parts can be put back, even on road if needed.
SU air filters
I have always thought that it is pity to hide beautiful aluminum cam covers and the whole nice XK engine under that big and ugly air filter can (see engine pictures at Year 2002,2007). So I ordered smaller SU air filters, which attach directly to carbs, to the side of the engine and leave the engine visible from up. Installing was little bit difficult because there was not too much space for fastening nuts between filters and carb mechanics, but not too bad. At least it looks good, let's see if I need to readjust carbs because of changed air flow resistance? And in worst case new carb needles needed...
Here are new filters in place.
New steering wheel
My old/original bakelite steering wheel was cracked in some places. Not too bad and I guess there is metal core so it won't fell in pieces, but it was little uncomfortable to touch. First I thought about getting similar better one but then I decided to get Moto-Lita wooden steering wheel, it looks so great! And as it has been manufactured since late fifties and used in Jaguars in sixties, it is not out of place but period tuning. No problems in installing, very easy job.
Just driving through summer
Nothing special nor problems during the summer, just wonderful driving. I even did first time 120km/h on a trip to Tornio Jaguar Get Together (see Drives, Shows, Friends page) and even at those speeds the car was fine. Well, why wouldn't it be, it is made for those speeds and higher! This picture is by Oulu river in the center of Oulu. Nice +30C day. Without AC it gets pretty hot in the car, but we don't have too many that warm days in Finnish summer.