Submitted by redbil@aol.com on Wed, 04/03/2013 - 15:27

I own a 68 OTS which I have had since new and which is completely original. A much needed restoration is almost complete and there are two changes I would like opinions on. The effort was not performed as an investment but because I am attached to the car and I do not plan on selling it in the near future. However, I do not want to make changes that would undercut its value.

First is to replace the dual Stromberg intake manifold with a triple SU setup. Adding vacuum advance to the distributor would, I think, make the engine a series 1 equivalent.

Second is to add covered headlights. I expect to hear some negative comments but, nevertheless, they look good. Incidentally, there will be no claims that this is a rare newly discovered configuration.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Bill Braun

Submitted by redbil@aol.com on Sat, 04/06/2013 - 22:09

To all participants, thanks for the input. After hearing more success stories with the carb secondary throttle changes, I drove to SNG Barratt for some repair kits (it is really helpful to have them close by). Ends up one carb had a damaged o-ring and the other, a cracked gasket. I am hopeful things will run better this week after reinstalling and my urge to replace the manifold will subside.

Covered head lights are another matter. After your inputs I have several options to pursue and who knows which way things will go. Thanks again.

Bill Braun

Submitted by howardbollinge… on Sat, 04/06/2013 - 13:24

To John Lynch,
John, I'll bet you would get more responses to your hot fuse question if you would start a new thread with the subject being Hot Fan Fuse Problem.

Down at the bottom of a thread about 68 E type alterations doesn't get you the responses you need, IMHO.

Submitted by DavidBarnes71@… on Sat, 04/06/2013 - 12:03

John I also found the fan fuse on my car would get very hot several years ago. There seems to be a lot of different things on that fuse. I switched my car to the Coolcat fans since they seem to draw less current than the originals. I am not sure if mine were just old and drawing more than they should have but the Coolcat fans seem to have solved that problem along with being the last piece of the puzell to keep my car adequately cool on a 90 deg day in Houston.

I also had the ignition switch fry on my car along with some of the wiring. I replaced it with Lucas p/n 34680. It seems like a much more robust switch than what was in my car when I bought it in 2000

David Barnes
68 FHC

Submitted by jlynch10@yahoo.com on Fri, 04/05/2013 - 20:04

My e-type is a series 1 1/5 coupe 4.2

My number six fuse has the twin fans are wired to. I noticed that the fuse was black from heat and replaced the fuse which was not a tight fit because of the effect of the heat on metal fitting. Also the fuse holder plastic had been effected by the heat.

I have now replaced the fuse holder..

On hot days driving in the city, my ignition switch gets very hot which I check by touching it.

On a country trip on a hot day, my ignition switch did not get hot no doubt because of the good air flow and reduced need for the fans!

I would appreciate your suggested fixes to reduce my hot wiring problem.

Submitted by howardbollinge… on Fri, 04/05/2013 - 14:07

All you guys on this thread,
Greetings to all and thanks to those of you who have looked at my car on xkedata.com. and expressed that you kinda like what I've done. Oh BTW. Jay, please, call me Howard, not Mr. Bollinger! I am one that stands on as little formality as needed and makes friends as quickly as possible.
I thought someone mentioned it on this thread but I looked and couldn't find it mentioned here, so regardless, if you want to be inspired by a younger guy, I'm 75, so almost everybody is younger, take a look at MonocoqueMetalworks.com. in Delaware. Chuck is his name and he is a true savior of our marque and particularly the beloved E.
His site is superb and his story of his love affair with the E since he was a teenager is exceptional.
I do not normally mention specific vendor names in posting, and I am in no way a spokesman for Chuck but here, I really feel his dedication to preserving E-Types deserves special mention here. Look at all the areas of his site, inspirational!

Submitted by howardbollinge… on Fri, 04/05/2013 - 14:04

All you guys on this thread,
Greetings to all and thanks to those of you who have looked at my car on xkedata.com. and expressed that you kinda like what I've done. Oh BTW. Jay, please, call me Howard, not Mr. Bollinger! I am one that stands on as little formality as needed and makes friends as quickly as possible.
I thought someone mentioned it on this thread but I looked and couldn't find it mentioned here, so regardless, if you want to be inspired by a younger guy, I'm 75, so almost everybody is younger, take a look at MonocoqueMetalworks.com. in Delaware. Chuck is his name and he is a true savior of our marque and particularly the beloved E.
His site is superb and his story of his love affair with the E since he was a teenager is exceptional.
I do not normally mention specific vendor names in posting, and I am in no way a spokesman for Chuck but here, I really feel his dedication to preserving E-Types deserves special mention here. Look at all the areas of his site, inspirational!

Submitted by alan.barc@veri… on Fri, 04/05/2013 - 12:46

Bill - Richard Wright, who is the technical E-Type sage here in Dallas has provided a covered headlight conversion kit for SII and SIII models for several years under the name Jag Eyes. As I recall there is one conversion which is reversible. You can contact Richard at www.jag-eyes.com, duntov1attx.rr.com, or at 214-718-0607 and he can tell you if he can fit your SI.5. I have seen some of his modified cars and they do look good.

Submitted by bonnettoboot@e… on Thu, 04/04/2013 - 20:38

To add a little to the 'customising your car" or, anything else you really like. If any of you go to Europe try to fit in International E type Day, You will find many hundreds of E types of all colours, modifications of every sort and amazing customisation. There, very few, if anyone (dealers excepted) buys a jag for latent value, in fact many spend much more than the value of the car to make it the way they want it. It is personalisation and it makes for a spectacular sight.

Submitted by DavidBarnes71@… on Thu, 04/04/2013 - 19:55

I removed the secondary butterfly plates on my '68 10+ years ago and I loved the improved throttle response enough that it mostly cured my envy for the 3 SU set up. I left all the shafts etc intact and just pulled the secondary plates out of the shaft. I have not had any problems due to the removal of them. I have had problems that make it run rich or rough due to float problems and gasket leak at the cross-over pipe mating surface but runs great when those problems were resolved.

As far as covered head lights the SNG Barrett catalogue I have shows a Series 1.5 and series 2/3 conversion kit. The pic of the series 3 they show looks great. It calls out p/n sbs9251 for the 1.5 and sbs9252 for the 2/3. I wrote down $1400 when I think I called them about it several years ago but that may be wrong and / or long out of date.

David Barnes
'68FHC

Submitted by redbil@aol.com on Thu, 04/04/2013 - 14:55

Edited on 2013-04-04 15:00:12

Mike, Bob and John,

Your differing results with secondary throttles adds to my confusion. I had very different reactions to this change when operating the engine on a test stand and when back in the car. Although it is easy to undo, the mod makes for much smoother throttle linkage movement and that alone makes me want to keep it. I think some experiments with blocking the manifold crossover would be worth a try. Incidentally, a photo of one way to lock the throttle position is included below. The short rod fitting into a recess in the carb body is a hardwood dowel.

As for modifications in general, I appreciate the various opinions from all and will try to muddle my way to a decision.

Howard, I admire your courage to drive without bumpers.

Submitted by howardbollinge… on Thu, 04/04/2013 - 12:53

More on my feelings about strictly stock versus modifying.

You see on my post, a 1954 XK 120SE, # 674495 listed. This car was JCNA National Champion in class, in 2000 and 2001. It was a 100 point car, dead perfect, stock and beautiful. I spent 3 to 4 years in research, rebuilding components , having a shop do the major work and then assembling. This was the most memorable and rewarding part of the process, Towing and showing and always winning for 2 years, was great but became highly stressful. Been there, done that, sold it!

Through all that, I had my E, with always something for me to do and or create for modifying it to how I wanted it to look. And for 99% of the time, always having the ability to DRIVE it ,unless it was getting it's new 5 speed, or air conditioning or new custom top etc.

I kind of get bored at shows seeing a row of dead stock cars of any model, lined up with only the color combination of body, hood and interior being what's different, one from another. I really have fun with my E!

Submitted by cebotech1@yahoo.com on Thu, 04/04/2013 - 11:48

I agree with Howard. I am starting a restoration on my '68 FHC that I have owned for 32 years. I did a rolling restoration on the car when I purchased it, and then my wife and I put 90,000 miles on it. In fact my wife learned to drive a stick shift on this car. The car has been stock all along, but I have some planned modifications to it for increased drivability and personal preference/fun (the same wife and I hope to put another 90,000 miles on it).
Up-grading the brakes to Series II, Tri-carb setup and XJ6 head for better breathing, 5 speed transmission, and newer style AC. Note: all these modifications can be reverted, and I am keeping all the original parts.
I am sure these changes will affect the value of the car, but this would only be a factor if I planned on selling the car. But since I don't... Have fun and enjoy the car the way you like it.
Just my 2 cents.

Submitted by howardbollinge… on Thu, 04/04/2013 - 08:25

Bill,
Any changes you make from original has the chance to undercut the value of the car. But it's YOUR car and you are not going to sell it. Don't worry about somebody else and what they will think about things you like to do with YOUR car. I say, do the car the way that pleases YOU! Take a look at my car on xkedata.com. Search for car #875864. You'll see what I've done with my 1961 S1 for the last 42 years. I never worry about what it's worth to somebody else, it is my treasure!

Submitted by jlynch10@yahoo.com on Thu, 04/04/2013 - 01:31

My series 1 1/2 with twin strombergs has both the secondary butterflies disconnected from external linkage and tied to hold the secondary butterfly open. Acceleration is great and start up is great.

The change was done by the previous owner.

Looks easy to do and easy to change back.

Refer photograph attached.

Submitted by jlynch10@yahoo.com on Thu, 04/04/2013 - 01:30

Edited on 2013-04-04 1:37:12

Edited on 2013-04-04 1:36:35

Edited on 2013-04-04 1:34:41

My series 1 1/2 with twin strombergs has both the secondary butterflies disconnected from external linkage and tied to hold the secondary butterfly open. There are two butterflies to adjust.

Acceleration is great and start up is great.

The change was done by the previous owner.

Looks easy to do and easy to change back.

Refer photograph attached.

Submitted by Bfastr@cox.net on Thu, 04/04/2013 - 01:18

Bill, I have a 69 SII with the dual carbs. I tried the same thing removing the secondary butterflies and the car ran terrible. just as you are seeing, mine was way too rich running at low speeds. and I truthfully didnt see any improvement in acceleration.
Maybe it should be re-tuned for this is, but I decided to return the car to its intended design.

Having said that, I have three carb envy, I think the SUs are beautiful and really look good on the XK engine. but my car is a one family car in original condition.
I get a lot of compliments on the fact it is original. and the $4500 cost of three carbs seems a bit steep. I use my car for cruising only, I am sure there are advantages to the 3 carbs, but I kind of like having a stock car , and for the kind of driving I do it performs just fine.

and since I am throwing out my 2 cents.. leave the open headlights. the S 1/2 is the best looking combination in my opinion.

thats just my thoughts since you asked. I am certain this thread will generate a lot of opinions.

Bob F
1969 SII OTS.

Submitted by redbil@aol.com on Wed, 04/03/2013 - 21:57

Thanks, Mike. I did remove the secondary throttles after reading the earlier postings here but am having difficulty getting smooth operation especially when cold. I rebuilt the carbs and they seem to operate OK but the engine is clearly running rich. If the carbs need replacing the extra cost of changing the manifold will be slightly less painful.

Bill

Submitted by stephenreps@ea… on Wed, 04/03/2013 - 21:54

I have a 68 OTS , an have rebuilt several bonnets series 1 , 1 1/2 and 2 's .The 1 1/2 opening for the headlites is larger than a series one.You will have to add to the opening, reducing its size.Out of all the bonnets out there yours is the rarest .

Submitted by stephenreps@ea… on Wed, 04/03/2013 - 21:53

I have a 68 OTS , an have rebuilt several bonnets series 1 , 1 1/2 and 2 's .The 1 1/2 opening for the headlites is larger than a series one.You will have to add to the opening, reducing its size.Out of all the bonnets out there yours is the rarest .

Submitted by mfrank@westnet.com on Wed, 04/03/2013 - 21:48

It's your car, but I wouldn't do it. Years ago it could be done cost effectively, but bonnets, manifolds and carbs are becoming quite expensive. We can debate how these mods affect value, but no matter what, the value won't rise to cover your costs.

Did you know that you can get considerably more power by disabling the secondary throttles? It's a cheap, reversible mod that gets you a little more joy.