E-Type Tune-Up

Sorry Brian, I meant no offense. But as you stated, it has been sitiing for a year and a half without a clue as to why it stopped.

I do hope the electronic system is a fix for you, but you've now also got your hands full with sour gas in the tank, lines, pump, and carburetors. Good luck!

P McLoad

Brian,

If you change to Pertronix, it is recommended that you change the coil also to the 40,000 volt Pertronix Flamethrower coil. It is matched to optimize the cycling with the Pertronix system. I know a couple of guys who did the conversion and kept the old Lucas coil and had problems, including failure of the Pertronix ignition unit. After changing to the Pertronix coil, no more problems. Be sure to follow the Pertronix installation instructions. It's a very easy project.

I recently bought a Pertronix ignition and coil for my '70 E through a vendor on Ebay, drop shipped direct from Pertronix. Much less expensive than the usual suspects.

Steve Weinstein
'70 XKE FHC

Tom,

Went to Welshent but they don't have 'Fire Ball' listed in their parts or I am missing something. I also went to Pertornix as suggested by David and they seem to have a larger inventory. Why the carb conversion? Currently I have a dual carb which is probably due for a tune-up.

Want to say thanks for replying, it is great to have some help.

B. Smith

Patrick, you are funny guy. The car has been in our family since 1969 so it is not in our mind set to sell. I agree that it is a complex sports car, that is why they need care and I am asking questions given my schedule is opening up.

Thanks for your thoughts

B. Smith

If you don't know why it quit running, then why are you targeting the ignition system?! It could be any number of things...bad gas, fuel pump, etc. Doesn't sound like your car gets much use at all, in which case, an electronic ignition system won't help you much.

I would personally prefer you stay ORIGINAL with the car, and if you are not willing to trouble-shoot and learn how to properly maintain your car, then give it to a Jaguar specialist and have them do it. No offense, but an E-Type is not a "turn the key, drive, park" kind of car. It is a complex sports car that requires a lot of preventive maintenance. You might be better off by selling it and getting a Corvette.

Patrick McLoad
JC Houston

Brian. I put the Pertronix electronic ignition system in my '68 E-Type with the Series II type engine a few years ago as well as my other early 70's era cars and it has worked flawlessly in all three of them since. Is probably easier to install than changing points in the stock system. It all fits inside the distributor cap. Remove the stock breaker plate, install the one in the kit, slip the magnet sensor on the distributor cam and adjust the gap with the included feeler gauge, run the red wire to the positive side of the coil and black wire to neg. side of coil, set timing and you are done. It also allowed me to easily put a hidden ignition kill switch into the car without having to splice into any of the origianl wiring. I bought mine from Exotic Car Parts (they have ad in JCNA magazine) for around $75 a few years ago but think have seen them listed in most of the usual suspects catalogues. The instruction sheet also has Pertronix phone number as 800-827-3758 or www.pertronix.com. Hope this helps

David

Brian,
I've recently installed a Fire Ball electronic ignition and a 4.2 XKE 3-carb conversion in my '69 E-type roadster. Runs great! Try Welsh Enterprises
www.welshent.com.
Good luck,
Tom

Art Dickenson.
1983 XJS GT "Silver"
Pacific Jaguar.ca
Hi Brian,
where do you live, you may have a Jag Lover close by that can help you, our little group are mainly in BC, however we have members from other areas also,Art