1986 Jaguar XJ6 w/355 and TH350

[gmachinz]

Here's some pics before and current....as well as the old dash bezel and the replacement one I designed. When I take a break from my truck, I go to my dads and tinker with getting his Jag more modern compared to when he first bought it. I have a lot of work to do on it. These cars are known for electrical gremlins which is fine with me-I'm re-wiring it all in GM style anyway.

[gmachinz]

The factory GM aluminum intake and carb spacer has to go so I could restore hood clearance. Then, I murdered out a Performer intake in satin black, positioned the various fittings then cleared the whole thing. Carb is junk turns out so I'm going through it now...couldn't clear the 140A alternator so the stock 105A will have to work. Building a front lighting harness for it, installing a 2-speed Motorcraft fan with one of my progressive speed harnesses, etc. And I'm not even ready for the interior yet. But, it'll get all the cool electrical goodies!

[NONHOG]

Drive it before (or after) the swap? Must be a smooth ride.
Pic of the car?

[gmachinz]

It ran before....I didn't actually drive it though-the guy that "got it running" for my dad was dragging his feet with it (as in being in over his head on it) so I told him to just get it so it will drive to my dads and I'll go through it. I didn't want to completely piss the guy off but at the same time I let him know the car needed a lot of attention to detail work and that I'd be happy to finish it. I want it done right for my dad and the faster I could get it out of his hands and into mine the better IMO.

[gmachinz]

ttt. I'm going to be building a new front lighting harness and hopefully convert to express down windows up front. Just want to keep this thread active!

[lightningtruck]

I just found this thread through you profile page. I ordered a PW upgrade for my 83 C-10.
Ironically I have a 73 XJ12 I have owned since 99. I have a 305 with a 700r4 in it. It is regency red which is the same dark red as your dads.
I have been building a 383 for 10 years for it and think I will just move on and install an LS engine with modern trans.
I just re did the headlight setup to euro and have not wired it yet. May need advice now that I see someone with knowledge is also doing it. I have wiring diagrams and want to run relays for my headlights and dual fans. I will delete fans from engine computer.
Currently runs and drives, but under powered!

[gmachinz]

Wow....that's awesome! Yeah, I'm using the stock Lucas headlight switch triggers for the parking and headlights, but from the switch out I'm re-wiring it as a Delphi GM front light harness-Im adding delay off to the headlights as well as express up/down for all 4 doors and express open/close for the factory sunroof too.

[gmachinz]

I'm also running a universal aluminum radiator with a 2-speed RF24 T-Bird fan using one of my 2-speed Volvo relay harnesses to power it.

[lightningtruck]

I just want to use the 12v headlight wires to signal relays so power goes directly to lamps. Should be pretty easy. Access to wires in fenders is a real bear on these cars. I have a relay diagram for lights but they are all made with tons of female spade connectors and garbage. I would like to clean up engine bay and have it look professional.
My windows take approx 15 sec to roll down. All wiring for switches is in console on mine. Wire looms would be in demand to the conversion world. I know a guy in Cali that converts them and I think you could get some business from him, seeing how professional your harnesses are 1st hand. I also will need to wire my GM FI fuel pump. The list is never ending on these British cars. My dad refers to Lucas as the "Prince of Darkness".

[gmachinz]

Yep-already building my GM inspired replacement front lighting harness. I'm using the factory lighting wires as a common relay junction then running the loom along the inner fender....

[gmachinz]

Well...doesn't seem like a huge accomplishment but man, this front lighting mod takes some time! I had to resolder a parking lamp ground, fish wires through the fender chase and I took out the crappy aux. electric fan so I could use that trough as a place to route my lighting loom. I used the factory holes in it to secure my loom with Delphi rosebud clips. I found out too that either I'm missing both upper fender splash shields or it may be possible Jaguars didn't have them-either way a solution needs to be arrived at keeping water/road debris from the tires off the back of the headlight buckets....I'm really beginning to see first hand how crappy the factory wiring is on these cars. I'm being nice when I say its about as decent as stock 1950-60's GM wiring.

Converting the windows to express feature is a little trickier than I first thought-but its doable. The center console switch serves to kill the ground circuit to all windows which will actually work for me to incorporate a single express override so all windows will express down or up simultaneously an can see it in my mind so we'll have to verify once I run new window wiring for a custom loom.

[gmachinz]

Well, no big updates other than a few more pics....my dad had been storing it since Ive been pretty busy lately. But, we pushed it out and the plan is to get back at it....

[gmachinz]

Stock type GM air cleaner fits....barely-it's from an Olds 350 powered Caddy circa early 80's.

[gmachinz]

GM style headlight harnes detail...these cars are NO fun to route wiring on!

[gmachinz]

New CNC cut maple wood panel cut to oe pattern but with Autometer gauges instead of stock Jag ones. The grain pattern also extends into the glovebox door too which is stained the same color.

[Greenlee]

Nice build!

[lightningtruck]

Glad to hear you are working on it. Mine looks the same as before.
I hope to work on mine soon but the red square is 1st. I need to update that thread.
Running wires in Jag is a bear! And those 4 way bullet like connectors.
I have a fish wire in the fenders so future wires can be manipulated.
I have to work on front end suspension and then mine will be back on road for now.
Keep us posted.

[Greenlee]

Nice build!

[gmachinz]

There's a lot of wiring that needs eliminated-once I pulled the center console out all I could do was sit and stare at it all for about 10 minutes. I've never seen so many seemingly random inline twist fuse holders!! And it's all factory stuff too! Ugh.....I had to build a gauge cluster harness for it....and I'll incorporate all my wiring tricks into this car too....the AC delete is temporary too-once it's running I'll have new lines made for it-I think in the end it'll look killer.

[NONHOG]

Originally Posted by gmachinz

There's a lot of wiring that needs eliminated-

I left bits and pieces in my Volvo swap. I plan to clean it up someday.
Not looking forward to it.

[MalibuSSwagon]

I love it. Been dying to get one of these cars.

[gmachinz]

The hardest part was locating a stock type air cleaner assembly-seems simple, right? Well it isn't. The stock Jag hood has support bracing which has the proper recesses for the firewall-fender supports and the air cleaner interfere with them once you try to close the hood. The only viable option is to carefully notch the supports using a dremel. The PO has one of those stupid Edelbrock foam triangular air cleaners on it to get it to clear-and well, I wasn't going with that look. So I found an Olds (or maybe Chevrolet....I don't remember which other than it was in a Caddy) 350 air cleaner with a LH snorkel ducting that even has "5.7 liter" molded on the end of it-pretty cool!