THE INTERNATIONAL JAGUAR 'S'-TYPE REGISTER FORUM

John, thank you for the reply - mine is maybe a month or two older? My VIN is 75686.

Scott, My later 1964 production MOD 3.8S VIN 76415 was dispatched from the factory on November 5, 1964 so you may be able to roughly determine when yours was made. West coast cars (unless they are within a half mile of the ocean) are almost always rust free which is a bonus. The California and southwest sun as you note, took a toll on the leather and woodwork unless continually garaged. The 1717 N. Orange Drive was the Charles Hornburg service and parts department in a multi story building just off Hollywood Blvd and a half block from the famous Chinese Theater. In my work with Jaguar Land Rover North America I visited that service department many, many times. Charles Hornburg was the west coast distributor for Jaguar for many decades appointing many retail dealers in addition to his own in the LA market. Good luck bringing your S Type back to good operating condition. Always good to see another one saved.

Got it started ...

Since May:

Installed a new gear starter. As many have noted, getting the old starter out and getting a new one in was a major project, with some missteps along the way.

New distributor cap, and several attempts to set the point gap correctly. Cranked but didn't start.

Re-terminated several of the plug wires that looked bad (still using the old copper wires). Cranked but didn't start.

New spark plugs installed today. I used an inline spark plug tester to confirm all six cylinders were getting spark.

The fuel system isn't hooked up - I've been using a squeeze bottle to get gas into the carbs.

With the new plugs it cranked and seemed to almost want to start. Finally this evening I disconnected the return spring and flapped the throttle open and closed a few times, then gave it a squirt of starter fluid. Pushed the button on the end of the solenoid, and it fired up and ran for about five seconds! It also filled the garage with smoke, presumably the un-combusted fuel from my multiple failed attempts. I'm letting the garage air out as I type this.

So, some progress. I haven't touched the carbs yet, but may tackle that next, along with the brakes. : )

Thanks to all for acknowledgments and generous offers of help and advice! Progress has been slow due to work and other commitments, but I hope to either get the engine running soon or at least to have narrowed down the list of reasons it won't start. I'm sure I"ll be coming back with more questions soon. Best, Scott

Welcome Scott. Your project story sounds very similar to mine. It will probably be as exciting in finding out all the unexpected things that previous owners have done to it. I sent my carburetors to Joe Curto in NY to be refurbished. When I got them back I put them on, connected up the fuel lines and it fired up straight away. Plenty of great helpers on here. Good luck. I am over the border in Columbia, SC. If you are over this way drop me a message and maybe we can compare notes,

minimeadow Scott, you might want to update your profile and signon info to show your location on the globe so it will display on all of your future posts on this interesting project.

Welcome Scott,
Its good to see another being resuscitated.

Welcome ~ Nice project.

Just shout for any assistance/guidance.

Lot's of collective experience here.

Welcome to the forum and a nice looking project. The expensive bit is always rectifying rusty body parts and panels so if this is as rust free as you say then you could have a good one.
If you come across a problem there are many on here who will try and help with advice and if you add you location into your details you never know there might be someone around the corner who could even give you a hand.