THE INTERNATIONAL JAGUAR 'S'-TYPE REGISTER FORUM

How much is the stakedown kit and where do you purchase it from Nigel?

There are a couple of firms selling them, the one I fitted to the S Type (exaust side only) was this one from Barratt's. I wasn't too happy with the screws on this kit so this time I'll fit the full inlet and exaust kit from SC Parts that use cap head screws. Normally you only need the exhaust side fitted as that's the hot side that lets go but on the XJ I'll fit both sides for added insurance.

https://www.sngbarratt.com/uk/#!/Englis ... 33c9adea2f

https://www.scparts.co.uk/sc_en/tappet- ... 22484.html

I might do the same as the SC kit is the only one I have seen with the tap and drill included and none of the others state what size and type of thread are on their bolts.

I have heard there is an updated kit with self-drilling bolts, after all, the aluminium is soft and you can just mount a socket to the drill and push the bolts into it.

too much work with drilling and threading, not to mention room for error. I prefer the self-drilling bolts kit. One way in.

Jose
Any info on the self drilling bolts? I can't find anything with Google.

The SNG kit uses self tappers that I wasn't too impressed with.

Nigel,
I just read about it in another forum, so I am not experienced with it like you are.
What did you find with the self tapping screws?

They just don't seem up to the job of holding in as you can't put too much torque on them as they have too finer threads, I used Locktite as belt and braces when I did the S Type . The kit arrived today but it's just too hot out there in the sun to work on it.

A quick update on this. I have fitted the exhaust side stakedown plates but have been waiting for a week for the missing parts of the kit to arrive from SC parts due to a split bag in transit. Parts arrived today so back on it ASAP.

Due to the length of the bolts a drilling is required to go right through the casting and into the oil return gallery, the tap supplied is a taper end item not a blind hole item so requiring a full drilling to be able to provide enough thread. The best way I found to minimize any swarf getting into the engine was to drill nearly all the way through then use the trusty Dyson to vacuum out the swarf before going right through with a touch of grease on the drill bit so the remaining swarf sticks to it, the same with the tap.

Nigel,
I personally don't like the idea of drilling through the head.

hopefully the way you plan it will not push any metal particles inside the engine.

Question: assuming your XJ is RHD, have you ever removed the Speedo or Tach?

As you know, you first push the gauge inwards to compress the spring ring on the rear of the gauge, then in LHD cars, you turn the gauge anticlockwise about 1/4 inch to release the brass stops through the steel notched plate behind the dash wood .

The question is: In a RHD XJ, do you turn the gauge clockwise or anticlockwise?

Thanks.

Hi Jose, as far as i can tell nothing dropped through the holes as i was very careful to clean up as it was drilled.

It's sometime since I took the XJ dash to bits to refinish it but if I remember rightly it was anticlockwise to remove the clocks, I can't see RHD or LHD to be any different.