Classic/Antique Car Repair: 58 Jag XK 150, crankshaft pulley, rubber diaphragm

Question
Paul

Had my Jag for about 40 years..did my own work. About 3 years ago I had a slave cylinder failure....Fixing that led to upgrading clutch, and all the suspension. Working alone and limitability of expertise and parts in Maui and family responseabilities left my Jag on jack stands and unfinished..the suspension the clutch are not finished and are disasembled. What do I need to check to make sure the engine etc is not seized before starting to put it back together? Most of the car is original, in good condition and has after market parts when repaired. Thank you.  John

Answer
John:

The first thing you want to do is get a long breaker bar and a socket that will fit onto one of the crankshaft pulley bolts. Try to turn the engine by hand with this. If necessary, use a length of pipe as a "cheater" to gain leverage. Be aware, though, that you don't want to snap off one of those ancient bolts by tightening it too much or too suddenly.

You can also try bumping the motor by simply having the battery at full charge and turning the ignition switch momentarily, or bumping the Lucas solenoid with the button on the top, if it's that type. Sometimes this button in under a rubber diaphragm. Disconnect the coil wire.

If this doesn't budge the motor at all, it may be seized. Seizures are rare, however, unless water has gotten into the cylinders through the carburetors.

Once it's been determined that the engine will rotate, however stiff it might be, you need to get the oil pump to do its job, without cranking the engine. My experience with many motors over the years, is limited to engines that have the oil pump driven from the distributor shaft. Although I do drive a Jag (late model V8), the sixes are different, of course.

If the oil pump is driven from the distributor bottom shaft, you need to make up a shaft from a piece of steel rod, that will engage the oil pump drive key. Put fresh oil into the motor, hook the steel rod into an electric drill, and spin the oil pump until the gauge shows pressure. It's time to check the fuel system for leaks, and if it gets a clean bill of health, make sure the carbs are passing fuel into the manifold, the ignition wiring is back in place, and the timing is in the ballpark, and try to start the engine on the key.

Here's a great link I found while researching my answer:

http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/1958-jag-maintenance.cfm

It is right up your alley, so to speak, in terms of basic stuff that one dedicated owner practices.

Good luck!

--Paul