try this
from an Australian website but should help
These complex cars incorporate a variety of rust traps and replacement panels in usable condition are very difficult to find. Areas to check for costly rust include the inner sills, front mudguards and valance, rear wheel-arches behind removable spats, fuel tanks and boot floor. Chromed parts are equally prone to decay and may be so pitted they can’t be rechromed at all. Check the door handles, head and tail-light surrounds for deterioration and the grille for damage.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
The XK engine is inherently durable but demands regular maintenance and a cooling system that’s working at maximum efficiency. Leave the car to idle for a few minutes after test driving, switch the engine off then restart to note any significant rise in temperature. Oil leaks from the cylinder head, camshaft and timing chain covers are common and not especially serious, however emulsified (milky) engine oil signifies serious issues including cylinder head or engine block cracks. Even when in good condition, the manual gearbox will be noisy in first gear and difficult to use until the oil is warm. Check that kick-down – and the Intermediate Hold switch on later automatic cars – both work and that reverse engages within a second or so of being selected.
SUSPENSION & BRAKES
The underside of these Jaguars must be inspected by a Jaguar specialist to ensure major expense isn’t imminent. The power steering used by Mark IX models was vague from new, but looseness, cracking noises when turning tightly and leaks demand investigation. Early lever-action shock absorbers can be rebuilt or the car converted to less-costly telescopics. Brake problems are best solved by a complete system overhaul costing around $2000. Piecemeal component reconditioning simply encourages the next item in the chain to fail. Look for leaks from the wheel cylinders and check that the pedal doesn’t sink dramatically under sustained application.
INTERIOR & ELECTRICAL
This section probably needs a page to itself, but significant issues include cracked or missing leather trim – or a retrim in something other than leather – rust-stained headlining, and cracked or missing timberwork. Authentic interior refurbishing will cost close to $20,000. Make sure that the sunroof (where fitted) opens without crunching noises or pieces of rusted framing falling on your head. Lucas electrics have a reputation for appalling reliability and old Lucas electrics are guaranteed to produce sometimes perplexing problems. Plan to spend considerable time checking that the brake lights don’t come on in conjunction with the wipers and that all the gauges work properly. If paying top money for one of these cars, ensure that the original tool-kit – hidden behind a panel in the front passenger door – is in place and complete.
Fast Facts
JAGUAR MARK VII-VIII-IX (1950-61)
NUMBER BUILT: 30,200 (Mk VII), 6332 (Mk VIII), 10,005 (Mk IX)
BODY: all-steel, separate body/chassis four-door sedan
ENGINE: 3.4 and 3.8-litre in-line six-cylinder engine with double overhead camshafts and twin side-draft carburettors
POWER & TORQUE: 142kW @ 5500rpm, 275Nm @ 3000rpm (3.4-litre Mark VIIM)
PERFORMANCE: 0-96km/h –12.8 seconds. 0-400 metres –18.2 seconds (Mark VIIM)
TRANSMISSION: four-speed manual (overdrive optional) or three-speed automatic
SUSPENSION: Front – independent with torsion bars and coil springs with lever action or telescopic shock absorbers and anti-roll bar. Rear – live axle with semi-elliptic springs, lever action or telescopic shock absorbers
BRAKES: four-wheel drum or four-wheel disc (Mark IX) with power assistance
TYRES: 6.70R16 cross-ply
PRICE RANGE: $2500-45,000
CONTACT: Jaguar Clubs in all States, ACT and NT. Website – jaguar.org.au/saloons
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