Jaguar E Type Series II Rebuild - 2023-03-15 - Engine Start

With the exhaust fitted it was time to get the engine started. It has taken 2 years, 4 months and 5 days to get to this point.

Oil in - check!
Water in - check!
Fuel in - check!
Battery in and connected - check!
Prayers said - check!
Fire extinguisher handy - check!

The first couple of attempts to start the engine failed and we worked out that the coil was not seeing voltage. The ignition live feed to the coil comes via the rev counter and somewhere between the fuse, the rev counter and the coil there is a break in the connection.

In order to get the engine started, I simply ran in a new "ignition on" (white) live feed from the fuse box directly to the coil.

There were a couple of other minor issues - the live feed from the battery connection to the starter motor was loose. I had a small fuel leak at the carb tee piece. I rewired the fuel pump earth to get a good connection.

After that, the engine start was achieved with some adjustment to the distributor timing.

I have good oil pressure.

There are a couple of water leaks and I have a huge amount of other checking yet to do. But she started and she purred.

Music today is from the Jaguar Engineering Powertrain Department titled "4.2l, Straight Six Purring."

Right now, I am relieved it started. There is a lot yet left to do but tonight I will sleep well.

HUGE THANK YOU again to Joe Joe for the help. Joe is one of those guys that is able to call me a "MUPPET" because I deserve it and he knows what he is doing.

[hughbishopnh]

Congratulations mate, she's alive. Well done you.

[ClassicCarCave]

John, Congratulations it‘s one of the best times of the restoration apart from driving it 😉😂 The car looks superb and a real credit to your attention to detail.
I had the same experience last weekend with my Jaguar XK 150 and like you I felt very relieved and happy when she fired up. Cheers Dave

[hughtube]

Sweet as a nut. great effort I am so pleased for you. Well done Hugh

[jagvette]

I am so envious, I have to spend so much time on 'other' things' that I cannot dedicate 100% to my baby like you and Classic Car Dave, Oh well one day.

[Danny-vfuq]

John, Congratulations on first start! What an exciting time. This brings back many memories for me - except I wasn't successful on my first (or second) attempt at engine start. :)