I just purchased a 1970 XKE Roadster in beautiful original condition with only 29,000 miles. So far the only problem I found is noisy valves. A mechanic for a collector looked over the car for me and suggested I have the valves adjusted but only with someone that has the proper tools to adjust Jaguar valves. Later on I checked the oil and found it to be down 3 quarts, but I don't see any smoke or oil on the floor. Any ideas and does anyone know of a Jaguar mechanic in Miami.

Yale

Submitted by NC19-03320J on Sun, 03/29/2009 - 20:45

Curt ,
There have been lengthy discussions over the past several years about the removal of ZDDP on most of the car forums. In fact many if not most of the race cam grinders sent out warning notices with recommendations of what oil to use which included Brad Penn. From the many messages from a number of sources it appears that several of the lifter manufactures in this country went out of business at around the same time that the ZDDP levels were reduced and it was the opinion of some people that sub standard lifters made off shore were responsible for at least part of the problem. Jag engines being over head cam without pushrods, & rocker arms to contend do not require as much spring pressures as say an MGB or late 60's muscle car. No one on the Jag Lovers forum reported having any lifter problems but "just in case" I've been using Castrol Textion Extra which is a diesel oil and has the full shot of ZDDP.
If it took you four attempts to get each camshaft clearance correct you must be hanging around with Stew Cleave too much! Please make sure that Stew sees this! Thanks,
Bob

Submitted by bonnettoboot@e… on Sun, 03/29/2009 - 00:47

It's hard to imagine that a cae that has been looked after so well would be three Quarts low, that is a lot; It is also odd that it has noisy tappets (if thats what it is) as, when the valve seat faces wear, the valves get quieter! It probably means that someone has been in there!

Submitted by wcjssj@comcast.net on Sun, 03/29/2009 - 00:28

Hi Yale

The Feds mandated lower ZDDP in modern oils to protect the catalytic converter. All regular oils are at 600 to 800 ppm ZDDP, and you require at least 1200ppm when your car has tappets or you will ruin the system. I use Brad Penn 20W-50 Grade 1 Racing Oil. You want 20W-50 for a Jag, and there are other specialty oils with 1200 ppm ZDDP.

Jag valves adjust with discs of various thicknesses like a modern car. No special tools are required, but you have to remove the camshafts to get at the discs, which is a pain. And of couse you must have other discs to change for the proper thickness. Even with a micrometer ts more trial and error than you would guess, and it took me four tries on each camshft to get all the valves adjusted.

Good luck

Curt

Submitted by SC38-21185J on Sat, 03/28/2009 - 20:07

I don't think I would rush to a mechanic just yet. 29K miles is pretty darn low (congratulations) and you shouldn't need a valve adjustment. Keep in mind that overhead cams that use tappets (as opposed to modern day rollers) will naturally be noisy to an extent...they will not be silent.

Being 3 quarts low is not too bad, and really shouldn't have caused any damage to the camshafts.

I would first change the oil and put in an oil designed for older engines. Castrol makes a line of oils for vintage cars. What you are looking for is an oil that has a zinc additive which "lubricates" tappets. I personally run Mobil One in my Jag, but I don't know if that is best for you.

There are folks on this forum that can advise you on the proper oil for you car. Oil manufacturers have simply gotten away from the older formulations as those listed on your ID plate. There are also zinc additives, but I don't have any experience with them.

Be sure to change your filter as well. If you care more about functionality over originality, I would advise you get an adapter that will allow you to use a spin-on oil filter from auto parts store. Never use a Fram oil filter.

Get opinions from other Jaguar E-Type owners before committing to a valve tappet adjustment job. It's not that easy a thing to do.

Patrick