I need advice on my 74-XKE-V12. The car has OPUS Electronic Igntion. The 3 core cable from the distributor to the amplifier has sheared at the grommet on the side of the distributor. Can somebosy advise what the minimum replacement part is and a source?

Also the Repair Owners Manual States that this cable should not be extended or seperated. In my car the amplifier was moved to reduce heat failure problems (I live in So Cal). What are the negative effects of extending the cable?

Advice appreciated

Submitted by hamiltonl@mac.com on Sat, 03/04/2006 - 14:15

Hi Bill and Steve
Just wanted to let you know I have installed an upgraded systems from SNG Barrat and I am very pleased with the results. Will see how the car runs in the heat of summer. Thanks for the advices.
Les Hamilton
74 XKE OTS
83 Vanden Plas

Submitted by hamiltonl@mac.com on Sun, 11/13/2005 - 12:16

Edited on 2005-11-13 12:38:45

Hi Bill and Steve. Thanks for the input. The wires are snapped at the grommet going into the distributor. I am looking at replacement systems now.
Les Hamilton
'74 XKE OTS

Submitted by NE52-32043 on Tue, 11/08/2005 - 17:41

Bill is right (of course). The cable on the OPUS system is an integral part and cannot be extended or shortened. When you say it sheared off, not quite sure what you mean. If the wires are cut, you may be able to piece it back together. But you cannot add a length of wire in there to move the amplifier off the engine.

There is a later version of the amplifier that was put out that does have a longer wire in order to move the amplifier off of the head. When I had a Ser. III, I simply raised it up off the head and rested it on a bracket that I made of aluminum to bridge the V and put it up behind the AC compressor. It was still hot there, but not as hot as sitting down in the V.

A number of folks (Pascal, you can chime in) have changed to after-market systems like Crane or MSD. Also, SNG Barratt offers a replacement kit (not cheap) that replaces the distributor, coil and amplifier with the later HE system used in the later XJS V-12's. I know several people who have done that conversion and love it.

Steve Weinstein
'70 XKE FHC, '69 XKE OTS
Former '72 E-type 2+2 owner

Submitted by bonnettoboot@e… on Sun, 11/06/2005 - 14:05

Try repairing the cable, it might work. the cable length is important because of the resistance value, you could check the resistance of the original and the substitute or just repair the break. Otherwise just buy a new amplifier OR switch to an aftermarket ignition system. Jaguar affectionado and etc.