Has anyone out there replaced a starter on a 71 XKE V-12, how long should this take??? one shop has quoted me 4-5 hours,I think that they are wrong seems to me it might take as long as 6 hours
Chris in Seattle

Submitted by NE52-32043 on Fri, 02/18/2005 - 10:46

Chris,

I did this myself on my old '72 V-12 E 2+2 a couple of years ago. I ended up doing it over a weekend, but actual work time was maybe 4 hours. And I'm not a pro. Would have gone faster if I knew what I was doing.

While you're at it, consider putting in a new high-torque starter, rather than rebuilding the old one. The new one weighs about 8 or 9 lbs., vs. 25 or more for the Lucas. Plus, it turns the engine over much better than the original, and the engine started for me a lot faster. Some people complain about the sound (not authentic), but for the couple of seconds it runs, who cares?

Virtually all of the high torque starters for the E-types are made by a company in Massachusetts called Gustafson. I got mine through SNG Barratt, but most of the "usual suspects" sell them. It was a matter of availability when I bought mine, Barratt had it in stock.

My $.02, but from my point of view, it was a worthwhile upgrade for these cars, V-12 or 6.

Regards,
Steve Weinstein, JTC-NJ
former owner -- '72 E-type 2+2
'70 XKE FHC
'69 XKE OTS (with high torque starter conversion installed)

Submitted by dhawley2@earth… on Thu, 02/17/2005 - 10:47

Hello Chris,

I have the same Jaguar - 1971 2+2 and I replaced the starter in less than two hours actual work. The only problem I had was that the original bolts/threads on starter were fine and the rebuilt starter was course thread. I got the correct bolts in a hardware store and had no problems.

Don Hawley
Florida, USA
2 E-Types
3 other Jaguars