OK, picked the Big Cat up a couple of days ago with the newly installed Tremec five speed manual...absolutely a blast to drive, but per my earlier post it now won't start, which I suspect means a return to the shop for a new gear reduction starter.

Couple of other byproducts of the conversion: 1) the convertible top will not lower. With the OEM automatic tranny it had to be in Park for the top to move, so will have to figure out how to counter this safety feature with a manual, or how to bypass it. 2) with the automatic I guess that I never knew if the parking brake worked or not...it does NOT, so a repair is needed to it.

So, any thoughts on the top issue? Or the parking brake fix?

Thanks.

Submitted by SE98-32482CJ on Wed, 09/25/2013 - 08:03

Ian Hess and Eisenhart had modified several XJS cars prior to their deal with Jaguar NA. Those cars are un documented by Jaguar as there was no warranty or dealer support for those efforts. The "official" cars are documented and a certificate can be obtained here in the Library. As to the transmission question H&E was turning coupes into convertibles so a transmission swap was easily within their skill set, however the Jaguar supported cars (read full warranty) only had the GM automatic. The easiest way to determine if options were "official" or not is look at the document base for support structure. In this case there are no bulletins, parts catalogs, sales literature, or any other mention of a non standard transmission. When that situation exists one can be sure it was not standard. Now the possibility exists that H&E did this for a customer or they did it as an exercise for Jaguar or themselves. If the latter is so then there will be a record of the modification IF it was accepted into the Jaguar supply train. Hope this helps. There is a lot of confusion on converted cars. The H&E was a good car (have enjoyed one for 20 years) but there were a lot of "converters" doing the job. Those are largely junk and most have failed body structure at this point. There is a UK site that is dedicated to the XJS and XJ-S and even those knowledgeable folks have some very incorrect car pictured as a H&E conversion--it is not!

Submitted by NW42-16909J on Tue, 09/24/2013 - 23:32

I recently purchased a Hess and Eisenhart XJS convertible that has a Keisler manual transmission that was apparently fitted by H&E? In the shop getting a tune-up and servicing, before I venture out on the open road. My guess is that this is an unusual conversion? Are there any others out there?
I am going to post separately an appeal for anyone with knowledge of the TWR XJS conversions of the mid 1980s. I have a 1987 model, but I have been unable to find any reference material or history of the TWR conversion?
Cheers!
Ian

Submitted by stevejag@sbcgl… on Mon, 08/26/2013 - 20:40

Lots of questions, George.
The first of which is what did the guy do to ensure safety? Did he provide for any cranking inhibit, so you can't start the engine while it's in gear?? Did he provide for a clutch switch, so the clutch had to be depressed before you could engage the starter??
You're going to have to find out what you guy did with the wire to the old park/neutral switch when he removed the shifter. In addition to only allowing cranking in park and neutral, that circuit was an input to the convertible top module to allow it to work, also only in park or neutral. What did he do to allow cranking, if he did not use that circuit.

The convertible top module also requires the park brake switch input when the lever is raised. If the Park Brake lamp comes on in the dash, whether or not the brake actually works, the top should work.....as long as it also got the Park/Neutral sw input.

Beyond that, the park brake could require adjustment at the lever, the two rear cables and the park brake shoes, cables and adjusters will need to be inspected to determine just why the brake does not apply.

Good luck!