A $800 Jag V12? What could possibly go wrong?

This would probably be a spectacularly bad idea, but I really do like these cars.

Not running, he's "pretty sure" it's the fuel relay. Also some rust in the passenger floorboards. The pictures look good but I'm betting they aren't current. 

So tempting. I'm probably going to have to call him tomorrow. I hope it's already sold. 

What year? 

In reply to NordicSaab :

1988

Is that a pic of THE car??? That is 10 tons of awesome for $800.

Well....there are companies that specilize in ripping out the v12 and putting in a SBC.

I know 2 people who own v12 jags. I also know 0 people with running v12 Jags

I can't be the only one thinking it's definitely not "just" a fuel relay. I'd be tempted too, so pretty.

Poopshovel, almost literally 10 tons. 

Antihero, now you know of 3.

BlueInGreen, I'm thinking almost zero chance. 

I do have a 350 floating around and T56 out of a LT1 car...

Antihero said:

Well....there are companies that specilize in ripping out the v12 and putting in a SBC.

 

I know 2 people who own v12 jags. I also know 0 people with running v12 Jags

Beware the wrath of frenchyd.

The V8 swaps are so common. I want to see one with a lightly muffled V12 hauling ass. Make it so.

Stampie said:

Antihero said:

Well....there are companies that specilize in ripping out the v12 and putting in a SBC.

 

I know 2 people who own v12 jags. I also know 0 people with running v12 Jags

Beware the wrath of frenchyd.

Some people do love them, its still funny there is a company called JagsThatRun

In reply to Antihero :

I've known about JTR for a very long time.  Since I was a child.  Which is probably why I always assumed that it meant, like, hey these cats don't walk, they RUN!!!

Without catching the double meaning, until seeing your post: Hey, these cars run now.

crankwalk said:

The V8 swaps are so common. I want to see one with a lightly muffled V12 hauling ass. Make it so.

What this guy said ^^

And the V12 was the reliable part of that car.

A retired mechanic in our club, very, very experienced, had a shop in NJ.  He eventually refused to work on V12 Jags.  They would go out the door running, break down somewhere, call him, he'd come to tow them to the shop and they would be gone after the ignition module (mounted thoughtfully on top of the engine where, like, there's no heat to damage it, right?) cooled off and the thing started up again.

relay is a thing so is the module overheating so move it.

Cool car!

I have a neighbor that dailies a V12 convertible and has been doing so for the last 10 years. 

No lie lol.

Such a great looking car. Red with than top. 

Toyman01 said:

Poopshovel, almost literally 10 tons. 

 

Antihero, now you know of 3.

 

BlueInGreen, I'm thinking almost zero chance. 

 

I do have a 350 floating around and T56 out of a LT1 car...

Does this mean that you own it?

Challenge car.........

They're extremely easy to work on "if you can count on both hands and toes". 

If I was doing a v8 swap on this I’d consider a big block I’m not sure the fit but I’m sure the v12 takes up lots and most like more room then the big block. Plus if it’s a complete car you will have a turbo 400 transmission there. A new adaptor plate etc would be needed. Hmmm maybe a Cadillac 500 in a jag tha would be a neat combo.

MotorsportsGordon said:

If I was doing a v8 swap on this I’d consider a big blow I’m not sure the fit but I’m sure the v12 takes up lots and most like more room then the big block. Plus if it’s a complete car you will have a turbo 400 transmission there. A new adaptor plate etc would be needed. Hmmm maybe a Cadillac 500 in a jag tha would be a neat combo.

While I’m assuming you meant “big block,” I like the idea of “big blower” even more.

Dr. Hess said:

And the V12 was the reliable part of that car.

 

A retired mechanic in our club, very, very experienced, had a shop in NJ.  He eventually refused to work on V12 Jags.  They would go out the door running, break down somewhere, call him, he'd come to tow them to the shop and they would be gone after the ignition module (mounted thoughtfully on top of the engine where, like, there's no heat to damage it, right?) cooled off and the thing started up again.

 

A fellow club member bought a v12 jag after owning a few 6 cylinders, even though his mechanic warned him he would not touch it.  

Dusterbd13 said:

Does this mean that you own it?

Challenge car.........

I do not. I did some reading last night. Other than some well known and documented issues they apparently aren't as bad as their reputation would lead you to believe. I'll try to get in touch with the guy this afternoon and take a look at it. Part of me still hopes it's already sold. 

I'd keep it V12 until something internal of the engine decides otherwise. Then 6.0 block LS with a 4.8 crank and spin it to 8,000RPM

In reply to Toyman01 :

I feel like that's true about a lot (but not all) of the stereotypically unreliable cars in the world.  Most of them just need enough attention and tinkering (and hate being ignored or undermaintained) and might need a few modifications here and there to fix some factory induced design stupidity.  

In the one photo, it looks very clean to be an 88.