Negative to positive Earth

How to Convert from Positive Ground to Negative Ground

NOTE: DIY may be OK and here are the steps – but you are advised to get it done by someone who KNOWS what they are doing!

1) Disconnect the wires at the generator (dynamo)
2) Swap battery connections around
3) Swap Coil leads
4) Swap Heater leads
5) Re-polarize the generator (dynamo)

Re-polarize the Generator (dynamo): To re-polarize the generator, connect a jumper wire from the positive side of the battery and touch it several times to the small terminal on the generator. You will see a small harmless spark. The generator’s magnetic field is now reversed.

Electrical Fuel Pump: Early non-diode containing electric SU fuel pumps are not polarity dependant and so they don’t need the wires switched, a positive 12 volt wire goes to the terminal on the top of the fuel pump, a gounding wire screws into the base flange of the pump body and then attaches to the wall of the trunk floor. Later replacement pumps are polarity independant (usually designated by red tape around the top points cover to indicate a positive ground pump, or black tape to indicate negative ground pump.) The diode inside the top cover of the pump will have to be removed and re-installed in the reverse direction to change these later pumps over to negative ground.

Heater Blower Motor: Swapping heater blower motor leads restores the blower to the correct spin direction.

Wiper Motor: The wiper motor is also polarity independent. No wire changes are required. However, I have read that the thrust is apparently affected and it has been suggested that the armature housing cover be rotated 180 degrees from it’s original position. This can be done by removing the 2 long screws that hold the cover in place.

2 Litre Ignition Timing

Ignition Timing

There has been a lot of talk concerning how to set timing with an unknown engine. I think a basic description of timing might help sort out a lot of this. First, you should know that there are two types of timing in an engine: cam timing and ignition timing. (Three types, if you count injector pulse, but injection timing on gasoline-powered buses is tied to ignition timing and is not separately adjustable so I will ignore it, as should you.) Cam timing is what determines when the valves open and close with respect to the position of the pistons in their bores. It is set when the engine is built- by placing the camshaft and crankshaft in the correct relationship.

It cannot be adjusted on a stock engine. It doesn’t change: if it was right once it will be right for the life of the engine, barring disaster. And by disaster I mean the park-it-where-stops-rolling kind of disaster. (This is a very rare occurrence in VW air-cooled engines. Not so rare in the Rabbit/Golf ones, which drive the cam with a rubber belt which strips if you don’t change it on schedule.) In summary, cam timing is not connected with or affected by the turning of the distributor. What distributors time is spark, or ignition. Why?

At idle, your engine is turning relatively slowly, let’s say 650 rpms. The throttle is closed, so very little fuel and air are being drawn in to the cylinders. This small amount of combustible mixture burns very quickly, so for maximum efficiency, the spark needs to start when the piston is very near top dead center (TDC). If the spark comes too early (i.e. too advanced), the pressure from the ignited mixture will hit the piston while it is still coming up the cylinder and be wasted trying to shove the piston down before it reaches the end of it’s travel. If you try to start an engine whose ignition timing is too advanced, the starter will try to turn the crank one way, and the combustion process will try to turn it the other way, and it will seem as if the starter hasn’t enough oomph to start it. Contrariwise, if the timing is set too late (too retarded), the pressure from the ignited mixture (and the power derived therefrom) will dissipate as the flame front chases the piston down the cylinder bore in the rapidly diminishing pressure of the combustion chamber.

In other words, the piston is already on it’s way towards the bottom of it’s stroke, reducing the effectiveness of combustion. The is very fuel inefficient, since a larger throttle opening at idle (set by the idle speed screw) is needed allow extra fuel in to keep the engine idling. In practical terms, the position of the distributor which yields the highest idle speed is within a very few degrees of where it should be set. (If you retard the timing about 5 degrees from this point, you will be awfully close to spot-on.) Of course, this assumes your carburetor (or Fuel injection)is working well and that the idle mixture is correct.

When driving on the highway, your engine’s timing requirement is different. At higher engine speeds, larger throttle openings and greater loads than idle, you need ignition advance. There are two reasons for this. First, you are burning more fuel so complete combustion takes longer. Second, the combustion time, as a percentage of the time the piston is at or near top dead center is much longer because of the piston speed. What this means is that you have to ignite the charge earlier, while the piston is still coming up, in order to get the full benefit of the pressure against the piston at the right time. Too early or too late timing will have a similar effect at speed as at idle, but greatly magnified and with far more destructive potential. Too retarded timing will give low power, lousy emissions and excessive bore wear. Timing too advanced will cause pinging (a rattling noise usually heard on acceleration), overheating cylinder heads and other problems too scary to contemplate.

I will now pretend that vacuum advance (not fitted to 2 litre Distributors) doesn’t exist, otherwise it will only confuse things. Distributors have little weights inside that swing away from the shaft as it turns faster. As they move out, they rotate the upper part of the shaft which passes through the plate that the points are bolted to so that the rubbing block which opens the points meets the lobes which hit it (and thus open the points) a little earlier.

At what engine speed this advance begins, at what rate it advances and at what engine speed it stops advancing is determined by the shape and mass of the advance weights and the strength of their return springs; at what degree of advance it stops is determined by a limiter on the plate to which the weights are bolted . None of this is meant to be adjusted: the manufacturer sets it up for each engine family it builds, based on compression, cam profile, octane requirements and availability, among other things. Timing the ignition, then, is a matter of getting the timing correct at one end (idle or full advance) and letting the rest of the range look after itself.

If you have a stock distributor and know either the timing at idle or the maximum advance at a given engine speed and you have a good timing light, you will have no trouble setting timing. If not, here are some ways to get in the ball park. I already mentioned that the highest idle speed is very slightly advanced from correct. If you set it there and hear no pinging on acceleration and get good power (ha-ha), you are good. If it pings, retard it little by little until the pinging goes away. If it seems weak, advance the timing a little at a time until you hear pinging or find the engine hard to start, then retard it again.

400-406 Dynamo’s (Generators)

Dynamo

 

Warning – When working on your dynamo or indeed at any time whilst the engine is running, keep your hands well away from the fan blades!

YouTube Videos
Dynamos are often referred to as a generators. If the dynamo has been off the car for a considerable time, or your car has been standing for a considerable time, your Dynamo may require polarizing. Here are two YouTube videos on the subject.

YouTube Video 1

YouTube Video 2

Is My Generator Charging?

If you have a voltmeter, here are some easy tests to make – Measure the voltage across the battery, it should be about 12.6 volts with the engine off. As the engine speeds up, the voltage should increase to somewhere around 14 volts. If it does, the generator is working and charging the battery. If the voltmeter does not go up with the engine running, first check to see that the generator brushes are not worn excessively. If you can, apply a little pressure to the brushes while the engine is running and see if the gen light goes out or the voltmeter reading increases. If it does, the brushes may be worn to the point that they don’t exert enough pressure on the commutator.

Generator Testing

If the brushes check OK, do this test: Disconnect the generator from the regulator (probably easiest to simply take the wires off the generator). Connect a jumper from DF on the generator to the generator frame. Now run the engine and measure the voltage from ground to D+ on the generator. NOTE: Some generators have different types of terminals; verify which is DF and which is D+. As you increase the engine speed, the voltage should jump up to +35 volts or so (@3000 RPM). If it passes this test, the generator is good. (Don’t run this test longer than necessary as it will overheat the generator.)

Polarizing
If it fails that test, the generator may need to be polarized. Leave the jumper wire connected from DF to ground. Remove the fan belt. Connect a wire from the battery + terminal to D+ on the generator. The generator shaft should start to spin. Don’t run this way for more than a few seconds to avoid overheating. The generator will now be properly polarized. If the generator did not spin during this motoring test, the generator is likely defective. Put the belt back on and re-test for generator voltage with DF grounded. If the output voltage is still low, the generator is defective.

About Polarizing

Why do generators need to be “polarized”. Auto generators need some magnetism to get started. This “residual” magnetism remains in the Field pole pieces even after the engine has stopped. The next time the generator starts up, the residual magnetism creates a small voltage in the Armature windings. Not enough to charge the battery, but enough to allow the Field windings to draw current. As the Field current increases, the pole pieces create even more magnetism. That makes even more voltage in the Armature, and the cycle continues until the generator is capable of producing maximum output.
What happens though to a generator which has been stored a long time or is freshly built? The residual magnetism may have decreased to the point where it can no longer get the generator started producing voltage. In the case of a new generator or one which has been mis-treated, the residual may even be of the wrong direction (North and South poles reversed). Polarization is a simple process used to restore the Field pole residual magnetism and ensure the magnetic direction is correct.

Do regulators need to be polarized?
No, regulators are not polarity-sensitive. But my regulator came with instructions to polarize it… These instructions actually polarize the generator, not the regulator. The regulator mfr simply wants to ensure that your generator will work properly so you don’t blame the regulator.

Generator Diagnostics & Troubleshooting

Generators must spin clockwise to make voltage. They won’t make voltage if they are spun counter-clockwise. Generators always make some voltage when they are spinning. The red Generator light in the dash is an important part of the charging system. The system will not charge if the light is bad or not hooked up. The ignition powers the light, the Generator grounds it when not charging. This makes the light stay on. Here’s how the connections on the voltage regulator go and what they mean: (NOTE: this may depend on your type of regulator)

B = Power out of the regulator to the car and battery
F = Generator Field Winding
WL = Warning Light
D = Generator (actually D is for Dynamo) output
E = Ground to the body (actually E is for Earth)

So, make sure the wide spade connectors are on the “B” terminals. Make sure that there is continuity in the F and D wires. In other words, unplug the D wire from the back of the Generator and unplug it from the voltage regulator. Now take an Ohm meter and touch the leads to each end of the wire, you should get a small amount of resistance which shows the wire isn’t broken. Now do the same test on the F wire.

If those are both okay, hook them back up to the Generator. Now leave them off the regulator. Bridge them with a short piece of wire and using a voltage meter, put the pos. lead of the meter into one of the ends that you’ve bridged. Touch the black test lead on the meter to the battery ground. With the engine running at about 1,000rpm+ you should get 18 volts. (This is called “full fielding the generator”)

If you get 18 volts, the Generator is fine and you have a bad regulator if you get less than 18 volts, you have a bad Generator….for whatever reason. They are extremely easy to repair. New brushes and springs are dirt cheap and take abot 15 minutes to replace. Polish the commutator with fine sand paper while your’re in there and finally, I cannot stress enough the need for clean, tight, and large, engine and body grounds. If you want to check them touch the leads of your Ohm meter to the engine block and to a screw going into the body in the engine compartment somewhere. You should get nearly zero Ohms. Any other reading shows bad grounds. Do the same test between the battery ground POST and a screw going into the body on the inner fender. Do the same test between the “E” terminal on the Voltage Regulator and the body in the engine compartment.

2 Litre Cooling Systems

AC Thermostats

  • Replacement Spindles – available from bearing stockists. (Ransome, Hoffman, Pollard) RHP Part No. FPS15 or the equivalent from another manufacturer. SOURCE = C. Millward Tel: 0121 – 745 – 2087. Note: the spindle has been case hardened and you will need to use a Carbide Drill to drill the cross hole to allow the insertion of the cross pin. It might be beneficial to grind a small start flat with a dremmel or the like, to remove the case hardening (usually a maximum of .025″ deep) to assist the drill start.
  • Replacement Seals – reproduction seals are available from C. Millward Tel: 0121 – 745 – 2087.
  • Replace impellers – are available from C. Millward Tel: 0121 – 745 – 2087.
  • Replacement Thermostat Hosuing – castings may be available soon-  Contact C. Millward Tel: 0121 – 745 – 2087.
  • For those who feel unable to tackle this kind of work, contact C. Millward (BODA Member) OR E.P. Services (Water Pump Reconditioners), Tel: 01902 – 452914. Unit 1 Central Trading Estate, Cable Street, Wolverhampton WV2 2RJ.

The Ferodo Specification was 5/8″ TW – 7/16″ Thick – 32 degrees angle – 39 1/18″ IC – 41 7/8″OC

The Ferodo V155 was the original fan belt recommendation, but was not necessarily the only belt to fit. It seems to have been used on:- AC Ace, Acela and Greyhounds with Bristol engines from 1957 to 1964, and Bristol types 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405 and 406.

There may have been other makes of fan belts that also fitted reasonably well. For those searching for a belt, the V155 was also fitted to the following and the relevant clubs may be able to help with an alternative belt.

  • Aston Martin – DB3-S 1955
  • Austin – 14 Taxi 1946, Eight 8 h.p. 1939 – 1947, Big Seven 1937 – 1939, Commercial 6 cwt 8 h.p. K2VV s ton 1952 – 1954
  • Daimler – Ld10 10 h.p. 1939
  • Frazer Nash- 326 & 6 Cylinder 16 h.p., 2 Litre
  • Gardner- Engines LK
  • Jensen – Commercial – Jentug, 5 ton, 1947, Jentug Mark 1 1948 – 51
  • Morris – 6 from 5413 1950 – 1954
  • Skoda – 1101 1937 – 1948, 1102 1949 – 1951
  • Vauxhall – 6, 24.97 h.p. 1937 – 1940
  • Wolseley – Fifty-Four from engine 4447 1950 – 1953, Six-Eighty from engine 3554 1950 – 1955

400-406 Braking systems

406 Brake Data

 

 

However, this does not resolve the mystery that all 406′s are believed to have had disc brakes not drum brakes.

Master Cylinder Repair Kit Wheel Cylinders Repair Kits Brake Hose Brake Shoes
88840 KL 71410 Front 30635
Rear 83604
Front KL71490
Rear KL71529
Front KL57424
Rear KL57426
Front LB134
Rear LB135M20

 

The 88840 Master Cylinder was also used on a number of other vehicles, namely:

  • Austin Commercial LD1, LD01 (1 Ton), LD2, LD02 (1.5 Ton) up to chassis 16120
  • B.M.C. Commercial 1 Ton FC LDM20 1962 – 1967 & 260LD 1968- B.M.C. Prime Movers FD.2 Loader 2WL Loader
  • British Jeffrey Diamond – Wakefield Road Grader 603 1966 on
  • Conveyancer E20-20 / 6-20 (Some) / E20-20 1955 Mk XXV / E2-24, G4-24
  • E3-20, D4-24 / E4-15, G4-15 / E4-20, G5-16 / E22 RC Truck 1965 on / MkII, MkIv, MkVI
  • Coventry Climax IGY / Electrical IndustrialTractor Model-TE 1965 on
  • Universal Major Trucks Models MSD, MSDA, MSP, MSPA, MCD, MCDS, MCP, MCPA, MED, MEDA, MEP, MEPA,
  • Universal Major Electric Fork Lift Truck MSE, MCE, & MEE 1963- / Research Truck RT.812 / TLJ / UTF
    Universal Petrol & DieselFork Lift Truck IGPT, IGPTA Series II, IGDT, IGDTA Series II / IGEUS
  • Universal Major Electric Fork Lift IGET / Series I & II, IGETA Series II / Bulkloader (Mechanical Shovel)
  • Halifax Tool Company 26Hr Battery Electric Tractor1967 on
  • Lister Tractor 50cwt 4’7.5″ W.B.
  • Morris Commercial LLD1, LD01 (1 ton), LD2, LD02 (1.5 Ton) up to chassis 16120, LD4 LDOA Petrol RHD & LHD)
  • Morrison Electricars E type25 cwt. BE, E25 cwt. / BEV (Morrison BM60 & BM60 MkII 1928-
  • Trojan 15cwt, Van 1950 on / Electrojan Battery Electric 20cwt Van 1952 on / Trojan-Carrimore Articulated 1952 on
  • Trojan-Tasker Articulated 1954 on
  • Yale & Towne K51-60 Fork Lift Truck Model Yale Tractor Shovel (Throttle Control).

400-403 Wheel Cylinders

400-403-Wheel-Cylinders

As of Sept. 2010, the following are the cheapest prices that could be found

and there were significant difference in the prices quoted and all include VAT at 17.5%

  • Rear Wheel 25453 £84 from PowerTrack Ltd.
  • Rear Wheel 34348 (The believed replacement for 25453) £74.03 from David Manners
  • Rear Wheel 34348 – possible replacement for 25453, £108.98 from Guy Broad
  • Front Wheel 25452 £45.00 from David Manners
  • Front wheel 25452 – If not in stock with David Manners, £88.71 from Guy Broad
  • Note these are also available from US Jaguar Parts suppliers
  • Rear Wheel 34348 (The believed replacement for 25453) £74.03 from David Manners
  • Rear Wheel 34348 – possible replacement for 25453, £84.00 from Guy Broad
  • Rear Wheel 34348 £75.50 Recon. Exchage Classic Brakes
  • These are also available from US Jaguar Parts suppliers

405-406 Wheel Cylinders

405-406-Wheel-Cylinder

Again, the latest prices as of September 2010 were as follows:

  • Front wheel 30635 £59.00 from David Manners
  • Front wheel 30635 – Jaguar XK 120 late available from Guy Broad
  • 30635 £68.50 Recon. Exchange Classic Brakes
  • These are also available from US Jaguar Parts suppliers

We have yet to compare the 1 1/8″ 401 rear 25453 and the 1 1/8″ 405 rear 83604 to see if the only difference is the handbrake lever?

Brake Master Cylinders

Brake-Master-Cylinder

The XK120 early/single brake system Master cylinder looks the same as the Bristol Master Cylinder. An unknown person has apparently tried one but legend has it that it didn’t fit. However, it is not known which Jaguar Master Cylinder was tried. Nevertheless they still look identical and this is still worth exploring. It may be that just the bodies are the same as it uses the same KL71410 repair kit – has anyone physically compared the two?

Brake Shoes

2-Litre-Brake-Shoes

Brake Pads for the 406

Brake pads for the 406 are often listed on EBay. However, as an alternative, EBC state they are the Manufacturers of the World’s largest Range of Brakes. For more information see EBC Brakes Direct or Tel:0845 225 5011.

406 Servo

Servo Data (from a Lockheed list)

  • There seems to be some cross information in the Lockheed catalogue, as elsewhere the unit listed below is shown as for the 407 and below (4257- 551) as the correct unit for a 406.
  • “Major Repair Kit” – includes the items that should be replaced whenever the unit requires servicing regardless of cause.
  • “Piston Packing Kit” – includes parts which must be used, in addition the parts included in the major repair kit, if the leather Piston Packing needs to be replaced.
  • “Air Control Valve Kit” – consists of a sub-assembly of the end cover, valve and air pipe to be fitted as a complete unit each time a valve requires replacement.
Servo Unit Repair Kit
V4257-567 Major Repair Kit SSB.72573
Piston Packing Kit KL 72523
Air Control Valve Kit 72525

 

406-Servo

(See also 407 LOCKHEED SERVO 4257-567)

The Jaguar XK 150 Servo 4257-552 is much the same as the Bristol one but we have yet to work out the exact difference and whether or not it actually makes any difference in use?

4257-552 units are available from David Manners. for £480 including vat (Jan 2011).
406 Servo Kits & Parts are also available from J & L Spares Export Ltd.

The remote brake servo kit enables the fitting of a remote brake servo to cars which do not have one, and enables the easy replacement of non-functional or obsolete servos. Boost ratio 1.9:1 Measures approx 224mm length by 189mm diameter. The beauty of a remote servo is that fitting requires no interference, modification, or change to the existing brake master cylinder. As well as being a suitable fitting for all single circuit cars lacking a servo (and kit cars), it is also a direct replacement for remote Girling Powerstop servos fitted to Austin, Bedford, Ford, Hillman, Land Rover, Lotus, MG, Morgan, Morris, Singer, Talbot, Triumph to name a few, covered by the Girling part numbers 64949023, 64949077, 64949178, 64949354, 64949330, 64949000. Supplied as a kit complete with brackets, hose, connections, instructions etc. Please note that if fitting to a modern car with twin circuit brakes, then you will need twin servos.

Fitting instructions for a remove servo

remoteservo

Remote servos are available from Ratsport, among other sources.