Thanks for the pics!


I figure I will swap out tips at a later date, I'm trying to get it on the road right now.
It's running, driving, stopping and steering, I have a real issue with lack of traction, but that's another story.....
Car runs strong, but I'm still working the bugs out....

Don't forget to come and take me for a ride.

Well after a few months of house renos, I started putting away tools, which lead to opening up the garage, which lead to pushing my Coupe out which in turn required the Jensen being moved....
SoooOooo....
I just HAD to start working on the Jensen a wee bit... LOL
Got my front end nicely settled at ride height, so I have tightened up all my suspension and threw in some cotter pins. I noticed my toe-in was out by quite a bit, so I did an eyeball alignment which I hope is good enough to get me to the alignment shop.
Made pieces to fasten both the chokes open and installed them... and I changed my turn signal stalk to a proper Interceptor turn signal stalk. I have to get the wiring ends on but I tested it and it indeed works like I should!
I have to get my windows working (I removed my AC and will retrofit later) and then I think I am on the road!!!!!!
I have two new K&D switches, and access to quite a few window motors.... so I just have a bit of work to do on the windows, finish my stereo install, and then I am on the road for the summer!
I'll post pics of my breakdowns, videos of me pushing the car home, and the amount of tears I shed in future posts....

Dun-dun-DUH!!!!!!
Insured it today.... it actually drives pretty danged good so far. Only 20 minutes cruising so far, but drives straight, shifts nice, corners flat, it seems pretty good.
A little bit of DrOnE at ilde and cruising speeds though... but I have my driver's door panel off and both windows were down...
Gotta start sorting out the bugs and taking a few longer trips, but so far I am a HAPPPY camper!

Runs pretty good, drives really nice, a few bugs to work out and then I'll try a bit of power down to the ground...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NStpPLbRPL4

Out cruising last night for a couple of hours....

I have no idea what temp I am running, I will have to try a mechanical gauge. my fans don't come on until the factory gauge gets into the red zone, and it feels (hand on the upper hose) OK, but I don't trust feel! haha
Kickdown is hooked up, might need a little tweak, but it's pretty good. Trans shifts good, now I have third gear at a decent speed, much better!
Steering is good, handling not bad, brakes seem OK, all in all it seems pretty drivable.

My issues are the heat- I will have to find out what I'm running at- and my fuel level gauge doesn't seem to work. I still have to get my driver's window functioning properly too. It goes down OK but needs assistance going up...
I have a new K&D sender for my water temp, I'm wondering if it's the culprit for my temp readings, maybe it reads too high?? Maybe the voltage stabilizer is off somehow? I'm not sure.
I'll have to find out what is up with my fuel level gauge- sender, gauge or wiring...
I think I'll remove my PW motor and see if the window goes up and down effortlessly in it's tracks.... I'm guessing it's binding.

I now seem to have weight transfer, maybe too much weight transfer ...? lol it squats dramatically in the rear and the front raises, it still spins but not as much and not as far. It will do a roll-on but only for a few feet usually if it's decent traction available.

I think I will have new rear leafs made. They run about $500 and I can always remove them if they don't help... or make things worse...

Still sorting out the bugs on the car, and finishing my house renos, and and and.... LOL

Body/paint will be next year at the earliest. I have a "rat rod" -ish Jensen until then! *tears*

I am interested in how you resolve your rear suspension/weight transfer issues-- so please keep us posted on your progress. I have a 1971 Mark II Interceptor which is currently being fitted with a 499 CID stroker (built by Diamondback Engines in Texas based on a 400 block), so I anticipate having some suspension work ahead of me to handle the additional power and torque.

You've done a great job with your Jensen so far-- properly upgraded cars are so few and far between, especially in North America.

Regards, Dave

Thanks for the reply!

Yes, I am using the Delta shorty headers and will need a larger exhaust with crossover section to suit it. Would you by chance have photos of your 2.5" exhaust as installed?

I'm also planning to start with new rear leaf springs and take it from there. Is there a North American source for Jensen-specific springs (other than K&D) or are you having yours custom-made locally?

Regards, Dave

Here's the muffler I started with.....

This is what we did to them- the only way we could get them to fit in the car.......

I went mandrel bends and very thick collector rings...

Kept it up as tight as possible....

I went with two mufflers at the rear, I think it sounds good but the tips are 4" at the rear- the diameter of the muffler.... I'm thinking of trying a different tip/muffler combo down the road so it looks more like a factory exhaust tip, I love the way these sound but it's a BIG diameter tip....

Somebody cover Oz's eyes for a second....