I didn't realize that it was called the XKE here in the US. I have always just known it as the E-type. BTW you were pulling my leg when you said you had some "serious miles" with it, right?How often did you have electrical breakdowns? How did the diff hold up? Both of those were major weaknesses for that vehicle.
The rear end held together, but cam shafts were a problem. Yes all kings of electrical goblins. They don't call Lucas Electric the "Prince of Darkness" for nothing I had a Sprite that wouldn't start if the relative humidity was over 30%
Electrical gremlins forced me to completely redo the entire wiring harness in my MGA. I had a Hillman that wouldn't start in cold weather and used to go through batteries and starter motors like they were disposable tissues. Then I found out about the Heathkit electronic ignition system. I bought it and soldered it together and plugged it in. Car ran rough so I had to change the plug gaps to 40 thou. From that moment onwards it never failed to start irrespective of how bad the weather became.
Interesting side note that was that I sent it in for an oil change and they charged me for points and plugs. So I asked them to produce the used parts. When the mechanic turned up with a greasy set of old Champion plugs I asked him what he had set the new plug gap at. He said 25 thou, so I turned to the service manager and said that he is lying. The Hillman has Lodge plugs set to 40 thou and it won't run at 25. I tore up his bill and walked out. He didn't even try and make me pay for the oil change.
Electrical gremlins forced me to completely redo the entire wiring harness in my MGA. I had a Hillman that wouldn't start in cold weather and used to go through batteries and starter motors like they were disposable tissues. Then I found out about the Heathkit electronic ignition system. I bought it and soldered it together and plugged it in. Car ran rough so I had to change the plug gaps to 40 thou. From that moment onwards it never failed to start irrespective of how bad the weather became.
Interesting side note that was that I sent it in for an oil change and they charged me for points and plugs. So I asked them to produce the used parts. When the mechanic turned up with a greasy set of old Champion plugs I asked him what he had set the new plug gap at. He said 25 thou, so I turned to the service manager and said that he is lying. The Hillman has Lodge plugs set to 40 thou and it won't run at 25. I tore up his bill and walked out. He didn't even try and make me pay for the oil change.
Lucas wasn't the only company to supply piss poor electrical components. I had to rewire a Maserati I bought that had fried the harness. I made a few bucks on that deal. I had to sell the thing cause I couldn't afford to insure it.
![[pictures.4ever.eu]%20love,%20pink,%20sadness,%20cry,%20tear%20133667.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fpictures.4ever.eu%2Fdata%2F674xX%2Flifestyle%2Femo%2F%5Bpictures.4ever.eu%5D%2520love%2C%2520pink%2C%2520sadness%2C%2520cry%2C%2520tear%2520133667.jpg&hash=f81983186208fdd8b95fc49c1284e0f2)
