The Jaguar V-12 engine with all its ‘plumbing’!

The Series III E-type we were working on was not running and had a strong smell of gas according to the owner. The V-12 engine has four Stromberg carbs set in two banks.  Once the car was towed in we pulled the air cleaners and found the carb throats loaded with gunk from dried fuel and some damp fuel when the key was turned and the fuel pump started. We did not try to start the car as the carbs on both banks sit over the exhaust – and there was obviously a gas issue. The car had very low mileage (<50,000) and my son’s client was not looking for more than getting it safely running to take to have coffee now and again. Pulling the air cleaners is very straightforward, but there are internal pieces that need to be kept and correctly installed on reassembly. Getting the four carbs off without taking the intake manifolds off is tricky because some of the securing nuts are tough to get to.  It is a world of difference from the ease at which the Series I and II carbs can be removed.  We ended up making a special tool to make it easier to get to a couple off the trickier fasteners.  There is also a plethora of piping for fuel and vacuum running on top of the engine that has to be disconnected and kept in order.

Air cleaners and some of the ‘plumbing’ on top of Jaguar V-12 engine. The goal to remove the carbs.

Problematic state of Stromberg carb on the V-12 Jaguar

Air cleaner internals. This has to be reassembled when you reinstall the cleaner boxes.