Doug’s RCR Jaguar D Type Build.

[Chuck]

Good progress! That shifter handle / knob came out good and captures the look of the original nicely.

 

[Doug M]

I haven’t posted in a while. I hope everyone had a lovely holiday season.

I took a page from the BoC and made a battery mock-up. I thought of using the Odyssey 1100, but they are currently hard to find and this Napa battery worked fine when I had the XK6 on the run stand and isn’t that much bigger. (9x7x4.75)

I thought I’d check my logic with you all, because when something seems too easy, I start to wonder what I’m missing. Any reason why I couldn’t or shouldn’t mount the battery in the location pictured? With a heavy duty clamping bracket, of course. It would allow battery size flexibility and solves a few other problems as well.

There’s also this option, which would require a very customized battery tray, but would look a little cleaner…

 

[Neil]

I haven’t posted in a while. I hope everyone had a lovely holiday season.

I took a page from the BoC and made a battery mock-up. I thought of using the Odyssey 1100, but they are currently hard to find and this Napa battery worked fine when I had the XK6 on the run stand and isn’t that much bigger. (9x7x4.75)

I thought I’d check my logic with you all, because when something seems too easy, I start to wonder what I’m missing. Any reason why I couldn’t or shouldn’t mount the battery in the location pictured? With a heavy duty clamping bracket, of course. It would allow battery size flexibility and solves a few other problems as well.

View attachment 126953View attachment 126954View attachment 126955
There’s also this option, which would require a very customized battery tray, but would look a little cleaner…

View attachment 126956

The second approach lowers the CG a bit but would need a shield to protect the battery case from the radiant heat of the headers.

 

[Randy B]

Doug, tremendous progress. I see you have done some work on the exhaust, any possibility you could provide a few more detailed photos of that and your brake setup?

 

[Chuck]

Doug

Can't thing of anything that would interfere with placing the battery on the passenger side, but as Neil noted, shielding from heat would be required. Even in the top position it would be close to the exhaust headers and would likely get a bit warm.

 

[Doug M]

Haven’t updated in a while, and to answer your question Randy, not 100% on my exhaust setup yet. Currently leaning towards the side pipe method, but I love the clean look of an underneath exhaust. I’m holding off on the decision until I have the front and rear suspension installed and finished… at that point, I’ll check the clearances and how high I can raise the body before it looks ridiculous. Ultimately, I’ll probably go with side pipes.

 

[Doug M]

As for the throttle and brake… I upgraded the brake fluid reservoirs for aesthetic purposes. I modified the RCR supplied Triton brake/clutch setup and added a few custom designed pieces. Also added a button type brake light switch instead of using a hydraulic switch in the brake line. It’s one less leak potential and an easy to find part. I also routed brake lines more like the original D Types. I’m sure other methods will work fine, but I figured they originally did it this way for a reason, so why not do it the same way.

Throttle pedal was completely custom made with random metal pieces from my parts bin, as well as the original throttle pedal pad from my 57 Chevy. For my other cars, I use a left foot accelerator pedal since my right leg is prosthetic. Since this D Type is a car I’ll never sell, I decided to put the throttle pedal on the left side rather than install it on the right and then adding an adaptive device.

 

[Doug M]

As for engine updates, I decided to forgo the RCR provided radiator and went with a D Type radiator and tank from Pro Alloy. Some modification needed, but it fits. Also added a cooling reservoir for the automatic transmission lines… might have to rethink it later, but for now, it looks like it’ll do the job.

Also found some smooth cam covers on eBay for $350. I have yet to shine them up. Since I’m going for a weathered and used look for this car rather than a shiny new look, I might just leave the original patina.

 

[Chuck]

Awesome! You are making great progress, sorting out a host of issues in a good functional manner. Throttle, brakes, cooling . . . . . . getting close to first start.

Radiator and header tank looks great. Have you come up with the hose options for the remaining connections? I am trying to come up with the answer to that issue and when I do I will post the results.

 

[Chuck]

..