The 3.5 liter XK engine in it's natural habitat. Much detail is visible in this left side view. Note tubular front frame, Jaguar's first effort with space frame construction. The framing used in the early C-Types was made of chrome moly steel, later cars used manganese steel tubing. The open design of the space frame allowed the exhaust manifold to extend nearly straight out from the manifold, promoting smoother flow. Twin exhausts exit through the side of the bodywork. The generator has an oddly curved aluminum heat shield. The tube crossing from the top left is the crankcase breather, it terminates in a catch can located low on the front railing. The two rods extending off to the left are the radiator supports.

The C-Type wasn't dry sumped. Instead, the oil pan is broad and shallow with internal baffles. Note the tiny dipstick, located deep in the engine bay, on one of the oil pan's "wings". The tube fastened to the firewall is the transmission breather.

[C-Type in Detail Home Page]

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About the author - Michael Frank is Vice President and Webmaster of the Jaguar Touring Club. His red 2+2 E-Type is a familiar sight at JCNA events in the Northeast. Currently, he is building a reproduction of the 1963 Cunningham Lightweight E-Type.

Copyright © 2001 Michael Frank, New York. All rights reserved.

Posted: 5/2001