I managed to pick up some Jaguar headlamps, complete with bowls, looms, bulbs, etc and so decided that I would fit these this week. Before fitting them I wanted to make sure that the chrome trims that fit around these lamps would actually fit. I popped down to AutoRite in Swindon (the Mini spares shop) and picked up a couple of bezels and also picked up some new headlamp bulb. These are the blue tinted halogen bulbs (anyone know if these type of bulbs are SVA compliant?). Took everything home and set about fitting them.

The first thing I did was to make a circular template to fix around the headlamp bowl. I then lined this up against the fornt of the car and drew around where it should fit, making sure that the template was as central as possible. I then pulled out the jig saw and cut the hole. Did the same both sides and then the lamps were ready to try. The holes needed some additional filing in some places as they were not perfect circles that I cut. Repeated filing and trying and eventually the lamp bowls were fitted. I then looked at where the slots should be cut for the lamp aim adjusters. This I managed with a small round file. That done, I then drilled some holes and screwed the bowls into place. Now it was time to fix the lamps in.

Having worked out which way round the lamps should fit (there is a top and a bottom), I then worked out how they fit together. A few screws later and the headlamps were in place. I hadn't bothered with the wiring loom just yet as I needed to make up my own loom as the one's I had scrounged from the scrappy were too short. I then figured out how the bezels should fit and these simply clip on. They are quite awkward to fit on which should hopefully mean that they are quite awkward to get off - meaning that they shouldn't fall off when I'm driving.

So while looking after the kids I dragged my box of electrical gubbins into the garden and made up two loom that would connect to the headlamp looms. Later, after the kids were in bed, I then fitted the looms. Of course, this meant that I had to take the complete lamp assembly apart so that I could fit the damn things. That done, I tried the lamps with their original bulbs, and they worked! That was a pleasant surprise. I then changed them over for the blue bulbs I have and they also worked (they should, they're new). The sidelamps don't work, but I'll get some new ones today.

It was then time to fit the bonnet handles to see if I had drilled the holes in the correct place and that, with the cams fitted, the bonnet would actually lock down. I fixed the handles in position and then fitted the cams onto the end. I put some Tippex onto the edge of the cams and then turned the handles with the bonnet closed. This gave me the poistion where I needed to cut the slots for the cams to fit. Many small holes drilled later and the slots had appeared. I fixed the escutcheon plates both sides ant then tried to lock the bonnet. One side seemed OK, but the other side didn't seem to lock correctly. I can only guess that the handles are fitted too far forward, albeit only 2-3mm. Not to worry, a little angle edging should see that fixed so not all is lost. I would leave it as is, but with the vibrations when the engine is running, this may work the cams loose. It's not worth risking so I'll get some stainless angle and fit that instead.

I have managed to get hold of a bracket to fit the wiper motor and so that is going to be fitted today. Both wiper wheels have been fitted and so it's just a case of fixing everythign together now. I understand that Staffords offer a different wiper motor wheel that improves sweep, so I'll probably need to get one of those.