Improved Fuel Pump pipe connections

Two copper fuel pipes are connected to the fuel pump during the assembly process of the XK 140. It concerns C7556 (Fuel pipe (centre) from rear pipe to inlet connection on fuel pump) providing fuel from the tank, and C7557 (Fuel pipe (front) from outlet connection on fuel pump to flexible hose) pumping fuel to the carbs. Apart from the fact that both pipes have a (very) sharp bend where the connection with the fuel pump is made (asking for maximum care when installing these pipes), these pipes sometimes touch the Fuel Pump Shield C8010 with the risk of damaging the fuel pipes over life.

In case the fuel pump has to be removed for inspection or repair, these copper pipes are very difficult to remove as they are partly behind the main chassis rails and there is very little space to manoeuvre these pipes away from the pump.

 Fuel pipe connections on the XK 140 and (early) XK 150

The pipe connection system was improved many years later by Jaguar on the new 150 “S” versions, introducing a new flexible hose connection C14721 (Flexible petrol pipe from outlet side of rear petrol pump to branch on front pipe) with a banjo at one end and a compression (“olive”) connection for ⅜”copper pipe at the other end. This hose is connected to the pump using a Banjo Bolt C11488 instead of the male brass unions on the copper pipe (SU part Nº AUA 4650) as used for the XK 140.

Fuel pipe connections on the XK 150 “S”

We can greatly improve the pipe-to-pump connections on the XK 140 and (non-“S”) XK 150 by using two of these flexible hoses (C14721) and Banjo bolts (C11488) and connecting them to the (shortened and now straight) copper pipes C7556 and C7557 using a ⅜” pipe male union that fits the female union at the end of the flexible hoses.

The result is a very “flexible” solution offering easy assembly during the restoration of your car as well as disassembly for maintenance purposes. And last but not least: it looks very professional!

Fitting a Fuel Filter in the Jaguar XK 140

It is possible to fit the “AC type” Fuel Filter of the later XK 150 (Jaguar code C13681) in a Jaguar XK 140 (FHC). This type of fuel filter can be ordered new but also found in used condition at car jumbles or on Ebay (and spare parts are also available). For the conversion the existing fuel pipes of the XK 140 have to be modified, but this can be done in a way that the original situation can be restored at all times. For my LHD XK 140 FHC I have placed the Filter on the valence panel above the RH Battery Box, close to the fuel pump pipe and the carburettors.

Petrol filter C 13681 in position with air filters removed

Original “AC type” fuel filter

Required Parts

There are two alternative ways to make the connections from and to the fuel filter. Alternative 1 uses the Flexible Hose of the XK 150, but this limits the freedom to choose  an optimal position for the fuel filter. Alternative 2 uses two new (but period) longer flexible fuel hoses.

The following parts are required for alternative 1:

• Petrol Filter C13681
• Flex hose + banjo C14492
• Banjo bolt UNF ½”-20
• Fibre Washer C784 (½”)
• Copper pipe 5/16”
• Male Union 9/16” UNEF-24
• Olive for 5/16” pipe

 Fuel pipe from pump to filter

 From filter to carburettors

  Banjo bolt C13705 (2x)

For alternative 2 the following parts are required:

As mentioned alternative 1 limits the freedom as the Flexible hose + banjo C14492 is only 255 mm long. There are longer fuel hoses (about 400 mm) available with a ½” Banjo at one end and a Female connector 9/16”-24 UNF at the other. Some of these braided fuel hoses are “Smiths Petro-Flex” branded. We need 2 of them. The existing Flex Hose C3689 is removed completely and the new (longer) flexible hose is installed instead and fitted with the banjo bolt C13705 to the inlet of the Filter. The second flexible hose is mounted with banjo bolt C13705 to the Outlet of the filter and connected to the existing Fuel Pipe C3810 which runs to the carburettors.

 Alternative 2 using two longer flexible hoses.

Replacement Filter elements

The original XK 150 fuel filter had a simple “sediment screen” Jaguar part number 7299. Later Jaguars had a paper element installed ( part number C28080). Some (cheap) elements are known to “dissolve” in petrol and create filter problems over time: buy a good filter to prevent this.

 Paper fuel filter element