420 front Suspension

[San Jose Scott]

Hi Gang,

Am new to the S-Type. Purchased it just a couple of weeks ago, it is a 1966. Looking at the registry and I found my car. It has in the registry that the front suspension has been changed to that of a 420. Looking through the books I have is a bit confusing. Some list the difference between the S-Type and the 420 as a torsion bar. Some list that a '66 S-Type has torsion bar suspension.

Could someone point me in the direction to determine what the difference is between the S-Type and 420 front suspension and why someone would make the change.

Thanks

Scott

[cass3958]

There are several reasons why someone might wish to change to the 420 front subframe.
As far as I am aware the subframes themselves are the same as the parts numbers are the same. C15353 for the RHD and LHD non power steering subframe and C26959 for RHD PAS. C26600 for LHD PAS on both the S Type and 420.

it is the parts that hang off them that have slight differences. If your car was not fitted originally with power steering it might be that the front subframe was changed to accommodate the PAS steering box. A non PAS subframe has a flat top where as the PAS SUbframe has a scoop taken out where the PAS Steering box sits. Perhaps the only available subframe came from a 420.

Other differences are in the brakes.The 420 had bigger 3 pot calipers and discs, where as the S Type had twin pot calipers. These are interchangeable on the subframes though so there is no requirement to change the subframe to change the brakes although it is very easy to swap out the subframes rather than fiddle with all the individual components.

The torsion bars also known as anti roll bars are the same on the 420 as the S Type and are part number C14035 and as far as I am aware were always fitted to the S TYpe, 420 and Mk2 Jaguar from inception.

You will find that there are a lot of interchangeable parts between the Mk2, S Type and 420 as under the skin they are basically the same car with some minor upgrades to account for the larger engine in the 420 and the rear independent suspension set up on the S Type and 420 over the elliptical springs on the Mk2.

Hope this helps.