S-Type (1963)

1963-1968 / Sedan / United Kingdom

All S-Type (1963) problems All workshop issues

Common Cooling System

Heater valve and matrix leaks

Symptoms

Coolant smell in the cabin, damp carpets, fogged windscreen, coolant loss.

Cause

The heater matrix and its control valve develop leaks from age and corrosion. The matrix is buried behind the dashboard.

Fix

Heater valve replacement is relatively easy.

Heater matrix replacement requires significant dashboard disassembly, budget a full day.

Replacement matrices are available.

Some owners bypass the heater circuit in summer and accept cold cabins in winter.

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Other known issues

Common Cooling System

Radiator deterioration

Slow coolant loss, visible green staining around the radiator, overheating at speed or in traffic.

Minor Bodywork and Rust

Structural floor pan corrosion

Floor pans rot through, usually starting from the inside where moisture sits under the carpet and sound deadening. The car loses rigidity, doors stop closing properly, scuttle shake increases, the windscreen cracks.

Minor Bodywork and Rust

Sill corrosion (inner and outer)

Sills collapse, doors sag, the car visibly droops in the middle. Outer sills may look fine while the inner sections are completely gone.

Minor Bodywork and Rust

Bonnet corrosion and distortion

The enormous forward-hinged bonnet develops rust in its seams, inner structure, and around the headlight openings. It can also distort if the car has been jacked incorrectly or been in a minor shunt.

Common Bodywork and Rust

Boot floor and rear end corrosion

The boot floor rots, the spare wheel well fills with water, and corrosion spreads to the rear inner wings and battery tray area.

Minor Bodywork and Rust

Bulkhead and scuttle rot

The joint between the bonnet section and the cabin, the scuttle, rots. Water leaks into the cabin, the windscreen frame weakens, and eventually the whole front of the car becomes loose.

View all 24 S-Type (1963) problems