There's no reason you shouldn't be able to handle this MJ. If you've done the 5.4, its quite similar.

 

I hope so... done all that stuff before I broke my neck...
We'll see....
Right now I'm having trouble figuring out how to get the thermostat housing off the two rear bolts are up against the intake no room to get a socket down there and no room for a small open-end wrench. Short of removing the intake manifold off what's the trick/secret? ???

 

Some struggle with a specially bent crow's-foot-type wrench and have succeeded.

Some have broken the plastic tower piece by piece.

Some owners have loosened the bolts holding the intake manifold and lifted the front just enough to get to the rear tower bolts. The intake manifold hinges on a bolt at the throttle body.

Some have removed the intake manifold, at least if you do this you can replace the two heater hoses that run under the manifold, and the 3-way connector, while you are in there.

 

Agreed, the only difference is that Jaguar decided not to use keyways on its cams, hence the need for the special timing tools. It makes it a case of being very patient, and very certain, that you have things in the correct position during disassembly and, more so, during assembly.

 

MrJay, here is a link to a brief how-to if you decide to replace the under-manifold heater hoses and 3-way connector ......giving you easy access to the thermostat tower bolts. These heater hoses and the 3-way connector are known to leak at the age our 308s are at.
https://www.docdroid.net/yUGg4Gg/jag...s-manifold.pdf

 

WOW! I think I'm going to try and grind down an 8mm 1/4 drive socket, make shorter on both ends if that doesn't work then I'll go with the breaking apart idea. Then I can replace the bolts with Philip Screw head bolts... Seems like this is getting really involved. Ugh.... I am not going worry about the heater hoses and 3 way connector now .. I want to hear and feel run smoothly 1st... Then decide what I'm going to do with the car. ..
This post started with me looking to safety jack it up and support it on jack stands.
Just to do breaks,rotors wheel studs and maybe some sand blasting and painting of rusted parts while I'm there...I knew the sparkplug wells were leaking and filliing with oil causing misfires that was going to be an easy fix... Not get this involved. This car was only bought as a project for me and my son then let him have it, the car is in really nice shape and kinda worth saving. I personally have no real interest in the car... But I have it now im also retired with time on my hands, So in memory of my son, I guess I'll do what I can and see from there where I end up...

Again as always guys Thank you I really do appreciate All your help...

 

Another thought. .. Just remove the old bolts from the Thermostat housing and replace them with nuts and bolts? There more than enough room to do that..... Ez ez nice and sleazy...

 

LOL.........but just think of the feeling of achievement and satisfaction when you get all of these things fixed...........and all at non-dealer prices!

And, you will have saved another X308.

Hang in there MrJ, we will be with you all the way.

 

+1 on being there with you MJ.

 

Thanks guys...

Tomorrow I plan to lock the timing into place.
Still waiting for the crank pully tool.
oh and my grinding a 8mm socket to .5" didn't help still not enough room.

 

I agree with the above threads, and should replace them all if it was my car, it's no more work.
Just be sure you got the correct chains, Jaguar changed to Morse style chains late in the range, I got a wrong set one time.
Should be determined by the engine number, and a adequate parts supplier.

 

Wait, What????
What Numbers are you talking about ?
Is it something the Vin # can help with?


Can you tell by looks at the chain?

 

OK, basically the engine number can be determined if you give them the complete VIN, and based upon the engine number they can determine the correct parts for that MY.
If the engine is replaced though ... .

And those are the traditional style chains, I think they were used till end of 2002 or so.
I just looked up as a reference, I pay some 400 (British Pounds) for a full set of tensioners / chains / guides / seals / gaskets), all from British Parts in the UK, and all coming from Jaguar Parts (wherever they are made ...).
Then mostly need some other parts as sump seal, hoses, or whatever is needed.

 

MrJay, the morse-type chains were introduced very late in the X308 production, either very late 2002 or 2003 only.......and used on the subsequent X350 models, but you have the standard style, single-row chain. Your cam-cover-removed-pic shows the standard chain which will be what you receive in your kit.

 

The later Morse-type chain is a "multi-row" design and easily identifiable..........................

 

This is the kit I plan to order... thanks to CK.
All in one kit.

JAGUAR V8 4.0L 1999-2001 COMPLETE TIMING CHAIN KIT, EVERYTHING IN ONE BOX.

 

Morse-type chain . I knew that... mind is going...
thanks CK

 

Yes that is the correct one, the pre-1999 one had different valve cover/spark plug gaskets, and different VVT seal location. The 1999-2001 is the one you need. The later 2002-2003 has the morse-type chains.

You are fine.

 

Once it's all apart you should stop by and give me a hand......

 

LOL, yes, we are only about 2,700 miles apart!