Hello Guys,

First and foremost, my name is Adam. I'm new to the forum and Jaguars but not new to working on cars. I currently have a '89 Mustang, '02 911 Turbo and a '67 Triumph Gt6+ in my stable as my project cars. I do all my own work wherever possible.

A few days ago, on a tip to a local pick-n-pull I spotted a Racing Green XJR sitting outside wit a for sale sign. It looked in very good shape for a 13 year old car and after speaking with the yard manager, who turned out to be a fellow vivid car enthusiast it was mine for $1300 out the door. The car doesn't run and had 117,000 miles on it.





After an initial inspection it looks like the motor was seized. Someone took the oil pan off the motor and all the parts are in the trunk.

Only thing that appears to be missing is the downpipes with the cats. (Any ideas where I can source those cheap?)

3 rod caps have been taken off. 2 bearings are worn but in decent shape and 1 is spun. The motor and oil pan have no sludge buildup.
I haven't torn into it more than that at this point as I figured I'll do some more research.


The car looks very well taken care off, few rust spots on the body, drivers rear door was repainted, otherwise everything looks solid and very clean even on the underside. New brakes, brand new 5 tires overall very well maintained. 2 owners and 1 over the past 11 years.

Searched the forum and it looks like these motors are quite solid outside of the issued with chain tensioners and nikasil coatings.

I guess my question is, what could've caused this? What should I check when I tear into it? Any common issues with the oiling system to look for?

I'm going to pull the motor and take apart the bottom end to inspect the crank bearings to see if it's a loose rod bearing that finally spun or to look for other oiling problems.
I tried looking for replacement bearings online but it looks like they are not that common to buy. If I have the crank turned and polished where should I buy the bearings?(what are the best places for parts)

I've done a lot of motor/trans/body work on all my cars but I'm basically looking for some guidance since I really have no experience with Jaguars and want to save myself from making mistakes. Thanks

 

Internal parts for these cars are hard to find and expensive. You are going to find that you can get an used engine for less than the parts and labor of a rebuild. Then there is the ever popular Nikasil issue which means that you cannot do anything about the cylinders if they are not in good shape. Most would put a short block in from a used engine and be done with it, or a professionally rebuilt one. You have an AJ26 engine that was used for only 3 years, '97 - '99 in the case of the R so there are fewer and at this age probably higher mileage. If you do just the short block you can use the '99 - '02 AJ27 engine also. There is a FAQ Sticky at the top of the XK8/R forum that discusses all the issues with engine swaps.

. . . and welcome to the forum!

 

Welcome to the forum, best of luck with the repairs. As Testpoint says, parts are going to be expensive.

A replacement short engine would probably work out cheaper, or even a rear ended good running wreck (you are missing the down pipes and cats, it all adds up)

Good looking car though.

 

Yeah, I forgot about your mention of the cats. Price those puppies new and you will be an instant subscriber to car-parts.com. They are more than you paid for the car.

 

I have a 1998 XJR with the same issue (except threw a rod) I have an ad parting out in the for sale section, feel free to contact me there about used engine parts, as I am going to disassemble the whole motor. (There is a hole in the pan and I expect to find a few more issues when it is apart)

Unfortunately, the cats are gone from mine, but I will keep my eyes peeled for you.

I lived in Schaumburg in 94-96, and restored an Alfa Spider ground up during the winter in my (heated) garage. Good times.

 

Anyone know if there is off road cat-bypass pipes or at least flange adapters that I could get my hands on?

 

I was looking at that thread. Lots of good info there. I also downloaded the JTIS and technical guides which really points out the differences between the SC version of the blocks and NA.

I'd like to go to a 4.2L motor and swap my other parts over but I'm concerned as to how much that might run me? I'm not looking to be the fastest cat on the block at this point. I'd just like to get this car running without breaking a bank.

 

I think I'm too new to send PM's. Are you parting out the body? I need a drivers side rear door with no rust.

 

You can reach me at blackjaguarxj6 at gmail dot com-

 

Well Adam welcome to the board I have an 01 motor and trans complete with harness an computer its a direct boltin an it has only 8k on it, it was wrecked in the rear and so they totaled the car. I have started it and runs perfect hell not even broken in it even has the cats and downpipes. Let me know if your interested will make you a good deal if you are.

 

I'd snap his hand off!

 

Yes. An 8K factory built motor is better than a 0K rebuilt.

 

PM Sent

 

unless I build it ;-)

 

Could be. But sitting around for long periods of time is no good for an engine.

 

i could only dream of a engine/trans with only 8,000 miles

 

Its been well maintained I changed the secondary tensioners on it sprayed a bit of trans fluid in the cylinders to keep them from rusting and turn it over time to time the injectors are all cleaned and sealed. I was gunna use this car but my new cars engine turned out to be perfect.

 

Does your exhaust attach with slip joints or flanges to the cats? I have cats from a 99 XJR in excellent condition with only 55K miles I could sell if you will still need them.

 

Well, I'm not sure what you mean, but I'll have headers from the '98 and from a '04 as I'm getting a newer motor and I know they bolt up a bit differently

 

you still have that engine? i may be looking for one for my car...pending a compression test.