My 2000 XK8 has 59,000 miles on it and I'm planning a secondary timing chain tensioner replacement in the very near future as preventive maintenance. Unfortunately, I'm awaiting surgery on my left shoulder, so I'm reluctant to tackle the job myself and am scoping out local mechanics.

It's my understanding that the Jag 4.0 V8 and the Lincoln 4.0 V8 are virtually the same engine, but for whatever reason, the Lincoln seems to have dodged the tensioner curse. I read where someone was planning to have the local Lincoln dealer change out the tensioners, and presumably replace them with the Lincoln version. Someone else also provided the Ford part numbers for the tensioners.

My question is: what is the extent of parts interchangeability between these two engines, and what are the economic advantages of using the Lincoln parts, if any? I'd also ask about having a Ford or Lincoln dealer do the replacement, but I break out in a rash just thinking about it.

 

The new tensioners I have installed in my My 99 XJR came in a Ford box and had the same casting marks as the Jaguar tensioners I used in my MY 98 XJR. They are the same as the metal tensioners sold for the Jag. No better, no worse. Ok, they are better because they were cheaper!!!

The engines are not identical, but I assume the tools are the same, so the Lincoln techs should be able to do a fine job.

 

I agree with Ross.
Not completely identaical but enough similarities exist to save quite a bit of money.
Practically all the timing system both primary and secondary are the same, along with cam shafts and valves, water pumps and thermos alike, hoses I think are slightly different, p/s system and gearboxes and diffs are same I believe.

 

And many Ford/Lincoln dealers have the cam lock down tools in their house tool locker as just as many Thunderbird/LS engines had the same problem with the plastic tensioners.

 

I looked into having my local Ford/Lincoln dealer do a bit of work on my XK8. They wouldn't touch it and the Lincoln parts were more expensive (Canada) then having the Jaguar parts shipped from SNG Barrett in the states. You might want to post to the North East section asking for a good local indy shop.

 

I've run into something similar. One of the rear bumper park aid sensors died on my Lincoln. I found out that it's identical to the ones used on many Fords (not surprising) and my S-type (sorta surprising).

At the local Ford-Lincoln parts counter the price changed by about 30% depending which vehicle I said it was for. The Jag price was about in the middle between the two, 15% less than Lincoln.

Pays to shop around.

 

Thanks all for the great information. I've had similar experiences with mechanical parts for both cars and boats, and it's pretty disgusting the way car companies take advantage of their customers. I used to own an 87 Mercedes 560SL and bought parts for it on ebay for 30% less than the dealer wanted.

 

I think it's a little unfair to blame the manufacturers entirely as a lot of the gouging is set up by the various franchise operators and it definately varies from state to state and country to country.
Her in Oz, it's bloody well obscene because of the relatively small market.
I do the majority of my shopping OS to get the best price.

 

True enough. I especially like the "dealers" that carry no stock, and just have the factory drop-ship directly to you when you place an order.

Max

 

The local dealer has been cross referencing Landrover V8 parts for me recently
In particular - conrod bolts - Jag $79.00 landrover $17.50 -- identical part

 

There you go....perfect example ;o]

 

When I rebuilt my 4.2 engine we used all Land Rover bolts as they were so much less money.

 

Which leads to the obvious question and a likely overwhelming project: a cross-referencing of part numbers between Jaguar, Land Rover (and maybe even Lincoln) for the most commonly-purchased (and expensive) items. Not sure how it could be done without access to the interchange data, but it would literally be worth its weight in gold! RE the post from dc4prez: he has someone in the parts department willing to help him with the interchange: I wonder how many other Jag/Land Rover dealers would be as cooperative when it cuts into their profit margin?

Max