Jaguar V8 conversion
Discussion
While I`ve had my share of problems with the ajp V8(and someone elses share) I still think that it`s a cracking engine,but I`ve noticed that some people on here talk about the jag v8 as an alternative.
Last week I ended up the owner of a non runner 98 xkr for 5k motor trader was desperate to shift it,no-one was intrested ,he lost 7k on it!,one of the timing chain tensioners had collapsed and snapped the offside chain between cams and banged the valves on one bank only,and the gearbox was knackered apparently.
I originally thought that I would drop another engine in and sell it,as i`ve read on the Jag forum that its about 6k to rebuild these units! but I couldn`t find an engine at a sensible price.
so I stripped the damaged engine and found that even after 108k that the bores (nikasil)
were perfect,cross hatching still clearly visible,this is a weak point in pre 2000 engines,later versions steel have liners.
and the gearbox problem was the sport setting switch,sorted for the price of two beers for the sparky and two for me of course.
I got a quote for parts from dovercourt ford chelmsford and decide to rebuild the old unit as it was a lot cheaper than a secondhand unknown quantity unit.
Rings,shells,32 valves,chains(full set of 4)tensionersx4 and guides,new crank damper and complete gasket set came to less than £900,did a quick rebuild,
(dont know how these Jag dealers charge those sort of prices for joe public`s cars?)
only took three hours to get it out,about five on the rebuild and five again fitting,including running up and a quick wash and hoover!
Drove it home last night,got a damn fine car for no money,goes like a train,bloody smooth and quiet aswell.
If you are handy with the spanners and find a damaged unit it might be worth a look at the right money as it`s a cheap way to go for decent power but it looks like they are bloody expensive/hard to get in the first place if they run.
this unit is very compact aswell,considering its capacity and surprisingly light.
Not much room for improvemnt in the valve area though.
It would be quite something in a small fiberglass car if you know what I mean,
but it seems that these engines need the chain tensioners(modified design 3 times now apparently) changing every 50k just for saftey sake.
As mine owes me not a hill of beans, I`ll drive it into the ground,dont take long for a Jag to be worth bugger all now days anyway and then use the drivetrain for something in the future maybe.
anyone using this route yet? the electronics look quite simple.
Last week I ended up the owner of a non runner 98 xkr for 5k motor trader was desperate to shift it,no-one was intrested ,he lost 7k on it!,one of the timing chain tensioners had collapsed and snapped the offside chain between cams and banged the valves on one bank only,and the gearbox was knackered apparently.
I originally thought that I would drop another engine in and sell it,as i`ve read on the Jag forum that its about 6k to rebuild these units! but I couldn`t find an engine at a sensible price.
so I stripped the damaged engine and found that even after 108k that the bores (nikasil)
were perfect,cross hatching still clearly visible,this is a weak point in pre 2000 engines,later versions steel have liners.
and the gearbox problem was the sport setting switch,sorted for the price of two beers for the sparky and two for me of course.
I got a quote for parts from dovercourt ford chelmsford and decide to rebuild the old unit as it was a lot cheaper than a secondhand unknown quantity unit.
Rings,shells,32 valves,chains(full set of 4)tensionersx4 and guides,new crank damper and complete gasket set came to less than £900,did a quick rebuild,
(dont know how these Jag dealers charge those sort of prices for joe public`s cars?)
only took three hours to get it out,about five on the rebuild and five again fitting,including running up and a quick wash and hoover!
Drove it home last night,got a damn fine car for no money,goes like a train,bloody smooth and quiet aswell.
If you are handy with the spanners and find a damaged unit it might be worth a look at the right money as it`s a cheap way to go for decent power but it looks like they are bloody expensive/hard to get in the first place if they run.
this unit is very compact aswell,considering its capacity and surprisingly light.
Not much room for improvemnt in the valve area though.
It would be quite something in a small fiberglass car if you know what I mean,
but it seems that these engines need the chain tensioners(modified design 3 times now apparently) changing every 50k just for saftey sake.
As mine owes me not a hill of beans, I`ll drive it into the ground,dont take long for a Jag to be worth bugger all now days anyway and then use the drivetrain for something in the future maybe.
anyone using this route yet? the electronics look quite simple.
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