Hey Bob Roy,
I'm sure we'd all laugh at you if we could put our hands on or hearts and say we would never ever do that. Painful as it is, we screw up sometimes. It's what makes us human.

There was nearly a thread like that started a while back. I guess most of have a tale we'd rather not tell:- except me, of course

You got there in the end.

Mike

 

I think you need to call this thread either two steps forward, one back... or the patience of Job.

 

Reinstalled the correct cams, re timmed it and guess what, I have compression.
Right now it it only shows about 100 per cylinder. I know it's low but I rechecked the left bank and it also was at about 100 where it was 170 last week. At least they are pretty close to the same. I think the battery is drained a little and last time the engine was warm. So now back to puttING it back together and see if she'll start.

 

On this date at 12:58 pm PDT the 2000 xk8 was reborn. Started right up and took a couple of minutes for it to settle down. Now it's running smooth as can be.

Have to sit outside of my shop for a while til the smoke clears because of the oil I put in the cylinders before I restarted it, it loops like a fog bank in there.

Now I will drive it around till all pending codes clear so I can get my smog test. Then I need to do a few minor cosmetic items, then my wife will take ownership.

Would like to thank motorcarman, dsnyder, RJ, Gus and his website, this forum, and all others for you input and encouragement. They say it take a village to raise a child, but I say it takes a forum like this to keep a xk8 from the reckers.

 

Congrats BobRoy, great to see one who is not afraid to do the engine R/B. Thanks for all the info you have provided and some what not to do.

 

Fantastic result: another cat saved.

Well done that man and thanks for sharing your story.

Mike

 

Awesome! Nothing quite as satisfying as hearing them run the first time after fixing.

 

After I got it running I have a few issues.

I had codes p0135, P0141, p0155, P0161all related to O2 sensor circuit. I didn't think all 4 sensors would fail at once. So I followed the wiring diagram to find what they have in common. They all go through the heater relay in the ECM fuse box. I replaced the relay and the codes are gone.

I had a P0328 code for knock sensor for the right bank. I checked the connection and some dummy not to be name here, me, forgot to plug it back in. Now that code is gone. Now no check engine light or restricted performance.

One issue left. As it idles it slowly overheats. Everything has been cleaned or replaced except for the block and the radiator. Feeling the radiator hoses the right side hose gets warm and then hot as it should. But the left side hose never even gets warm but I can feel the pressure build up in it. I'm thinking the radiator is either plugged or bad. I'm going to try a radiator flush and if that doesn't cure the problem I guess it's a new radiator.

Any other opinions would be appreciated.

 

I assume you checked the water pump, so the only thing I can think of besides the radiator is the thermostat is not opening all the way. I have one in my collection that is only part open at 215 deg.

 

I think I found it. I see some kind of liquid coming from underneath the car. I was just about to kick my dogs *** for peeing on my car. No I won't actually hit him.
I looked at it closer and it was water, I only put water in until I make sure everything is OK.

Looked around and found the norma connection on the right side was leaking at a good pace. I'll worry about it next week for I have to get ready to work out of town next week.

 

Jeeeeeeeeeze BobRoy.... Just read thru this to completion. Believe it or not, although I dont think I read from front to back like just now, just after OR before I bought my XK8 I did a LOT of reading and THIS is one of the post that made me feel like I would have the support to take her home.

Still, I am a little worried about my bucket/shim/valve situation and the camshaft cam journal clearances now, with the new head... All of my old shims came out of their sockets no problem, so thats good and another set will come with the "new" head... I dont know how I will ever get all of it/this right. I have NO experience with such things. No money for machining and it sounds like the "little things mean a lot" with Jagz...

Pre-head removal the damn this still sounded pretty ok - we will see what happens after my butchery, lol

Thanks for ALL of the BobRoy and you all... See ya on the flip side