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I have finally finished rebuilding a Jaguar 3.8 liter engine. Originally from a 1964 Mark X it has the 9:1 compression pistons. The engine had been in storage for many years, looked good but was an unknown quantity. The bores were round with little wear. they took a hone and the original pistons were refitted. New valve guides with intake and exhaust seals. Tappet hold down kit. Upgraded to a 4.2 water pump and timing cover. New chains and sprockets. No intake or exhaust, flywheel, starter or distributor. I plan to put it up for sale, probably on ebay. What would you say it could bring?
As much as someone is willing to pay. Put it on with a reserve of how much it owes you and see if two people want to trade bids for it. You could pick a figure out of the sky like £10k for it but it will never sell. Be reasonable with your starting price and get people bidding then the engine will find its own price.
You will always think it is worth more than it is because you are the seller. The buyer will think it is worth a lot less.
Half rebuilds make pricing even more difficult. What did you do to the crankshaft, mains & big ends? No intake, carbs or exhaust manifolds, flywheel, starter or distributor are against it. Does it have a generator/PS pump & any other accessories?
Half rebuilds make pricing even more difficult. What did you do to the crankshaft, mains & big ends? No intake, carbs or exhaust manifolds, flywheel, starter or distributor are against it. Does it have a generator/PS pump & any other accessories?
The crank was polished with all new bearings and seals. I have a generator with the ps pump that I plan on restoring and selling seperate. Sadly the rebuilt triple SU’s and other items were lost in a fire.
3 SU's etc. gone. Ouch indeed. Do you have a listing of bore taper & ovality measurements & crankpin/journal measurement from a reputable machine shop?
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Nov 24, 2021 at 10:21 AM.
Yes, I read about that and brought it to their attention. This engine has never been opened before and showed little wear so it should be rebuildable many times in the future.
Hello Jim,
Personally I would not touch this engine now, DYI honing jobs are just that, the bores now need a proper machine shop to fit in oversized pistons and bring the bores back to "true", as they did from the beginning.
I find that even engines that are with in spec with simple honing procedures, will have more blow-by and piston slap then normal, even if it is with in spec.
The head needs repair from the pitting around the water jacket, especially with a metal head gasket.
The problem now is that once the pitting has been repaired, it will need further skimming.
I suppose it's fine for an eBay sale and as a Sunday driver, but would not be suitable for the way I drive.
Rebuilt 3.8 liter engine
