I don't know when the last oil change was bit it looks like they added sand as well.

Anyway just returned from the UK with the engine and block and crankshaft. These have been rebored and skimmed so hopefully back to normal. I also had the rear oil mod performed on the crankshaft so hopefully will reduce the oil leaks in the futuer. I had all this work this done at a real backshop engine shop called Gosnays in Romford but the work is fantastic as you can see from the attached photos.

I also picked up a lot of metal chassis parts from Martin Robey bot more about that later.

With regard to the electrics I have labelled every wire and the wire junction so hopefully when I put it back together it will all work perfectly, here's hoping anyway!!!!!!Picture show parts of the dash board harness.

 

Ray,

In pic 2 is the front core plug fitted the wrong way round or is it just the way the light is falling on it?

Graham

 

Sorry been away for a while but now back and checked all plugs are the correct way round so it was just the light.

 

I strongly suggest you remove the sludge trap plugs in the crankshaft and clear them out, they will be almost blocked. Sometimes a lot of heat is needed, but they will come out. You can then make sure all the oilways are clear. Replace with new plugs which will need staking after screwing back in.

Has the workshop cleaned the main oil gallery out or not ? worth a check. Probably a new oil pump will improve matters, and check the small hole and conical gauze filter from the gallery to the base of the lower timing chain tensioner housing. If blocked, (common), the tensioner won't work.

Check the aluminium timing chest cover for corrosion of the wall where the coolant passage is cast into it , as this can provide a nice little exit for the coolant into the oil !

Of course Gosnays may have done all this for you.

 

Welll here we are the start of the real "restoration".

As I said earlier engine was re-bored and head skimmed so now the build out can start. New Pistons will also be installed

Today fitted the crankshaft bearings abd the engine looks like it come to lifr again. Watched the video from Classic Engines but they forgot to mention the first thing to install is the rear crankshaft seal. I have had the crankshaft ground to accept the latest version of this so hopefully will not get puddles of oil on my driveway.

 

Well engine re-build moving on but slowly as the weather has been so nice my wife wants me to work in the garden before winter comes.

Any way completely installed crankshaft and now all pistons installed.

Hopefully the weather gets worse so I can spend more time on the car.

 

Your pics bring back many happy memories for me !!

 

Great pix, Ray. Thanks for documenting. I may be following you if the 3.8 doesn't fire up.

 

Well the snow has arrived in Germany so lets hope we can get the engine back together again.

Couldn't decide whether to paint the sump or not but in the end I painted it and it looks great. Spent a while working out where I put all the bolts as one set was easy to find but the forward studs I'd obviously taken off later and they were in a different bag. Anyway found them and fitted new seal and with a couple of layers of hylomar over the gasket fitted sump.

Moved on the to cylinder head and started to polish the spherical bowl and then ground in the valves with rough and fine paste, boy does this make your wrist sore. Is there not an automatic machine for this!!!!!! Finally assembled valves and the springs with the small half cotter collars being very awkward to fit. Used a little bit a grease on a small screwdiver to get them located and patiently got them located in the valve stem recess.

Got round to putting all the bolts in the block ready for the block to go on hopefully next week.

 

no big deal but I thought all XK engine sumps were painted silver.

 

Jose

Thanks for this and as you can see I have changed the colour of the sump as you recomended, the problem was I watched a DVD on an XK engine rebuild and their sump was black so I copied this, however looking at other restorations the majority of the sumps are silver.

I have also now assembled the head to the block and get the camshafts all lined up. Just got the rocker covers to fit and then I will pack up the engine whilst I do the rest of the car.

Considering I could not even turn this engine when I removed it and it looked like it spent most of its life on a beach!!!!!! I am pleased with the outcome. It is easy to turn and you can hear the compression every time you turn it. Lets hope it purrs when it goes back in the car next year and I fire it up.

Next job is to start some welding - something I haven't done for over 30 years since I completed my apprentiship, lets hope its like riding a bike in that you never forget how too!!!!

Anyway some more shots of the rebuild so enjoy.

 

Very cool project! Seems we have something in common. Here is what I am working on;

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/m...oration-77797/

 

Well at last I can celebrate the first major milestone on this project the completion of the engine rebuild. Considering from were I came from - with an engine looking like it had been driven in the Sahara desert I am very pleased with the outcome. It is all back together and turns over very smootly, obviously cannot test this to next year but for me that is just about getting fuel to it and igniting it!!!!!! perhaps I will regret this next year when this simple statement comes back to haunt me.

Anyway here are some before and after shots just to show everyone the project.


Moving onto the front bodywork including crows feet, crossmember etc now so wish me luck!!!!

 

Ray,

That's more of a resurrection than just a rebuild - hope it goes as well as it looks.

The sump colour discussion earlier in the thread triggered a memory of the differences but I couldn't recall the reason at the time. I've finally remembered! A rebuilt exchange motor used to come from Jaguar with a black sump.

Graham

 

A bit late, but here is a source for a port and polish kit. You have a variety of stones you can use with an electric drill.

Mr. Gasket Engine Port Polishing Kits 4362 - SummitRacing.com

 

What a transformation, Ray. Terrific job! Sometimes there's frustration, but so much satisfaction in doing as much of the work yourself. That's the first question everyone asks. "It's beautiful. Did you restore it yourself?" Most of the work, certainly most of the hours. Great going.

 

Congratulations on your engine rebuild. I have rebuilt about 6 of them over the years, and all went well, just followed the manual. They all started first time, except when I forgot that Jaguar numbered the cylinders from the back of the motor, so the ignition timing was out.

good luck

 

Hi every body and a Happy New Year to all Jag lovers out there.

Had two weeks vacation over Christmas and made some progress on the restoration. Mainly concerned myself with repairing the front chassis and cross member so I can use my "roll over" jig to good effect but as you can see needed to replace front end to give some strength to rust and fresh air. Obviously I took on one of the hardest assembies to make first up with tapers, joggles, front bumper attachents and alignment with the front suspension all combined to test my skills. Must admit made a couple of "Practice" pieces before I was happy with the result, all I need now is more pracitce with the welder.

I attach some photos of the build our from what was there ( or not there as the case may be ) of the front end up to the installation and about 70% of the welding completed - I will complete the rest when I can rotate the car to give better access.

 

what a job! what can I say except if you ever come to Florida maybe you can rebuild my engine

 

Hi Ray, that is a very impressive job you have done restoring the chassis.
Hope the remainder of your task goes well.