Not sure where the best place to post this is, but like the title says, I'm looking for any firms (or private parties ftm) that can sell me an engine.

3.8 or 4.2, not important, just need a solid, dependable engine. Stock to mildly tuned, just needs to be a no issues sold motor which means it can be a fresh rebuilt unit as well.

Any recommendations for firms that offer this are greatly appreciated...thanks!

 

there is a beautiful rebuilt 4.2 with 3.8 valve covers in Florence Alabama for $12,500.
3 carbs. Alternator, 1967 E type.
seller is Marvin Gruber in Facebook.

 

Look for rusty series 1,2. or 3 XJ6 cars that had the 4.2 engine,
You should be able to get them cheaply.

 

Aus. is like South Africa. XJ6's have no value here. You need to send them to a place where rust eats them to get any value.

 

Be very careful when thinking of buying a 4.2 litre, because they suffer from cracking between the bores. This then causes constant head-gasket failures. If you want to see how this is fixed, view this video of a US shop doing the block repairs.
Jim's Automotive Machine Shop, Inc. - YouTube
I would think there will be few 3.4 or 3.8 engines around now, although you may be lucky. Most "scrapper" engines from Jaguars will be 4.2s from the XJ saloons. After 1982, the blocks were machined differently to cure the block cracking. These are the so-called "slotted blocks", which are very obvious to see if the head is off.

 

Hey Fraser, thanks for that.

Well aware of this issue, as the engine in my '73 XJ6 ended up getting that very same treatment.

Jim's video was very timely btw...learned all about the procedure as the work was being performed on my engine...after all that, the engine becomes basically bombproof...provided one doesn't over-rev it of course.

 

Thanks Jose, gonna give him a call.

 

Yeah, a decent core is pretty easy to find, I'm looking for something anywhere from "good running used" to "freshly rebuilt"...

...basically, I'm not keen on waiting 4-6+ months to drive the car, and this allows me to get it back on line until the original engine has been done.

Having a spare ain't a bad thing ya know...

 

After my second HGF, on my 1980 XJ6 (worst year for quality !!), I decided something needed to be done ! A scotsman who had sold me an unrusted boot lid had mentioned block cracking so I contacted him in about 1990 to ask advice. He told me that of the long stud engines, he found about 7 out of 10 of 7L blocks were cracked, and with the supposedly stronger 8L blocks it was 8 out of 10 ! He made a living out of rebuilding XK engines, and was familiar with the lipped liner cure. However, he sold me a standard bore 7L block, (mine was 8L) that wasn't cracked, plus a set of new pistons, and I rebuilt my engine around that block. It was a BIG JOB ! However, I got there in the end and that car is still around somewhere in England because the registration number can still be seen on the government website of registered cars. However, it has been off the road since 2019. In contrast, my wife's previous New Beetle of year 2000, has gone so I suppose it's scrapped.

 

https://www.jagtas.org.au/torque/tec...-engine-block/

 

Hey Jose, could you possibly link me to this guy in Alabama with the e-type engine?

...I've tried to find the listing on FB, and he doesn't appear to check his personal FB page. I joined the private Jag buy and sell site on FB, but all the offers are located in the UK!

I'm pretty useless when it comes to navigating stuff like FB, and am wondering if it's because I'm physically located in Central America...

Thanks!

 

Chris, facebook does not let me copy a link.
I sent him a message.

 

Hey thanks a bunch Jose, really appreciate it!

 

Chris,
I sent you a PM with contact info for 4.2 engine.

 

Sorry, messed up the first reply...

Jose, again thanks for "greasin' the wheels" on this...spoke to the guy, and it looks quite promising.

 

Chris, glad To help.
the pictures of the engine look awesome, did you ask him to send you pictures ?

 

You say 1983 onwards are OK, do you have an engine number? AlecG.

 

Hey Jose, Marvin's engine is very nice, but in the end I opted to have Vintage Jag Works in Idaho build me a brand new engine off of a core they supplied...I could have had them rebuild mine, but since matching numbers is not so important to me (it's a Mk2 after all), I'm dealing with time constraints plus my engine turned out to be quite worn out, I just went ahead and pulled the trigger on an exchange.

No matter who you're dealing with, be it rebuilt or used, an engine with no warrantee is still a risk, sometimes a very costly one.

 

chris,

i hope they didn't sell you my 3.4 engine that i brought to them in april of 2023 and said that they completed in october! and have then been cobbling together another one for me ever since, as i have yet to have the rebuild completed! haha

BTW, how was your experience with jagworks?

 

So far, so good mate...I imagine a 3.4 is a fair bit more difficult to get bits for, no?