The gasket you have has raised pressings around the mating apertures, these are designed to crush and create the seal, the theory is that due to the raised pressing, the compressive strength is greater around each aperture so there is less likelihood of leaking across the face of the gasket or between any aperture, this type is a more modern design, and some would say better than a standard fibre gasket .

You can use a gasket sealant on any gasket, one such sealant is Wellseal, this has been around for decades and was developed by Rolls Royce for sealing of machined surfaces, it can be used with or without a gasket depending on the use, does not fully set and allows the parts to be taken apart at a later date, it virtually guarantees a good seal, my Grandfather used this stuff, and I still use it today.

The Blue colour for the head looks a good match, could you post the colour you used on my thread re head paint colours please Chuck.

 

I got the paint from SNG Barrett so I done know the paint code. Took two months to get it, and it is frivolous, but I am happy with it.



Built a cart and got engine off engine stand. Next is to attach the transmission and roll it under the car



Paint for 3.8 ltr engine head from SNG Barrett

 

Thanks Chuck, typical, it seems to be a closely guarded secret !

Engine looks good, what did you use on the exhaust manifolds ?

 

Manifolds were done by a place called Jet-Hot coatings out of Oklahoma. It is a ceramic shield that protects the manifold and reduces heat radiation in the engine compartment. Best of all they look good and I only had to send them the rusty dirty ones and $$$.

 

I used Jet Hot Coatings for my XJ-6 exhaust parts and one engine manifold shield. The coatings have held up for 15 years now. I used their Sterling coating which is a mix of silver and ceramic "something". looks like nickel. Highly recommended and it does lower the exhaust parts temperature, without a doubt.

 

the blue SNG Barrat paint looks identical to the remaining paint in the cylinder head of my S type 3.8 liter, which is a 9:1 compression head.

 

7,8 & 9:1 Heads are identical, Its the piston dome size that denotes compression ratio, Even though its stamped on the end of the head number

 

no wonder my S type engine feels like a souped up tractor.

 

Totally agree there Jose, My last 3.8 S-type had 9:1 pistons in a freshly rebuilt engine and it was to date the fastest 3.8 compact i've ever driven

 

blot3.8, do you mean yours feels like a souped up tractor too?

I mean, my '65 S type is faster off the line than my 1984 XJ-6 if you can believe that. Yes, the XJ catches quickly, but I said "off the line", both in first gear up to 4,500 rpm then shift to 2nd.

 

Well, More 'Nicely loosened up' than 'Souped up tractor' It accelerated hard and fast, Had the edge on other 3.8's ive owned and driven, It was a tidy '66 in golden sand with brown interior, Would'nt have hesitated using it as a getaway car for a bank job

 

I am hoping this MK2 is a little more peppy (and reliable) than the 1986 XJ-6 (4.2 ltr) that I had. That car was a pig off the line, but faster once you got it’s substantial mass moving.

 

Manual box is the key, Night and day compared to the old 3 speeder autos. On that subject if anyone knows of an XJ6 S1 Clutch pedal box or S2/3 Brake and clutch pedal box please PM me as i want to convert my S1 to manual.

 

Created a cover to hide the AC system and make it match the heater

 

I like the cover Chuck. Good improvement.
Lin

 

One possibly helpful hint is to cover your heater box with Hardura. his was standard on the Daimler Saloon. It will help keep heat out of your cabin which you will need as the Evap. unit will be working hard in the engine bay. Here is a pic of the covers--easily applied.

 

Chuck,
where did you get the heater-coolant shiny pipes?

George,
the heater box in my S type is covered in Hardura. I've seen other S type with similar Hardura covers.

 

I think I got the set of three new pipes from XKS unlimited. Good thing I found them as my old ones had rust holes in addition to being unattractive

 

SNG also do a stainless heater pipe set part no SBS9226

 

When it was going my 66 S-Type was significantly quicker off the line than my 2003 S-Type. Discovered this when I was driving the 66 and my wife driving the 03....