Picked up my first jaguar last weekend. Got great deal on 2012 SC with blown head gasket. Been buying and fixing Volvo’s for past few years decided to step it up a bit. Have a ton of experience on head gaskets on ford Chevy and so many other models but excited to do my first jaguar. Never thought I would own one of these and can’t wait to drive it.





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Just hope it's only the gaskets and I would spend some time making sure the block and heads are not warped. These are very good engines but very precision made and just will not tolerate being run hot. We have seen it over and over. My car got hot and I just drove to the nearest exit. Can't do that. You stop immediately and that means right now!
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Thank you clubairth1. Yes inspecting everything. It is a bit of a gamble. The shop that rebuilds my heads are experienced in straightening warped heads and they told me they are confident these are repairable. From what I am told head blew and car stalled immediately. That’s not saying it didn’t get hot. Plastic intake was melted to the throttle body. As far as can heads be replaced without pulling engine time will tell. So far it appears I have room. At least two bolts look like they will have to be pulled up and secured before pulling head they will not come completely out of the hole.

 

Keep us informed as that's a big project and I am watching it with interest! Also maybe consider removing the bottom bolt on the engine mounts and using a floor jack on the oil pan to raise the engine if more room is needed. Don't know if that's possible on this model XJ but I have used that trick with good results on my old 2005 S Type.
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I have done this so if you have any questions pm me. There are some special tools you will need. I'm sure you already knew that. Mainly the cam locking tools. The pully puller is nice to have. Made life easy. Good luck.

 

I was able to remove the heads. But now I must replace the engine because the block is cracked. Looking for a cheaper option than LKQ for 8000.

 

Oh that's some bad luck!
Great work getting the heads off too.

You going with a complete engine or just a short or long block?
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Exploring options. Like the upgraded rebuilt from Jack at sharper edge engines. Anybody else go that route?

 

I absolutely loved my 2011 Jaguar XJL X351 5.0 V8 New Re-Manufactured engine with heat treated metal sleeves on the bottom end with the upgrades
(Complete resealed, new upgraded timing actuated to fit an 8 MM Chain. upgraded new 8 MM Chain and 8 MM Tensioners. upgraded timing chain guide & rails to Aluminum/plastic and a 3-layer head gasket).
I elected to also purchase the installation kit:
Water Pump, Thermostat, Heater Pipe, Hose from Heater Pipe to Throttle Body, 2 Hoses from water pump to Throttle Body, 2 Piece Water Outlet pipe.

Jack from Sharper Edge Engine LLC was awesome.
The Engine was built by Rick Diament,Elite Auto Parts,9944 Glenoaks Blvd, Sun Valley, CA. 91352.

 

Sure would like to know what "heat treated sleeves on the bottom end" is?
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