Happy New Year to One and All. May your miles always be met with smiles.

I always like to understand the history of the machines I own especially this beautiful X300. I know that the engine was based on the basic engine that has been built since WWII. That is a double overhead cam inline six cylinder engine. Somewhere I have read that the X300 4.0L and maybe the 3.2L as well was redesigned to be capable of being used as basis for the diesel engine. If this is so that engine used as a gasoline engine should last forever. A diesel engine is a heck of a lot beefer than a gasoline engine.

Does anyone have knowledge of this bit of history? If so I would like to hear from you.

Thanks guys and gals.

 

Andy would be the expert

The AJ6 engine in the XJ40 was an all-new design I think, moving away from DOHC 2 valves per cylinder (the XK design since 1948's XK120) to a 4-valve head.
The AJ16 (in the X300) is a development of the AJ6

the AJ6 was initially 2.9 and 3.6 litres, subsequently 4 litres

 

having just posted above, I remembered this- THE JAGUAR AJ6 ENGINE - 3.2, 3.6, AND 4.0 LITRE / AJ6 Engineering

a good starting point

 

Thanks very much AL. This is a fantastic source of the development of Jag engines. I will be studying this document for a long time.

Thanks again.

 

this is also a great video about the V12 development - a bit dated in its delivery, but that's all part of the appeal

 

Thanks for that.

 

Sadly the AJ16 is a history of typical jaguar Under development ...but in the late 90s the whole worlds motor industry marketing people got the idea that everyone wants a V6/8/10 in a modern luxury or sports vehicle and that was the end of a relatively short life for the AJ16

Andy Stoddart recently sent me the file attached

A story of a guys passion about the AJ16 and what it can be made into.....astonishing power numbers

 

Statement spot on.


And thanks xxxscimitarxxx (and Andy) for sharing that pdf mag article. Amazing!