Jeez, no kidding! What a steal! the guy didn't know or care what he had.

 

Yes, an X308, so you should get lots of advice on that forum. I know nothing much about the X308s, apart from the upper timing chain tensioner issue, and, (or course), the Nikasil issue, but your car is after that was corrected with steel liners.

Lots of parts on the aftermarket. If you have electrical plugs on the damper tops it has CATS. I think the previous owner neglected the car, and supposed it would run forever without attention. Did you get any service records with the car ? I would straight away replace all fluids, although transmission and diff will wait a while if the level is OK.

 

Weren't the tensioners replaced on the 2003 models? Mine doesn't look to be plastic unless it was replaced. I asked for some service records, but he gave me a # to a private shop that did majority of the work and I really don't care to call and ask because its obvious it was never maintained well, but it should be fine under my hands now. The thermostat was bad after I tested it with hot/boiling water and it didn't open at all which was the root cause of the engine over heating so from my personal opinion I believe the shop he got it "serviced at" lied and tried to up sale a new engine swap or head gasket job.

 

nice car, 2003 with the "R1" brake package, nearly a $5000 option back in the day!

you got a good deal, just that set of brakes sells for $750-$1500!

enjoy the car

 

i RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT BUY ONE UNLESS IT HAS THE 4.2 V-8

 

If you read the thread, he's already bought it, and it was one heck of a deal.

The 4.0 is a very good engine, admittedly the tensioners and head gaskets can be an issue, but the 4.2 means a totally different car, with very different pricing too.

I'm quite jealous of what he got, myself.

 

The 2003 AJ27 engine already had the Morse Style primary chain and metal tensioners.

 

So I wouldn't need to replace it? The valve covers are still off tomorrow and my parts will be arriving. I am going to assemble everything in less then an hour and fire her up crossing my fingers for the engine to be okay. It looks to me the tensioners look metal and not plastic.

 

Replace it? What "it" are you referring to? I guess you are going to assume the head gaskets are Ok and give it a go. I hope it works out! If the tensioner shoes seem to have wear or cracks, replace the tensioners. Otherwise, put it back together!

If not, the engine block "deck" and the heads need to be checked for flatness, and the valve seats should be looked at. Check the archives; the one time use head bolts can be gotten from the Land Rover dealer cheaper than the Jag replacements.

I assume you are well versed on the correct procedure to align the cams.

 

Congrats, that was a helluva deal. When she's fixed, the first time you sink the pedal to the metal and feel the G-forces, you'll realize what a SUPERcar you bought!!!

 

Great buy - last of this model year, R1 brake/wheel package, CATS equipped, and the mug that sold it didn't have a clue.
I suspect it'll be fine once the coil boots are rid of oil. Once up and running enjoy. It could do with an oil change along with filters.

The 03's as already mentioned by Spark are equipped with the later timing equipment so no need for tensioners etc, just get it back together minty clean with the new gaskets.

$1500 for an 03' with all the toys, BARGAIN BUY.

 

For $1500 i would have bought it just to look at in my driveway. haha

 

Does anyone know a website or a place that sells re-manufactured Jaguar engines? It would be nice to just buy a fresh engine and have it replaced instead of a used one. This current engine is toast it's losing compression unfortunately.

I also would like to know if there is a difference between the X308 XJ8 engine vs X308 XJR engine? I'm assuming the XJR has different internals and camshafts because it's supercharged?

 

Just find a low mileage 4.2 with a better eaton. Upgrade that thing!

Was it the headgaskets or the actual block?

 

A normal XJ8 won't work, you need a SC engine. But I think all you need to do is replace the headgaskets.

 

Cylinder 1 & 7 are @ 65 psi during compression test and it goes up to 130-135 with a cap or two of oil added into the cylinder. I then did a leak down test on the bad cylinders and it's losing compression from the rings you can clearly hear the air escaping from the oil dip stick. All other cylinders were about 140-145 psi. I would do a 4.2 swap, but I'm going to stick to OEM 4.0L and have the eaton ported by Stiegemeier with a lower pulley, upper pulley, and methanol injection. I'm not sure when this project will begin, but hopefully I can get my hands around this weekend to disconnect a few things to pull the engine out.

 

Awww maannn! But i'm in for a build thread!

 

only progress from today:

 

only progress from today:

The cooling system had some sort of metal particle glazing so I removed the cooler and everything to have it pressure washed internally and externally.

 

Supercharger looks abnormally clean or maybe it's because it only has 100k?

Look's like she's in good hands now! I'll be updating my thread soon too.