If I were going to take an AJ26 short block and mate it up to AJ27 heads (for the sake of argument let's say it's for an XJ8) What are the LEAST expensive gaskets I can get? Do the lincoln ones work? I am hoping to get a full set with valve seals, but the lowest I have found is the Jaguar one for $302.

 

Ok.... so after zero replies I went ahead and ordered the XJ8 kit from Partsgeek with a 15% off coupon...2nd day air included $306. I am still going to break my budget, but it will be worth it to have a well sorted drivetrain. Tomorrow I will begin the cleaning process, separate the transmission and open it up to look for cracks in the A-drum.

 

A couple questions:
1. should I move the AJ27 oil pump to the AJ26 short block?
2. How do I make sure the flex plate is on the correct orientation when I switch it over from the AJ27 to the AJ26?

 

STAR TREK Dave, you're going where no man has gone before !!!

 

Lol heeeeeelllllp

 

I paid $257.25 for the AJ26 set from partsgeek,

 

Nice! Hopefully it will arrive for me by this weekend so I can build the long Block. Am hoping to drive it bu next Sunday...

 

i think I am going to have to buy shims....

 

Well, I should have the heads done by this weekend, so I would be happy to send you what I have left to try out- it will be 32 to choose from....

 

It depends on the 27 pump fitting, keyway from the crank and oil pickup. Also the primary sprockets drive. Does it look different? Like two oil nozzles pointing at the primary chains?

The 27 heads have 2 Cam Postion Sensors, 1 on each bank, the 26 has 1, I'm not sure if the reluctor is the same for both. You may have to fit the 26 cams and all that entails. Or remove them and swap them to avoid shimming, but this will have to be a perfect job as the engine relies on this for electronic timing, if out by a smidge it'll run rough as a bear's ****.

Flexplate is bolted in a one way only fashion with a locator dowel.

 

Thanks Sean! I am taking an AJ27 long block out of a 2001 car and replacing it with a (relatively) low mileage AJ26 short block. All long block parts will come from the AJ27 so I just want to make sure I move as much over as I can FROM the AJ27. The AJ27 pump has a higher capacity, it looks like it will fit fine. I am hoping to have the long block ready to go by this weekend, I still need to remove the A-drum from the used trans I bought with the short block and check it for damage... Fingers crossed I will be driving it next weekend and have (maybe?) the first AJ27>>AJ26 successful swap.

Hopefully the nikasil paired with AJ27 upgrades will prove to be a winning combo.

JUST TO BE SURE- there is only one way to put the AJ27 flex plate on the AJ26 short block? I want to make sure the timing comes out perfect.

 

rito, all parts from 27 to 26.
I'm assuming they bolt up the same! Have you been able to compare them yet? I don't recall any change of install, but they do have different timing slots so it's needed.

I thought the 27 heads where toast? have you another pair?

 

After removing the heads they did not look so bad- 6 dropped seats and no bent valves... so It looks like I will be able to use4 them. They are at the machine shop now and should be done today or tomorrow. I have removed everything from the old long block and have the new (AJ26) short block on the stand, gasket set arrived this afternoon...time to start building!!

 

Question- The AJ26 pistons do NOT have the cutouts for the valves- does this change the valve clearances? Do I need to make them larger than the AJ27 calls for?

Thanks!

 

ANOTHER question- the pistons on the AJ27 have divots for valve clearance, the pistons on the AJ26 short block that I am using do not- WILL I HAVE A CLEARANCE PROBLEM using the AJ27 cams?

 

Is the 26 a supercharged engine?

The cams all share the same part number. There is no lift difference between any 4.0 engine, and valve length is the same. The only difference is in the pistons NA 10.75:1 S/C 8.9:1 compression ratios.
You won't have a problem with clearance, but you won't be getting 240bhp either if they are low compression. Bonus here is you can run it on crap gas

 

No- not supercharged, just small divots for valve clearance on the 27 pistons- thanks for the cam info- looks like I have no worries!

 

The dowel that goes into the elongated hole in the flex plate is ROUND. Does it squeeze into the flex plate as it is tightened, or do I have to grab the dowel from the old motor?

Thank you!

 

The dowel that goes into the elongated hole in the flex plate is ROUND. Does it squeeze into the flex plate as it is tightened, or do I have to grab the dowel from the old motor?

Bueller, Bueller?

 

The dowel slot is oval(on the 27) so I don't think it matters, the key is locating the bolts (and timing slots).....

*edit* just looked at Jaguar's parts site and it says when fitting drive plate replace crank dowel with AJ8 1478. Better buy new then ...

Have you compared the flexplates and timing slots? - That's got to be a picture for your thread on this swap.
Hope this helps