New, hopefully lucky owner of a 104k mile 1999 XJR.

Purchased it knowing it would need some work - so far, a lot of surprises. Some good, some... not so clear yet.

First, after hunting around here on the forum, I was under the impression that a 1999 XJR (May 99 build) would be an AJ26 engine. Looking at photos of the throttle body (since XJRs don't have VVT) I was pretty sure this was an AJ26

I read through the extensive service history from the original owner, and though there was a note about throttle body replacement, nothing about timing system. So I ordered the AJ26 orange/grey valve cover gaskets as well as the secondary tensioners and bolts to take care of right away.

This of course was before I had the valve covers off...

So just after taking them off (oil almost completely filling spark plug tubes, clear oil drips from both valve covers onto exhaust manifold baffles) I instantly see that they use the revised design.

So, now I have the Felpro gasket kit on order. And I have some brand new VC gaskets to put up in the classifieds, as well as tensioners, because I immediately see the upgraded metal-bodied secondary tensioners.

So, now that I have introduced the situation, here are a few related questions.

1. Is this indeed an AJ27 engine, then, based on the valve covers alone? I can snap a few pictures if this would help...
2. Chances I have nikasil vs the improved bores? Any way to know for sure besides bore-o-scope?
3. Is there any way to tell if the primary/lower chain tensioner has been replaced other than pulling the front cover?

 

The best guide to whether you have a nikasil engine, is the engine number.

 

I guess since it was made in 1999, it has to be nikasil, since it looks like August 18 2000 was the switchover.

Still interested in feedback on #1 and #3.