Only the drivers side is blown so I'm wondering if I should do both or just one.

Edit: I guess I should've proofread the topic.

 

Fixed it for you. :-)

 

Both, most of the work for one applies to both and i would pull both heads, new gaskets, tensioners, guides, chains, valve job and spring pressures set, clearanced, etc. On the r it is not the way to go if you want to keep it to just do half.

 

Not sure what year, but use 4.2 head gaskets, even on a 4.0.

 

I did both- I recommend doing just one!

 

I would make the decision after pulling the first head. Buy the parts for both. if the first one needs valve work or needs to have the carbon cleaned, do both.

 

Both- you are already in there, and if you don't there will always be that nagging little voice in your head telling you that you should have...

 

. . . and there is nothing like that nagging little voice ('cept your wife, often same voice). I side with Ross, do one side; happy, close it up; not, do the other side.

 

I rounded a bolt head on the side I did not need to do! So I am highly biased...

 

I tend to suffer from the "while I'm at it" syndrome. To replace a rusted brake line on an old Corvette required lifting the body. Two years and ten grand later I'm staring at a completely restored chassis and thinking what a shame it would be to put the body back on such a beautiful chassis without stripping it all the way back to bare fiberglass and having it repainted. It doesn't look bad and I originally had no plans to do anything to the body but after all, this would be the time to do it just like the factory. And while I'm at it.....

 

+1

 

Do you want a cheap fix, or do it properly?
Common sense would dictate that you do both sides and check a few other issues at the same time.
Considering the pressure these engine are under and being a performance
vehicle they do get a hammering ;o]

 

Would a different socket have avoided the rounding?

Not criticising your work or tools, but very curious.

 

What year?

And asl always, can we have pictures when you get that far?

Guess you already know about replacing those heater hoses
... "while you're in there".

 

plums:
Like most screw ups, it happened when I got in a hurry, after many hours work and I let the wrench get misaligned.

The new bolts are torx or sockets heads as I recall, so the Jag boys must have realized the hex heads were not such a great idea.

 

It's called 'Shipwright's Disease'. BTDT with the Lotus Europa I bought 8 years ago. Thought it would be a rolling restoration. Turned into a bare frame restoration. The story is on my website under the journal for 693R. Somehow, that's always how it goes, right?

 

I guess I'll tear into it and see. Probably will do both sides. I just hate disrupting exhaust mainfolds. It's a '98 with about 130k miles on it. The car is really well documented by the previous owners mechanic. I intend to resell it once I fix the headgasket, I'll probably rebuilt the supercharger while I'm at it too. I got a good deal on it as the previous owner was recovering from cancer and going through foreclosure and didn't have the money to fix it. She was happy to see the car go into Jag enthusiasts hands I promissed to take her for a ride once I fix it all up.

Are the headbolts reusable or are they torque to yield?

 

TTY. In theory resusable once. The manual says
that dealerships are supposed to punch the bolt
head if they have been reused so that they are
discarded the next time around.

 

Do the Lincoln Ls bolts/gaskets work?

 

The LS bolts do (used them a couple times) I do not think the head gaskets will tho- I don't recall why, but I used the later Jaguar ones.