Update:
As of today Thursday the 27th of June the engine is sitting on the ground and I think is a now Long Block as I have removed all the accessories. Pictures following. My question at the moment is What is the best gasket set I should get to put my engine back together with.

dirty, nasty,

pressure wash tomorrow

 

Ken,

I've copied the latest post from your Intro thread to a new thread in X308 forum. Now you have got to the engine removed stage, this is the place to post technical questions.

Graham

 

As you only want to do this once, don't compromise the work and fit OEM parts
like the show aircraft investigations, a bolt or part say for the steering will be of utmost importance, especially if the aftermarket break's
regards Dutchy

 

Still Waiting for my engine..... Friday is the day now, haven't taken any pictures, been busy having Great Grandson, Elijah, 7lb.1oz. yesterday morning. I will upload a pict soon.

 

With the motor out, now would be the time to do the subframe bushings. They are gone on my 42K mile car.

 

I'm very pleased with the engine I received this morning. Check it out.

 

Wow. That looks nice. Who did the rebuild?

 

Hi AJ16er,
It was Sharper Edge Engines out of CA.
It's so pretty it's scary. Makes you wonder how far they went for 3200.00
I am very pleased though, started attaching the other parts last night and I can,t find anything so far that isn't carefully put together.
I was wondering if anybody knew where torque values could be found so I could make sure I have everything torqued properly.

 

If you will send me a private message with your email I can send a link to my drop box that has the X308 Tech Manual in PDF and you can download it.

 

beautiful !,don't reinstall,make a coffee table out of it

 

First is that the old engine rebuilt
and when you pull or have pulled the old engine out did you take the box with it?
2nd what size is it a 4.0L?

 

No it's one I bought from CA rebuilt.
It's a 4.0L
The box? The Tranny? I just needed the engine as I was starting to have some other minor problems. I just thought It would be better to just upgrade with a newer engine.
The new engine had 60,000 before it was rebuilt, my engine had around 98,000.
The new engine has all new timing rails everything has been updated to metal no more plastic.
I did though break a one way valve on the heater hose assembly when I was installing the engine.... so I had to order a new one from Jaguar, only because they are back-order every where else I looked.

 

Well it's been an interesting rebuild. I finally finished the engine. Topped off the fluids and will start her Saturday. Have to go on a service call tomorrow so it will be good for everything to seep into the crannies ,
but here are some picts.

 

Looking good................best wishes for an easy and successful start.

 

Hi, brand new here. Just bought an ‘03 XJ8 that needs at least the engine replaced and interested in your tech manual please. Can’t quite figure out how to send you a message. Also any other advice is greatly appreciated!

 

Update:
Thanks to all those who posted thoughts, hints, wisdom and how to's. I turned the key counted to 10 and hit start. It cranked coughed and started! Died..... Held my breath, hit start and she caught
ran up to about 1800 rpm then settled down to dial reading of 1000-1100. Temp at 195 degrees according to OBT 11 reader. All my fluids levels checked out right, now just look for leaks. Had
her on the Expressway 80mph just purrin.

 

Congratulations. Well done!!!

 

Good Job smooth and easily done
how was it bolting up the bell housing to the engine?

 

Oohh for a 4 wheel lift. When I was a transmission mechanic for Tom Benson Chevrolet those were transmission bolt up days, any way
I have this 3/8 battery powered impact gun that helped tremendously. I don't think they wanted it to fall out for sure. Ha Ha.
Worst part for sure is if I haft to change out o2 sensors in the future.

 

Don't know about Ken's experience, but its actually one of the easier cars to do this way. Some are so hard you might as well pull the tranny with the motor, but there's plenty of room to work around the bell housing in the XJ8. Remember this body was originally designed to accommodate a v12. Just jack the tranny up a couple inches and support it as you lift the motor off the mounts so that it will clear the power steering rack as you pull it forward. Reinstall in reverse. Have to loosen the exhaust to be able to pull a couple of the bell housing bolts and a bit figity working around the tranny cooler and a/c tube brackets. But overall, this engine's pretty easy to r&r leaving the tranny in place. Heck, I didn't even take the hood off. I took the passenger side wheel off and shoved the hoist in from the side. I could gripe about some other things the engineers didn't allow room to work on, but r&r'ing the engine was a breeze.