How to disassemble, refurbish and rebuild classic car engines, TR2 TR3 TR4 Rear crankshaft oil seal conversion kit.

Was thinking of buying this, any feedback on how good/useful it is?

youtube preview

I've never used a DVD, they didn't exist when I was rebuilding my last XK engine. A quick look at the sample shows the chap stripping the engine clearly has done the job before, probably many times. It's interesting to see how the Jaguar design engineers thought about head removal and its complications for a DOHC design, hence the lovely little lugs to hold the cam sprockets whilst the head is removed. Of course in the 40s heads came off more frequently than they do now, and DOHC engines were rare. Jaguar also only used 5/16" lift cams on earlier engines to avoid mechanics turning a camshaft and clashing with the valves on the other cam. Later, of course, when experience had built up, the valve openings were made larger.

The engine is a pre-long stud engine so there isn't a row of core plugs along each side of the block. It may be a 3.4 or maybe an early 4.2.

I may buy one, you can't have enough books and ref materials imo, slightly less chance of screwing it all up...

Be interested to know if anyone has seen it though...

I haven't watched it but converting to U.S. dollars shipped it would only cost like $52. I am not an engine re-builder but hell I might just buy it because that stuff is interesting to me.

I say it's a buy and even if you pick up 1 tip it might be worth it becasue... "You dont know what you dont know"

Internet forums and YouTube videos are a great resource but you can't beat the cohesive presentation of a focused expert. There's a lot of nuance with these endeavors and often that come through the video of an experienced expert.

I ordered one - agree it's insurance even if you only learn one or two things, you can't know enough. I've accumulated enough dead straight six engines to rebuild I thought I'd practice on a couple using the pile of parts I've also accumulated. Building an engine test stand to test the Frankenstein monsters...

If you aren't familiar with the process, there are likely very good free videos on youtube, even if just for something like a SBC.

It is pretty much the same deal on any engine. A video specific to an engine may only really be useful for tips and tricks. If this is your first time, maybe something specific to the XK will be helpful to you, even if just for confidence.

I bought Dr. Doolin's DVD on the 1800 series MG engine and honestly don't feel like I learned a thing from it lol. Like most stuff on cars, if you've seen it once you have seen it all, or at least can figure out how something new to you works.