Ok, so I'm having a few "issues" with my 4.2

I want to consider all realistic options but would appreciate your thoughts, opinions and comments.

Option 1 - stick with what I've got, fix it (possible head gasket failure) and resume usual daily service

Option 2 - change the engine and box for something else. I'm thinking either a 4.0 or 3.2 from the newer XJ ?

Option 3 - ?????

Question is, is option 2 a tried and tested, straightforward and worthwhile exercise or am I better to just stick with option 1 ?

If an engine and box swap is a contender, I assume I'd need a "kit" for this ? If so, who does the best kits and are there any proven companies in the UK that would do this for me as a turn key type of deal ?

Any thoughts and opinions welcomed.

PS, for the purists amongst us on here, my car isn't a concourse example so I'd be open to all realistic options

 

Although I'm not a fan is 6-bangers, and if Nix had one she would never have come to live with me, for the sake of simplicity, since you already have one and seem to be satisfied with it, perhaps you should just have it fixed.

If the shop can actually FIX your car, then you have what you started out with and you'll get it back in a more or less timely manner. And, you get to keep your temper, hair, humor, etc.
(';')

 

Mmmmm that does seem to make sense now you out it that way. I didn't want an S3 to be a V8 when I was looking for one.....

 

Six bangers can be fun. I've had a few. And my parents. 31 Hupmobile. Dad's idea, Mom not pleased. 38 Dodge took us through WWII.


First one of mine. 31 Studebaker Commander, a gangsta car. 41 Studebaker champion. slick but gutless. 37 Packard 110 Coupe. Cheap toy. Rough but ran really nice. 50 Chevrolet. Warm, depdenable and comfortable. First family car.


71 Hornet. AKA Rambler. Blew off more than a few SBC's!! 69 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser. Not bad on the freeway. Would climb a mountain. Present 94 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Great freeway vs off road. Tough.


Short term 83 Jaguar with 4.2 DOHC. Not all bad atall. Now better with LT1.


Carl .


Carl.

 

We had a shop here doing just that. He did quite a few.

He used the 3.6 and ZF 4HP22 transmission, which is the NON electrical 4 speed from the early XJ40.

They were good conversions, cost a few bucks though.

Not aware of a kit as such. It was not that hard, but it was time consuming. Wiring and ECU fitment took most of that time.

If you went with the 2 engines you mention, you will have an electronic transmission, and that requires ts own ECU, so more wiring etc.

My other issue is the future spare parts.

Such as:

Which radiator hoses are used, what heater hoses, etc etc. You MUST remember its an AJ6/16 engine, and simple items like spark plugs, air filter, are different from the XK engine the car came with.

5 years down the track, memory is fading, the car is only known as a S3, and UNLESS the knowledge has been well documented, havoc will reign supreme.

If YOU do the changeover, YOU know, but others will always leave out that all important item of information.

I would rebuild what you got, probably the same $$ at the end of the day.

 

I have an AJ6 4.0 liter engine in my series 1. I think the transplant was relatively easy, and definitely worth it.

Using XJS engine mounts, the AJ6 fits right in. You will only need to fabricate your gearbox mount.

I needed to make a fuel return, but if you have injection currently there is no need for that.

Wiring is quite simple. The looms are ordered logically. I had a complete donor car, cost 500 euro which was cheaper than repairing my old engine. By selling parts from the donor car, I even made money.

The AJ6 or 16 run so much smoother...! But you must have time. If not, you will most likely fail.

 

Cheer so everyone.

I've given it a lot of thought and think I'll stick with what I've got.

Onwards and upwards and looking forward to having confidence with my engine. Well, the top end at least..........