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I designed and fabricated a 1930's style race car and I want to install a Jaguar XK engine. I don't have any experience with Jaguar engines or transmissions so I'll need help from the experts out there.
Here's a list of my questions:
What year did they stop using carburetors?
Are the XK engines basically the same except for emissions equipment (block, heads, cam, etc.)?
Can you remove all of the factory emission's equipment and convert it to a non-emission engine?
Is there a way to adapt a Borg Warner T5 manual transmission?
Are there any intakes that will accept Weber carburetors?
Is it practical to attempt to convert a later model emission equipped engine to a basic carbureted type setup?
If anyone is interested here's a link to a short video of my build-
the 4.2 liter XK engine was used from the 1960's until 1987. From 1987 to 1992 it was the 12-cylinder.
Started being uaed in the Jaguar XK / E-type, then the Jaguar 420 and other models with carburetors. Your build looks great, where is the shop located? Yes, there are manual transmission adapters being sold.
the 4.2 liter XK engine was used from the 1960's until 1987. From 1987 to 1992 it was the 12-cylinder.
Started being used in the Jaguar XK / E-type, then the Jaguar 420 and other models with carburetors. Your build looks great, where is the shop located? Yes, there are manual transmission adapters being sold.
I appreciate the compliment, it's my first ground-up build. The car is not very complex, had to keep it simple if there was going to be a chance at completing it.
It was built in my 2 car garage located in Tulsa, OK, would be great to have a shop.
I designed and fabricated a 1930's style race car and I want to install a Jaguar XJ6 engine. I don't have any experience with Jaguar engines or transmissions so I'll need help from the experts out there.
Here's a list of my questions:
The XJ6 engine was used from 1968-1992, correct?
What I'm sure you're thinking of is known as the "XK" engine, used from 1948 to 1987 in regular production models and for several years after in limousines and military vehicles. It was replaced by the "AJ" family of 6-cylinder engines
What year did they stop using carburetors?
For the USA-market cars, 1978.
Are the XJ6 engines basically the same except for emissions equipment (block, heads, cam, etc.)?
Yes.....basically. In this respect it's akin to the famous "small block Chevy" V8. There's a large degree of sameness and interchangeability to the major components...but not everything can be mixed-and-matched
Can you remove all of the factory emission's equipment and convert it to a non-emission engine?
Yes. But there's very little to remove anyway
Is there a way to adapt a Borg Warner T5 manual transmission?
Yes
Are there any intakes that will except Weber carburetors?
Yes
Is it practical to attempt to convert a later model emission equipped engine to a basic carbureted type setup?
Just a quick note to advise of the block cracking problem that affected '7L' and '8L' blocks that you need to be aware of. From about the mid-70s to the early 80s, this syndrome affected the engines. After, (I think), about 1982 or 1983, the block was changed to the 'slotted' block version that cured the cracking. Of course if you are going to strip the engine and rebuild it, a cracked block can be fixed using lipped liners, but it is a machine-shop job by experienced engine repair shops, and fairly expensive.
What year did they stop using carburetors?
after 1977 I think.
Are the XK engines basically the same except for emissions equipment (block, heads, cam, etc.)?
yes, the block was revised because it was causing an issue at the two center cylinders. So you want the later block.
Can you remove all of the factory emission's equipment and convert it to a non-emission engine?
yes, there is not that much equipment anyway. But the fuel injection system might cause problems.
Is there a way to adapt a Borg Warner T5 manual transmission?
yes, there is a business that manufactures adapters and bell housings for T5. Super expensive.
Are there any intakes that will except accept Weber carburetors?
not sure but I think yes.
Is it practical to attempt to convert a later model emission equipped engine to a basic carbureted type setup?
the 4.2 yes, don't know about later 1988-on engines. With a 4.2 liter, you would need a different intake manifold for carbs.
Is it still possible to find a running engine that could be used without a rebuild? This car is only driven a few times a year, don't need a perfect engine just one that's not knocking or smoking.
Jay
Here is link to my upgrade of a two carb 1968 XKE 4.2L engine, to a 3 carb project on a budget.
(Also was working on T-5 conversion for 3.8L engine)
This will highlight some of the issues with the whole intake system and exhaust that need to be considered to get to 1967 " pre-smog" performance levels without busting a budget as a daily driver.
Great project you are undertaking, many on the forum willing to help with ideas and resources.
Rgds
David
Just a quick note to advise of the block cracking problem that affected '7L' and '8L' blocks that you need to be aware of. From about the mid-70s to the early 80s, this syndrome affected the engines. After, (I think), about 1982 or 1983, the block was changed to the 'slotted' block version that cured the cracking. Of course if you are going to strip the engine and rebuild it, a cracked block can be fixed using lipped liners, but it is a machine-shop job by experienced engine repair shops, and fairly expensive.
That's definitely something to watch out for.
I've been a big fan of Jaguars since I was a kid, but never had a chance to own one. It would be great to find a used engine to install in my car.
My car is not that valuable cannot justify spending thousands for an early 1960's version, it will have to be a later model.
An '85 engine will have the slotted block, so no block cracking. However, head gaskets still failed around 80-90k miles, but it is a simple job to replace them.
I would certainly advise that even if you don't rebuild an engine, that you check its providence, and at least check it over. Whether you need to take the head off is up to you.
The intake manifolds for Weber's are quite expensive new and on the rare occasions they turn up secondhand. It might not look vintage, but the injection system from the 1979 to 86 cars might be the most economical route. Even lower cost would be an AJ6/16 engine from a post series (1986 on) XJ40 or X300 XJ6.
An '85 engine will have the slotted block, so no block cracking. However, head gaskets still failed around 80-90k miles, but it is a simple job to replace them.
I would certainly advise that even if you don't rebuild an engine, that you check its providence, and at least check it over. Whether you need to take the head off is up to you.
If I can't see and hear an engine run there's no way I'll purchase it, they are too expensive to rebuild for a project like mine.
I'm spoiled by the basic Small Block Chevy engine, if you don't overheat them or run them low on oil they're almost bullet proof and inexpensive.
Most in-line engines have the Intake and Exhaust on the same side, cheaper to manufacture. The early XK engines are a work of art to look at, later models with the black squared-off valve/cam cover not as much. I could run the exhaust out the side of the hood and down the length of the body more period correct. I don't have access to a louver punch press that's why the fake exhaust ports, got to get the heat out engine compartment.
There is a 1989 XJ6 for sale locally for 2150.00
It has 138,635 miles, is that a lot of miles for a properly maintained engine?
No, not really.
But an '89 XJ6 will have the later "AJ6" engine. The AJ6 is a great engine but I think you're after the "XK" type engine. The last Jaguars using it were the 1987 Series III XJ6s
Information about XK engines
