just found out my 83 xj6 with od reading of 159888 actually has an 86 engine with 75000 on it .Wondering if this detracts from original model or better since the engine is newer.I want to keep this vehicle as orig as possible

 

Six of one, half dozen of another, IMHO.

Cheers
DD

 

IMHO you are better off with the newer engine, as it's guaranteed to have the slotted block that eliminated block cracking and subsequent head gasket failure. You also have a young engine so won't need to do much if any overhaul work for some time at least.

The XK engine carried on in production for some time after the Series 3 saloons ceased production in 1987, as it was used in an armoured car for the British Army. At some point these were replaced by something else and a load of spare XK engines became available to the "trade".

 

what a cool bit of information, Fraser! Love reading stuff like that!