Here is a quick history of two cars, Both started out from Browns lane factory as Series 1 XJ6 autos in regency red with biscuit interior. The first car stayed on the road until around 2003, when most likely advancing corrosion meant she could no longer pass annual roadworthy. This car was then bought by a collector and taken to a field filled with other cars for company. Unfortunately this field was high above the sea and subject to easterly breezes bringing salt air. Many years later the collector, having done nothing with his field of cars died. His cars were then sold at auction. The now very rusty XJ6 attracted the attention of an enthusiast. But so bad was the rust, he was unsure whether the car would fall apart when trying to move it. He was only prepared to pay $50 so a Hot Rodder bought the car for $150. The enthusiast spoke to the Hot Rodder and asked what he wanted the car for - just the front and rear suspension was the reply. So our enthusiast negotiated salvage for the remainder.
Our second car did not suffer the same fate and was bought when only 10 years old, and has remained in a nice dry garage ever since. The enthusiast now has a jumble of trim parts (some already removed) and the two cars met for the first time today.

 

Is "collector" the right word to use ? We see so many cars bought that are then essentially abandoned. I would use the word "hoarder", as collectors usually to take care of their purchases.

 

Absolutely correct Fraser. Hoarder is the right term. There were about 10 jags in this auction - all parts only cars due to rust. I realised after the auction that the best buy was a late series 3 sovereign V12 with pepperpots - went for $300, but the parts would have to be worth three times that.
here is the engine of the first XJ6. I am having this to see if I can rebuild it. Long shot I know as it will have cracked bores or rotten studs.

 

I like the valve covers that have the "cast-in" "Jaguar" logo instead of my S3 covers with decals. Anyone know it these covers are interchangeable? For that matter, What about the early polished aluminium ones?

 

as far as I know the valve/cam covers are interchangeable. I will know soon since I am installing a 1983 4.2 liter in my 1965 3.8 'S' type and I plan to use the polished aluminum cam covers of the 3.8 on the 4.2.

I do know the cam cover gaskets for the aluminum covers have different part numbers and cost more, but if the studs align, I can use the 4.2 payen paper gasket which is cheaper. they both have the 'half moon' rubber seal at the rear.

 

Hey Jose, how come you are installing an '80s polution controlled engine in the 65 S-type? Even though the displacement of the later engine is greater I would think the pre-smog controls carburetor engine would be much pepper and easier to maintain.

Jeff

 

Hi, they will interchange as far as bolt pattern is concerned the problem is the S1 XJ6 (and earlier non-ribbed) cam covers have half moon shaped cutouts in the back to accommodate a plug. This is leftover from earlier cars that had a tach generator.

You can use them but need to modify the early cover for use with the S3 head and half moon seal. Not complicated for a good welder. You basically just need to close the hole in the back of the cam cover.

I have a pic of my S1 XJ6 with S3 head and modified S1 cam cover. Will post if I can find it.

 

Hi Jeff,
I will be removing the intake manifold and carbs from the 3.8 and mounting them in the 4.2.

the exhaust manifolds and gaskets are the same in both engines, so the exhaust side is no brainer.

if I encounter any problem it will be at the intake side but the mechanic who is advising me already did it in his MK-2. He tells me the car will be very quick with lots of torque.

all the fuel injection intake stuff has already been removed.

 

rustfreemike:

the ribbed cam covers of the 1983 4.2 engine I am preparing have the same half moon rubber seals on the rear side as the aluminum covers in the 1965 3.8 engine that I am replacing with the 4.2

Are you saying the half moon seals are a different size? I guess I need to remove a cam cover from each engine and test them.

 

And Jose does not have the Smog dilemma to fight!!!


Plaus to ay tha look it is the same as it was with the old engine, it is inside that the size is up.

Great swap.
Carl

 

that's what Monty the mechanic says, Carl. It is after all the same engine block, just over-bored. it will fall in place just like the 3.8 liter.

 

Hi Jose, your 3.8 has half moon seals? that's unusual - are you sure the head is original?

Below is a comparison of the S1 XJ6 cam covers. This is also how the earlier non-ribbed versions look. So basically to use S1 covers on a S3 head you need to close the holes in the back and provide a flat surface for the gasket to seal. S3 XJ6 uses only half moon seals that fit into the head cutout.

 

Mike, yes.aluminum cam covers and half moon cutouts. Yes the cylinder head is as far as I know, the original. I will get some pictures when I remove the covers.

 

Hi Jose! I take it your 3.8 has a straight port head?

 

Hi, as far as I know the cylinder head is the B type, 9:1 compression, not straight port.

 

You will need to put an inlet manifold on your shopping list!

 

I have both a 3.8 and 4.2 intake manifolds, but the 4.2 intake manifold is fuel injection, not carburetters.
the plan is to transplant the 3.8 carbs and intake manifold to the 4.2 head.

 

Jose, You need a straight port inlet manifold, A 'B' type inlet will not match, The best bet is a 420 inlet manifold with 2" SU's or you can use an XJ Series 1 or 2 inlet manifold, I am doing the 4.2 Big valve mod on my MK2 and i've sourced a 420 inlet manifold, Also the S3 4.2 waterpump will foul the radiator, You can bolt on your 3.8 pump but it has a smaller impellor, Best way forward is to replace the 3.8 impellor with the 4.2 one which means stripping down both pumps and swapping the bit's over, Hope i'm not teaching you to suck eggs here Jose, Just trying to help mate, Cheers.

 

actually I appreciate the help, so keep it up. My "advisor" has not mentioned this issue, he says it is a straight swap.

Another issue is the tachometer, the 4.2 does not have a tach generator, so I have no clue.

I have the 4.2 water pump, the 3.8 water pump, and another 3.8 water pump spare. They use the same gasket but the ports are different. Another puzzle to solve.

 

It isn't a 'Straight' swap Jose, I've bought an S1 XJ6 tacho to hopefully sort that problem out, As for the waterpump ports give me a bit of time to look back into it, I just can't remember ATM Lol! At least you haven't got the oil filter problem being LHD!