I have finally carved out a little time to work on the car and have removed the engine ready for the rebuild, i had noticed quite a bit of corrosion on the surface of the block that surrounds some of the head studs, i know this will not affect the compression but it's pretty nasty all the same..

I will have to have it skimmed but there is no way that taking a few thousands off will remove all of the corrosion.

Does anyone have any advice on whether to keep using this block or find another?

Thanks

Russell

 

Easy one....new block. That one is done. It appears to have major corrosion from worn out coolant. That engine has lived a hard life due to infrequent coolant fluid changes. Even if you chose to deck the blocked the rest of the block you cant see likely has major corrosion too. Also, it's not a good idea to deck these block much because they are crack prone in that area.

 

As much as i was hoping for a simple solution i.e. keeping this block i had a feeling deep down that i knew it was probably going to be toast.

Thanks icsamerica

 

Yeah, what you see is bad enough, it is what you don't see that is even worse! The ice berg thing...


Ugh, 15 years ago, I had one for free. You are in my part of the world. The fire in the old mill circa 1984 was one of my projects....
Great town.


You can do better than that 'lost cause".


Lump? Or not your "cup of tea"!!


Carl,

 

Carl

I am going to look for another block , no point in putting this back into service as it's a ticking bomb as to when it will finally decide it's own fate.

I know Dave at Everyday XJ has a block but shipping is going to be serious, i have sent a quick note to Jag Heaven in Stockton to see what they have.

I'll keep my eyes open to see what i can find.

Definitely Lump......

 

you guys should see a block from the warm weather Florida Keys, when they fill cooling system with ocean Salt water!!

they dont need no antifreeze,never gets cold.

5-10yrs and the sides of a block can desinegrate

 

Despite all the recommendations in the Jaguar manuals, far too many people think that just because they live in a warm climate, they don't need to put any anti-freeze in the coolant. What they don't realise is the anti-freeze also has corrosion inhibitors added. Jaguar recommendation was 50% anti-freeze for the UK, and I believe for really hot places it was possible to just buy the corrosion inhibitors on their own, with no ethlylene glycol. Other thing not realised is that the addition of the anti-freeze raised the boiling point as well as reducing the freezing point.

 

I couldn't agree more. The benefits of correct coolant apply in all climate conditions. Extreme heat is more of a concern with our cars, and although we never need the anti-freezing qualities in coolant, the anti-boil benefits are essential. I'd never use anything other than full EG coolant in any of my cars, changed regularly.

 

Apropos a replacement block


If the deck is to be skimmed, make sure the front timing cover is bolted on and skimmed as well. This way you avoid the possibility of a lip that will prevent the head gasket from seating properly at the front of the engine. Jaguar always finished the deck with the timing cover on because the head gasket sits on the top of the timing cover as well as the block deck. That's why there are the small studs at the front of the engine.