Just did a oil change, running 20-50 Castrol as usual. drove all day no issues. tonight a loud tapping sound started up. sounds like its coming right out of the top of the engine. I would do a full search but I am down to one car right now and need this one for work Tues, most likely to miss at this point. Any info is greatly appreciated!

 

Most commonb reason is a "Tappet Bucket Guide" has loosened in the head, and is rising up, and the camshaft lobe clobbers it back down, and the noise is HORRIBLE.

Usually the exhaust side, but I have seen it on both sides.

NO simple fix. A "Stake Down Kit" is the only way to sort it properly and permenantly.

Lots of write ups on here about this very subject.

 

could be a tappet noise or it could be the timing chain adjuster(s) which have lost their vinyl guide(s).

the Chain Adjusters are at the front of the engine vertically behind the timing cover;

the tappets are on top of the engine in the cylinder head.

by now, most all these engines have had a "stakedown kit" fix done.

the way to check if your engine has been done is to remove the driver's side Valve Cover and look at the top of the cylinder head under the Cam to see if you have some bolted brackets installed. Does not have to be identical to the bracket shown in the picture below, there are other ways to do it, but the idea is to prevent the tappets from moving.

 

Well, opened it up today. it was definitely the tappet, cam follower which ever name is used as I have found it under both. seems to have exploded into tiny pieces, Been calling all the parts houses, but as I figured no one has it so ordering it from my trusted shop tomorrow and then begin the long and enjoyable job of getting the valve and clearing any and all debris from the the head.

 

ouch! vacuum the area before removing anything, you don't want any metal particles going inside.

hopefully you can make the repair without removing the head. Don't know if that will be possible.

try SNG Barrat's USA store for the parts,

SNG Barratt - The Ultimate Jaguar Parts Specialist

or you might get help at John's Cars in Dallas.

Jaguar conversions, swaps, parts, service and advice - from John's Cars in Dallas.

 

Got a huge wet dry vac ready, compressed air for the valve cover just to make sure, a magnetic pickup and now just trying to find a ride to parts house tomorrow, haha I was having to use it as my daily driver as my wifes car just blew a timing belt while she was driving. I have faced worse, I owned a Land Rover, LOL have that blow a head gasket in Kansas out in the middle of nowhere towing a trailer and you learn what trouble is.

 

best of luck getting those replaced.

 

Ugh, head work They don't come off easy.

 

That's the silver lining, I have a spare engine I can pickup from my parts guy over at my local Jag shop, been shopping there for 16 years and I can get low mile engines for about $800 which frees me up to take my time on this one. Maybe its time to find that nice Gold Head engine?

 

$800. ??

I have two 4.2 engines, one F.I., one with two carburetters, you can have them for $300.00 each. The cost of shipping them is another story.

 

I can remove my oil filler cap and see the tappet hold-down plate.