When was the 5.3 HE engine introduced? Date and/or Serial Number would be most helpful. TIA

 

Well it was introduced in the 1981 model year along with a revamp of the interior and exterior. The V12 badge on the trunk was changed to "HE" until '85 or '86 when it was changed back to V12. The car remained basically unchanged until 1989.

 

the Flathead cars are easy to spot via the blacked out bumper blades where the HE had chrome.

 

EcbJag, M90power, thank you very much.

"Well it was introduced in the 1981 model year along with a revamp of the interior and exterior."

Does that mean all xjs 5.3's after 1981 have the HE engine?

 

Yes

Cheers
DD

 

on a side note, if anyone has a flathead V12 laying around let me know.

 

M90power, check the Houston and Dallas Craigslist on a weekly basis. XJS engines pop up all the time for ~ $100. Next one pops up, I'm gonna snag for a coffee table.

 

i really want a V12 coffe table, but i cant bring myself to build a coffe table that i cant move by myself. lol

 

Weld some casters to it?

 

what if i decide i like it better upstairs? lol

 

Jaguar V 12 engine core for rebuild 5.3 liter | eBay

I think this is a flathead. That A/C condenser whatsit above the compressor was only on pre HE engines I'm pretty sure..

 

that is a flathead. the induction system is the easiest to tell because its a lot more chaotic. also you can tell by the spark plugs that point forward, where the HE plugs point towards the Vee.

 

Thank you very much good people.