This is the condition of the car when i pulled the valve covers off to change the gaskets...
Engine was misfiring in 1-4 due to oil in plug wells...
Deff upper one need changed!!!
Should i take a hit and change the whole front including the pump, housing and thermo???

 

A lot of peeps will tell you to just change the secondary tensioners because, "I/we've never heard of engine damage resulting from primary chain failure." To each their own. I would never do half of a repair on my own car, I wouldn't want to take of on a trip and be wondering if I was going to make it back. I would never do half of a repair on a customer's car because I just know it will eventually bite me in the butt.

I pulled my covers this weekend because I've come to find that all the work the P.O. told me he had done was less than half-assed at best. Sure enough, the secondary tensioners had been replaced but I can't see a bit of plastic remaining on any of the primary guides. The chains don't appear to have suffered much, just a little polishing of the links. I never hear any noise either but there is no way I'm going to leave the work undone. And yes, I'll also be removing the oil pan as well to retrieve as much of the broken bits as possible.

What I'm trying to say is yes, it is a little more work and a little more expense but you won't have that niggling little doubt pestering you every time you turn the key or leave town. Sitting on the side of the road, waiting for a tow truck, thinking about how much it's going to cost to fix... $5 grand? $6 grand? $7 grand? Hoping your wife isn't about to have a melt-down and begin crabbing about the car... yeah, it's all good. ;-)

 

Easy decision... Keeping the car..Looks like a complete front end job for me, since i bought the R for a reason, luv to push it.. Deff dont want to deal with any issues down the road..
Now i just need to find all the right parts... and TIME...


Any suggestions regarding parts or tips on the project are highly appreciated...

 

Not necessarily the cheapest...but a nice kit of what you need:
Continental Imports Mail Order

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...etc-faq-45579/

Jag-lovers - Jaguar World Monthly articles reproduced with permission

 

Check prices here, also: FORD PARTS & FORD ACCESSORIES || Your Online Source for Genuine "Ford Parts" & "Ford Accessories"

 

As I'm going through right now - don't forget to pull your oil pan and fish out all the broken down plastic pieces (need new oil pan gasket, bolt and o ring). I'm curious what I will find in mine...

 

Your not the only one!