hello
i bought a 1997 XK8 and the engine would turn over but would not start
after a compression test and removing valve covers I found that the left timming chain was broken the engine has lots of sludge build up.
I think the engine is done for !
I found a 2003 engine and was wondering if it would work? my s/n ends with C015457
I heard this will work if I swap over all the wiring and sensors.
I have been looking through the threads but I haven't found anything Can someone shead any light on this?
Thanks

 

I have been told that it can be done, but it is not for the faint of heart. There is nothing wrong with going with a 4.0L engine built up through 2002. With the engine out you can handle essentially all the known engine issues easily and it is much easier to install.

Good luck.

 

I would think that you would be much better off if you could find a early motor I think they are aj26s in all the 97s (no variable valve timing). I have one in my parts car that is nearly ready to come out if you were closer you could have for a couple of beer tokens (Well maybe more than a couple). For the later engines I think you're looking at a bunch of wiring issues and swapping computers, then getting the computers to all work together. Not impossible by any means but not exactly easy

 

My 97 engine has variable valve timing what differences would be with the 2003?

 

You really need a AJ26 Engine (1997-1998 XK8). The AJ27 Engine (1999-2002 XK8) has differences in the method of Variable Valve Control, ECM and a many other details.

 

The 1998 XJ8 engine is also a direct plug-in.

There are enough things different on the later engines to make the swap challenging if you don't know them all.

There are MANY posts on this topic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bob gauff

 

I have completed a similar task. My car is 1997 XK8 and I have put a 2003 engine into it. The main difference from what you are planning to do is that my new engine is the supercharged one. This makes the task easier as there is no need to deal with the VVT which is absent in the s/c engine. In your case this will be the biggest problem. But I think you could just leave the VVT solenoids disconnected. This will sacrifice some performance I guess and you will have 2 codes in the ECU regarding the open VVT circuit. But in my case the disconnected VVT solenoids did not cause any trouble lights (as your car is the same year, you may have no lights as well). Other things you will need to use from your old engine are:
-flexplate and crankshaft position sensor;
-LH camshaft timing ring and sensor
-engine wiring
-knock sensors (simply undo the studs from 2003 and screw the 1997 sensors in)
I may have forgotten something, but overall that's it...