Cam cover gaskets
 

Am after a bit of help please. I have taken the cam covers off to replace the gaskets but I have found the gaskets are black, but the spark plug gaskets are the figure of eight types. The gasket sets for sale are either the red/grey gaskets with the figure of eight spark plug gaskets or the black gaskets with the individual spark plug gasket rings. any idea which set to order?

If the figure 8 gaskets fit, you need the red/gray set for the AJ26. It would be helpful if you included the details of your car including the year.
RJ_______________
97 XK8 86K mi.

Sorry, it,s a 1999 model, but as I say the gaskets on the car are black, that is what is confusing as the spark plug gaskets on the car are from the red/grey set.

. . . and the year 1999 is a confusing year. The XK8 used the AJ27 engine and the XKR used the AJ26. In addition, there was some overlap in the 26/27 conversion as the British use the 'year of manufacturer' to define the model year while the US uses manufacturer designation for that determination.

If you have the AJ26 the VVT solenoid is out the front of the valve cover, the AJ27 has it through the top of the cover. If you have neither you have the XKR and an AJ26 engine.

The AJ27 gasket set is available at any auto parts store for a 2000 Lincoln LS for under $40. The AJ26 will have to be obtained from a Jaguar parts source for under $100.

See why we ask for the info in a post?

. . . and welcome to the forum!

My AJ27 Engine uses individual Spark Plug O-Ring Seals. I believe that the Figure 8 Style Spark Plug Seals denote an AJ26 Engine. The Gaskets for a AJ26 Engine can be supplied by a Jaguar Dealer.

Being in Lincolnshire, you don't have the same choice of parts suppliers as our US members. It's either Jaguar Dealer or one of the specialist independents such as British Parts UK or JustJags UK.

A Jaguar Dealer will supply the correct gaskets against the vehicle VIN and the independents list relevant engine number ranges in their online catalogues.

Graham

Thanks for the replies, this is still confusing me the car is an XK8, are the cam covers interchangable for these engines? The way I see it is the cover gaskets are the black type and the spark plug gaskets are the red/grey types. Could someone have fitted the wrong gaskets at sometime? Or can I buy half of one set and half of the other set, the independants sell either one set or the other, would Jaguar sell all the gaskets individually?

I tried the black gaskets on my AJ26 to see the difference. They were a very loose fit and would have leaked. If your black gaskets are tight in the slots you would not be able to fit the earlier type.
RJ___________
97 XK8 86K mi

The black gaskets are a tight fit so I guess they are correct, it's just the spark plug gaskets that are confusing.

Confusing is right. I've been following this forum for a couple of years, and
I constantly read new things that don't make sense.
RJ___________________
97 XK8 86K mi

The 26/27 cam covers are not interchangeable due to the aforementioned difference in the VVT valve.

Having spoken to an independant supplier this morning, he thinks that at some point someone has fitted the wrong black gaskets to the covers, and thinks the red/grey gaskets are the correct ones to fit. so I have ordered the red/grey set with the figure of eight spark plug gaskets.

For future reference, Jaguar Dealers in the UK have the gaskets listed separately.

Graham