Can I replace the engine in my 1997 coupe with an engine from a 1997 convertible or an engine from another year / model? I get the report on my engine from the mechanic on Monday and I'm planning for the worst and hoping for the best. I have no interest in doing the LS swap. Thanks for your help.

 

97 or 98 xk8 engine will work. Also an engine from a 98xj8. You want the AJ26.

 

Thanks for your help. He sent me some pictures but I don't know what I'm looking at in this one. Can you make sense of this picture?

 

Looks like an AJ26. The VVT solenoid is not in the cam cover.
Make sure the spark plugs are still installed. Looks like crap in the coil/spark plug hole. You don't want anything to fall into an open cylinder.

 

Hi,
Be aware that there were some changes for MY98:

"
Exhaust Camshafts

New exhaust camshafts are introduced to improve engine idle refinement. With the new camshafts, the exhaust valves close 10° earlier, eliminating valve overlap when the intake camshaft is in the retarded position. The exhaust valve lift is reduced to 8.4 mm (from 9 mm).


ECM

Software changes are introduced to support the revisions to the exhaust camshafts. On NAS vehicles, additional software changes are introduced to operate the leak check of the fuel tank and evaporative loss system. As a result, the 1998 ECM cannot be installed in a 1997 MY XK8
"
...so you would likely need the ECM from the donor or other 98 car. I'm not sure what any related EVAP changes would entail. Or, possibly, swop the exhaust cams.

 

Thanks for the input guys. Hopefully the mechanic has some good news for me.

 

That engine is almost DEFINITELY a 1997. The chrome cap on the thermostat housing is the 'dead-giveaway'. (it was only fitted to the first MY X100s)

Does it also have a chrome cruise control actuator on the throttle?

 

Sorry, I don't know. I can get the engine out of a 1997 convertible from a wrecker in Chilliwack for $1000.- + shipping but I take my chances in what I get. He says the donor car has 93,000 km and was written off due to rear end damage. Seems to cheap plus I would still need to have the old one removed and the new one installed after my mechanic checks it out.

 

Lots easier to replace the timing components with the engine out of the car.

 

Well sad news, the engine is shot. The mechanic says a wrist pin broke. I don't know what that is but it killed the engine so I am on the hunt for a rebuilt engine. The one in Chilliwack comes with no guarantee or warranty and rather than possibly go through this again in a year or two (or sooner) I'll get a rebuilt one. I have made a few requests for quotes but I haven't found anyone willing to ship to Canada. The mechanics shop is looking for me but if you folks know of any place that may have one please let me know.
Thanks,
Tom

 

Any one swopped the engine and transmission for something more sensible . When I had Range Rover I took out the 3.5 and replaced it with a 2.5 6 cylinder Triumph engine ..it was great.I think in the US you would have more choice of rear wheel drive motors than in the UK.
Watched a video on putting electric into XK yesterday.