Good morning everyone I recently purchased a 99 XK8 with a bad engine. My question is about engine compatibility. I bought an AJ26 for a customer about 2 years ago that he backed out on and after doing some research it looks like i can use the 26 block with all of the 27 components. I know i have to replace both cylinder heads with cams, front timing cover, oil pump and sump, flexplate(some modification required with the mounting holes?) harmonic balancer, intake, throttle body and all sensors and switches. Basically I will just be using the bare short block. Am I missing anything and can anyone that has done the swap comment on it. I obviously want to use it because i have already paid for it so its essentially free at this point. Thanks in advance for any replys

 

anyone?

 

Besides the vvt units, you have covered it all as far as I can see, but the sump and harmonic balancer are the same between the engine types. I also don''t think you need to change the heads, but am not so familiar with the NA engines to be honest.

 

The right head does not have a CMPS and the intake cam does not have the reluctor. (needs to be swapped)

The left intake cam needs to be swapped with the correct 4 lobe reluctor and the valve lash reset. (head can stay)

If setting the valve lash seems difficult because of the shim selection and time needed then swapping the head may be more expedient. (bolts and gaskets)

Oil pumps are the same on the early engines. (only changed with the silent running chains)

Lower engine sump with the 2 holes (oil sensor/switch) should be swapped. (AJ26 only has oil pressure switch, no oil temp.)

Torque converter drive plates will swap with NO MODIFICATION.

Swap the entire intake system. The knock sensors might be different and mounted differently (bolt or stud).

Different CKPS wire harness but the sensors are electrically the same.

I have done this but it has been a long time ago (10 years??).

bob gauff

 

Thanks for the replys. I would normally just get an engine but since i have one sitting here already i thought it would be a good money saver. I figured just to be safe i would just transfer everything over and just use the aj26 short block. Ill just take everything off of the aj27 so there are no surprises. Im in the process of taking a job as the instructor for the local vo tech and will be making my shop part time so now i just have to find time to do it. Thanks again

 

How did this swap go for you? I have the same thing now, a 99 xj8 donor engine to out into a 2001 xj8. Was it pretty 'easy'? Any tips or tricks you want to add?

 

I have also done this. Just as above- nothing special, just swap out the parts as listed.