These are the tools I used and they worked fine for me (and Stevis05). You need both of these tools !

Crankshaft Pulley Removal Tool for Jaguar Land Rover V8 Engine 3.2 3.4 4.2 4.4L

https://www.walmart.com/ip/CNCEST-3-...erId=101064624

Engine Timing Tool Kit Set for Jaguar/Land Rover 3.0 3.5 4.0 & 4.2 V8 Engine


Google around and you will see those exact tools listed on Amazon and Ebay at really silly prices.

 

Is it necessary to change the timing components on the 4.2? Are they likely to show signs of cracking like on the 4.0 engine?

 

The same kit is available from a number of sellers on eBay. Here's one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/29528197295...3ABFBMsIKPudti
Just do the search on the eBay site, it'll pop up. And as others have mentioned, you'll also need the timing tool kit. Here's one for $42:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/30504051395...Bk9SR6KdrLnbYg

 

The 4.2 uses the same chain guide / tensioner setup and is subject to the same stresses. While the 4.2 will have the later metal tensioners which are less prone to failure I would keep an eye on chain guides. The easiest way to check is to periodically drop your oil pan and look for chain guide fragments - if you see anything then it's time to think about an overhaul, before those fragments start blocking your oil pickup, once the guides start to fail they fail fast.

Dropping the oil pan is trivial, a new gasket is cheap and requires no special tools other than an inch / pounds torque wrench (an XK8 maintenance must have).

 

A note for all when using the crank lock and vibration damper puller tools.

Be careful when tightening the bolts into the vibration damper to ensure you don't damage the front timing cover. I used a thin piece of paper slid behind the damper to feel for the bolts if they emerged from the back of the damper and ensure they didn't contact the timing cover and damage it - because I'm distrustful of stuff.

The bolts on my crank tool were about 1/8" too long. So be wary, the front timing cover is thin alloy and you won't know that you are driving a hole through it while pulling in or out that big lump of metal.