Finally completed a compression test and only have 2 cylinders over 110 psi. Wet test doubled the 40 and 50 lb cyl, so my guess is the dreaded nikasil issue. Next step is to decide about replacement. I plan to tear this one down to confirm my suspicions but there are too many low cylinders.
I never cheered a compression guage for more but I was hoping for better. Plunking down 900 to1300 for a used engine isn't thrilling but 2k+ for a reman is not either.
Not knowing the condition of the trans is a factor too. Good thing is that all accessories work.
Other coming expenses are top, brakes and possibly paint.
Looks like my first drive will be further down the road.

 

Is the vehicle running, or did you just acquire it after it was unused for some time?

What is the condition of the oil?

Does the engine have the correct valve timing? This can be checked by removing the cam covers and rotating the engine in a CLOCK direction, when viewed from the front, to see if the cam flats are aligned.

It's doubtful the Nikasil lining is the issue as that issue was solved many years ago. If cared for properly, the Nikasil blocks can outlast the later ones with steel sleeves.

 

Oil looks good. One cylinder was 185 psi with others on same bank much lower. I doubt it's cam timing. It sat for 2 yrs. before I picked it up.

 

You think it could be timing?

 

You may just need to free up the rings. Like NBCat asked, is the engine running?

 

No.
Owner's son had started removing coolant lines around throttle body and gave up.

I just loaded it on a trailer and brought it home.
I haven't worked on a Jaguar before but it's not terribly different from many other engines I've worked on, other than accessories.
The Stickeys are very good and I picked up alot quickly.
Since I have flushed the tank and fuel lines of old gas, I could hook everything back up and see if it will start.
The heater lines and others around the throttle body are disconnected. I haven't found a good source for the routing of these lines yet.
Carfax listed many repairs on this car such as fuel pump but timing chains aren't in the list, so I'm hesitant to try to start it unless recommended otherwise.
The prev owner was sure it was a head gasket. I don't know how he came to that diag.

 

Remove the cam covers before putting all the other parts on the engine and see if the cam timing is correct.

 

Also, check to see if the engine has the latest type of metal-bodied secondary tensioners.

 

Thanks, NBCat.
How do I check the timing?
Since it's cooled off, I 'm going to pull the cam covers.

 

Don't give up on compression numbers until after you've gotten the car running and have freed up the rings and gotten it hot. Those numbers will most likely come up...

 

Right cam cover pulled, tensioner on exhaust cam drive looks to be plastic. Not like the metal base in your pic.
Flats even on right.
Tomorrow I'll get the left
I'm glad the screws don't come completely out of the cover!
Lower rear is a bear and begs to be dropped.