So after the overheating incident, turns out my cylinder heads got warped 20/1000", the shop that recommended the $750 tear down assuming this would not be the case STRONGLY recommends a new engine which would be at least $2000 for the engine and $1500 for labor which I can't afford and there are risks associated with that too.

Is there any way to investigate for cracks in the block with the heads off? I reckon a new head with a cracked or warped block would be a big fail. On the up side the valves did not drop.

Also, would XJ8 head(s) such as this work?

Jaguar XJ8 98 03 Vanden Plas Right Passenger Cylinder Head XR83 6C064 AE | eBay

 

You want two heads from an AJ 27 motor (2000-2003 to be sure). Any XJ8 or XK8 set will do. There is a place on ebay in socal that dismantles, usually a decent price- Land auto I recall.

 

Any more advice? I've listed my poor jag for sale at this point for 2k: https://post.craigslist.org/manage/4199778928