Engine and gearbox swap

Talk about the E-Type Series 1
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dale bowman
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#1 Engine and gearbox swap

Post by dale bowman » Tue Nov 27, 2018 8:25 pm

I have a 1964 3.8 fhc that has, in the past, been fitted with a 4.2 and all synchro box. I'm seriously thinking of fitting a 3.8 RAxxxx and Moss box.

Do people tend to feel that this is a good move both from a drivability and increase in value points of view.
1964 series 1 3.8 fhc

There are three types of people in this world.
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cactusman
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#2 Re: Engine and gearbox swap

Post by cactusman » Tue Nov 27, 2018 10:34 pm

Having driven a 3.8 with a moss box I would have to say that the later jag box is a distinct improvement. Fitting a moss box won't improve driveability. My 3.8 has a later box and my moss box adorns the garage :bigrin: As to value....unless you have the original box that came with the car new...matching numbers and that jazz....I can't see a moss box enhancing value much either...just my opinion...
Julian the E-type man
1962 FHC
1966 MGB....fab little car too

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abowie
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#3 Re: Engine and gearbox swap

Post by abowie » Tue Nov 27, 2018 11:10 pm

Before you make changes see if you can go for a drive in a 3.8 with Moss box. Both the engine and gearbox are quite different from the 4.2.
Andrew.
881824, 1E21538. 889457. 1961 4.3l Mk2. 1975 XJS. 1962 MGB
http://www.projectetype.com/index.php/the-blog.html
Adelaide, Australia

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dale bowman
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#4 Re: Engine and gearbox swap

Post by dale bowman » Wed Nov 28, 2018 8:10 am

So it would be much better to install a 3.8 RAxxx engine but keep with the all synchro box as they're a much better drive?
1964 series 1 3.8 fhc

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phil.dobson@mac.com
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#5 Re: Engine and gearbox swap

Post by phil.dobson@mac.com » Wed Nov 28, 2018 8:39 am

I have a 3.8 and swapped to a later box. I love it.
In my opinion changing the 3.8 to 4.2 wont change much if anything. It all depends on what you are trying to achieve. As a matter of interest what cylinder head and inlet manifold combination is currently fitted and also the brake system (bellows or remote servo) ?
If you want to return the car to as near orig as possible firstly buy the Eype originality book and look at the extent of what you might want.

An alternative approach is to collect all the orig components and either make the decision later or when it come time to sell offer it with the bits.
As I said just My opinion.

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dale bowman
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#6 Re: Engine and gearbox swap

Post by dale bowman » Wed Nov 28, 2018 8:47 am

phil.dobson@mac.com wrote:
Wed Nov 28, 2018 8:39 am
I have a 3.8 and swapped to a later box. I love it.
In my opinion changing the 3.8 to 4.2 wont change much if anything. It all depends on what you are trying to achieve. As a matter of interest what cylinder head and inlet manifold combination is currently fitted and also the brake system (bellows or remote servo) ?
If you want to return the car to as near orig as possible firstly buy the Eype originality book and look at the extent of what you might want.

An alternative approach is to collect all the orig components and either make the decision later or when it come time to sell offer it with the bits.
As I said just My opinion.
Hi Phil,
I'll be swapping the current 4.2 (8xxxx series engine .... not sure what it's out of) back to a 3.8 RAxxx. I've no idea on the cylinder head / inlet manifold it has at the moment but it has the bellows servo.
Cheers D
1964 series 1 3.8 fhc

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malcolm
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#7 Re: Engine and gearbox swap

Post by malcolm » Wed Nov 28, 2018 9:37 am

As suggested above, swapping a synchro box for a moss won't improve driveability - quite the opposite from what I understand. Similarly, I can't imagine that swapping the increased-torque 4.2 for a 3.8 would aid driving. As to value, I have no idea. However, whereas the originality of matching numbers helps value, can't see that a wrong-number 3.8 would be any better than a wrong-engine 4.2. Just my views, not based on any experience!
Malcolm
I only fit in a 2+2, so got one!
1969 Series 2 2+2
2009 Jaguar XF-S
2015 F Type V6 S

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christopher storey
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#8 Re: Engine and gearbox swap

Post by christopher storey » Wed Nov 28, 2018 11:55 am

I would not dissuade you from reverting to a 3.8 engine, which is less torquey but more revvable than the 4.2 , but I would be strongly against changing the ( presumably EJ ) box , which was fitted to quite a number of 3.8 Es from late 1963 onwards . However, even on the engine change , you might find yourself in all sorts of mismatch problems between flywheel, starter, bellhousing etc - ask me how I know !!

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Philk
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#9 Re: Engine and gearbox swap

Post by Philk » Wed Nov 28, 2018 2:19 pm

I think there are a few different things in play here. The question of values was raised. Whatever combination of engine/gearboxes are put into the car it will not be matching numbers to the factory so any value uplift would be based simply on the question of whether a 3.8 E-Type is worth more with a 3.8 engine in it or a 4.2? The same question is then present for the gearbox. The latter is a more common deviation from standard spec (although many people keep their original gearbox so the car is still "original"). IMHO I would have thought a 3.8 with a 3.8 engine is worth more than having a 4.2 although any "uplift" would need to be weighed against the cost of doing it.

Turning to the Moss gearbox, I would definitely vouch for its character being different. It takes you back to a different driving style from an earlier era which is why I actually like it in my 3.8 (in a perfect world, I would have my 3.8 OTS and a 4.2 FHC!). There is then the question of whether the differential ratios are adjusted to go with the gearbox (which many people do given the large difference in final drive between the US and European variants).
Phil
1964 S1 3.8 OTS

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