The 'E' Type Forum

Is this possible? Are there any differences?

Not thinking of inlet and exhaust and cam covers, I know these will have to be changed.

What about engine block (engine mounts) and sump?
Does the XJ have the correct amount of holes on the cylinder head?

How much should I pay for a complete engine with little history?

Thanks

Very common, been discussed many times. You'll need a different sump and pick-up unless you cut the 'ears' off the back, reducing oil volume. A bit of archive searching will reveal all, although your head holes question suggests you may need to do a fair bit of reading. You need to pay whatever the lowest price is that the seller will sell it for, or find another engine seller. Price, proximity & condition also vary, so you are asking a 'how long is a piece of string?' question. If you have no engine it's an option, otherwise rebuild what you have.

The XJ6 4.2 engine is identical in all important respects with that in E types from 1968 onwards i.e. it is the long stud block. ( S3 XJs also had the big valve head and stronger blocks ) .However, there are a number of substitutions which have to be made . The sump is completely different . It is desirable, although not absolutely essential to change the oil filter arrangements ( the XJ has a big drum type filter ) . The engine mounts are a straight bolt on change . One aspect which can cause difficulty is the front cover/water pump and front pulleys/crank damper. Depending on the specification of the XJ, these are often not the same as the E type , and whilst one can adapt, it results in messy pipework . Note, however, that using a non-E 4.2 in an E type ( as I have done ) will tend to devalue your car a bit ; furthermore, since Xjs are far more common with automatic transmission than with gearbox, you will have the expense of a flywheel

Also keep in mind that no one kept an old XJ6 running because it was the most beautiful car ever made. They kept it running because they thought it was a cheap classy motor. Think missed oil changes, basic servicing if any, wrong spare parts fitted. In other words don't just fit it, expect it needs a rebuild.

Thanks for your replies. I have now searched the site, and found more info, should've done that first I guess :)

I totally understand that this will lower the value of the car, but when you take into the equation that the original engine was dug down under a house in Northern Norway in the 80ies, I really don't have a choice......

The guy with the engine is asking GBP500. I guess that's alright no matter the condition. It will have to be rebuilt anyway.