The 'E' Type Forum

I have only very recently bought my E-type and have since found out that although it has the original "R" numbered head it has a Jaguar MK2 3.8 block. The number stamped on the block itself reads:- LE-3704-8.
It was replaced before the previous owner to myself bought the car over 20 years ago as he had no knowledge of this himself but was this an acceptable practice back then and I should imagine that this will have an impact on the car's value when I come to have it valued for insurance purposes.
Can anyone offer any advice or has any knowledge if other E-types have had a similar engine replacement carried out on their car please?
I am now a little concerned about this.

Thanks
Steve

Some people get very precious about lack of originality of this type , others could not give a damn . I am in the latter category. There is no functional difference between your block and one which had a R or RA prefix . Does it make a difference to value ? I suppose in theory it makes some difference, but compared with other aspects , particularly bodily condition, it is in my opinion trivial. When one considers that the JEC used to suggest that a left to right conversion resulted in a reduction of only 10% in value , the difference in a block is surely less important than that, which is a very obvious change and which usually was accompanied by functional changes in specification ( axle ratio particularly)

Steven, I'm in agreement with Christopher and reading your introduction post you say the car is none original with later all synchro box, upgraded callipers and vented discs and other items.
If someone is looking at buying your car several years down the line (if you ever do decide to sell), then they will have an impact on the value. Presumably you were aware of those changes when you bought the car and they didn't make you not buy.

I'd suggest you should emphasise enjoying owning and driving the car, not worrying about potential non-matching numbers. Smile per pound spent, well worth it

Keep driving and smiling

Geoff

For me, the question would be how was the car sold to you? If it was via a dealer and sold as "numbers matching" with a Heritage Certificate to back it then I would personally take it back to the dealer since you would have likely paid a premium for something that was not the case and you could not yourself sell the car as such further down the line. If it was not sold as numbers matching then I concur with the others.

There were many variants of the blocks over time as developments were made to the water cooling. If the manufacturing date of the block is close to your car then at least you know it is "period" to your car. The date is cast into the block on the bottom back left side above the sump.

Apologies for coming into this post a bit late. I had, until April this year, a1962 S1 FHC with the original head, and a 3.8 mk2 block. The engine was rebuilt installing larger valves and blue printed. It pushed out 375bhp at the fly. The only problems we encountered was a different more heavy duty flange at the bottom casting. You will find that if you are upgrading things like dynamo to alternator, or a specific exhaust system for a S1 it will need modifying. Not difficult, but You must also bear in mind a few S1 E’s had their blocks changed in period. Some of the original castings were weak and so fitting a Mk 2 block was considered the way to go because it was stronger. When I sold my car to Eagle in part ex for a V12, I think the value suffered by about 10% to 15%. That is one reason why Eagle have not sold my old car retail in their showroom. However, As others have said, just enjoy your car.....and be thankful it has a stronger block!