Jaguar engine spares?
Discussion
I've got the XJ6 4.2 engine from the Austin hot rod spread out all over the garage.
I've also got the "good" replacement engine spread out in big expensive bits...
Anyone recommend a good supplier of engine spares - the prices I've found have differed massively with Rock Auto in the States being about the cheapest but with a limited range of bits. David Manners has a fair bit of the stuff I need but the bill is quickly adding up... I've done a lot of "Googling" over the past couple of days but what with all the sponsoring and "clever" links the internet is becoming a less and less useful resource (search "Jaguar engines" and get "The U.K.'s leading supplier of Subaru parts" or similar).
Just for interest I need valve guide seals, gaskets, valves.... and a few sundry bits and bobs like crank, cams, pistons and a block...
I think I shall probably end up with yet another engine, just trying to price up the cheapest options at the moment... and yes, I have seen the E Type motor on Rob Beere's site but it's four times as much as the car is worth!
I know these are not cheap engines to play with but coming from a background of old pushrod lumps the rate at which the costs add up is eyewatering...
I've also got the "good" replacement engine spread out in big expensive bits...
Anyone recommend a good supplier of engine spares - the prices I've found have differed massively with Rock Auto in the States being about the cheapest but with a limited range of bits. David Manners has a fair bit of the stuff I need but the bill is quickly adding up... I've done a lot of "Googling" over the past couple of days but what with all the sponsoring and "clever" links the internet is becoming a less and less useful resource (search "Jaguar engines" and get "The U.K.'s leading supplier of Subaru parts" or similar).
Just for interest I need valve guide seals, gaskets, valves.... and a few sundry bits and bobs like crank, cams, pistons and a block...
I think I shall probably end up with yet another engine, just trying to price up the cheapest options at the moment... and yes, I have seen the E Type motor on Rob Beere's site but it's four times as much as the car is worth!
I know these are not cheap engines to play with but coming from a background of old pushrod lumps the rate at which the costs add up is eyewatering...
In that case flea bay is probably your friend.
I bought a 4.2 engine from there a few years back for £50, I didn't really care what condition it was in as I was just intending to take it to bits to see how they work, in case I ever wanted to do anything to my XK's XK. When I stripped it down I down it was in amazingly good condition and must have come out of a very low mileage car (Sometimes tin worm is your friend).
I bought a 4.2 engine from there a few years back for £50, I didn't really care what condition it was in as I was just intending to take it to bits to see how they work, in case I ever wanted to do anything to my XK's XK. When I stripped it down I down it was in amazingly good condition and must have come out of a very low mileage car (Sometimes tin worm is your friend).
My low mileage replacement engine came from eBay and after examination has turned out to have a cracked block, a centre main bearing that has spun and taken the crank with it... and the head needs rebuilding... but the bores are good! I've mailed a lot of the sellers on eBay to see what they can come up with tho'...
The days of cheap, good nick XJ engines have gone I fear - much like most of the "classic" stuff cars long past their "sell by" are being restored/renovated meaning that rebuildable spares are going up in price. Add in the fact that the donor cars, when restored are worth a quid or two and there is the distinct possibility that a lot of folk playing with Jaguars may have a little more disposable income than I have. Average asking price for a long dead/"not had it running but it's complete mate" motor is now about £3 - 500, for one that runs in a half acceptable fashion add anywhere up to a grand more, there's a rebuilt 2.4 and a couple of unknown provenance 4.2s on the 'net for £1250 - 1500... price up the spares and the machining (pistons £500, rebore £200, crank grind £220) and you can see why...
On the other hand there is a BRAND NEW 2.0 d.o.h.c. Ford Scorpio engine complete with e.c.u. and injectors and all sorts of stuff that I don't understand for a measly £699... hmmm, well it would certainly go in...
The days of cheap, good nick XJ engines have gone I fear - much like most of the "classic" stuff cars long past their "sell by" are being restored/renovated meaning that rebuildable spares are going up in price. Add in the fact that the donor cars, when restored are worth a quid or two and there is the distinct possibility that a lot of folk playing with Jaguars may have a little more disposable income than I have. Average asking price for a long dead/"not had it running but it's complete mate" motor is now about £3 - 500, for one that runs in a half acceptable fashion add anywhere up to a grand more, there's a rebuilt 2.4 and a couple of unknown provenance 4.2s on the 'net for £1250 - 1500... price up the spares and the machining (pistons £500, rebore £200, crank grind £220) and you can see why...
On the other hand there is a BRAND NEW 2.0 d.o.h.c. Ford Scorpio engine complete with e.c.u. and injectors and all sorts of stuff that I don't understand for a measly £699... hmmm, well it would certainly go in...
Edited by spoodler on Thursday 6th June 15:35
I guess its been 4 or 5 years since I bought one.
I only threw out the block a year or so ago because no one wanted it and it was big and heavy and mostly it was in the way. I gave away a load of other bits, fortunately I was given the inlet cam shaft back when I decided to swap out the hairy one on my XK.
Probably still got a pile of bits in the garage which I should short out at some stage.
I only threw out the block a year or so ago because no one wanted it and it was big and heavy and mostly it was in the way. I gave away a load of other bits, fortunately I was given the inlet cam shaft back when I decided to swap out the hairy one on my XK.
Probably still got a pile of bits in the garage which I should short out at some stage.
Just got back from The Sun Inn (saw your car at the last meet) and we've been talking alternatives to the Jag' but realistically without paying for professional help, or embarking on a long project then the Jag' is my only real option. Whilst I'm happy to cobble up small brackets and the like, and I've chopped a couple of bikes, I'm no fabricator and the prospect of altering steering column, propshaft, exhaust and pedal box doesn't appeal - not to mention speedo', rev counter, plumbing and wiring.
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