AJ30 Engine in S-Type Cam Cover Material

[PATTERNPART]

Hi

The AJ30 three litre petrol 24 valve engine (Ford Duratec) seems to have served well in the rather unloved S-Type since 1999. Not sure when the model production ended - 2007? Anyway, I've taken the engine out of one to use in something smaller and lighter in the form of an old Sierra. It appears that the cam covers are made of plastic which is disappointing as when the engine went into Mondeo ST220s they were magnesium or aluminium I think. I'd like to know if they are interchangeable. I suppose I could make a nuisance of myself at a local motor factor and see if the gaskets match from year to year. The engine looks really quite nice once the bulky inlet tract is removed which entirely covers the offside bank and valves. So much so that you have to unbolt it all to get at the spark plugs on that side. Ford skimped by making the exposed side shiny silver and leaving the hidden cam cover plain black.

Anyone know if there is interchangeability here?

[John Locke]

The early engines had metal covers, sorry I don't know when they changed,



this is a "51" plate car.

[PATTERNPART]

Thanks I'll delve about. Mine is pretty early so maybe I'm wrong about the material!

[magpies]

The engine I took out of a 1999 3.0 S Type to fit into my TVR are definitely plastic.
You will notice I have removed the oil filler from the n/s cam cover. Oil can be filled through the vent connection

I didn't like the Alien inlet so fitted an Alfa one.

[PATTERNPART]

The donor of my engine was T Reg. I would prefer some metal ones but I bet there is some critical difference.
,

[Coskev]

John Locke said:

The early engines had metal covers, sorry I don't know when they changed,



this is a "51" plate car.

No they are plastic!

All early engines have plastic ones.