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Jaguar AJ8, 3.2 V8 engines, good or bad?
fha772 - 1/4/13 at 09:48 PM

Hi all,

After having a bit an eBay trawl, looking at various V8 engines (what else would I be looking for...)
I noticed that there are a few Jaguar 3.2 V8's at sensible money.

There's plenty of power there too, with 240bhp on tap as standard.

So are these engines any good, or have they got any inherent issues that are best avoided.

Cheers Frank.

morcus - 1/4/13 at 10:05 PM

Whem me and me dad bought an XJ in 09 we were told to avoid the V8's and go for the straight six, but when I had a look last year I noticed alot with 200K on them so I would say they're probably not as bad as people made out. Nikasil was something to beware of but I'd guess if it was going to go it would have already.

I'd avoid the XJR units given what I've read in a certain magazine.

I'd like to add as a disclaimer that all my info is second hand.

scootz - 1/4/13 at 10:10 PM

... guess what!?


I have a grubby one sat doing nothing in my garage! Got to be worth 'experimenting on at £100.


PS - Is this what's called a thread hijack!?

fha772 - 1/4/13 at 10:18 PM

Thanks guys.

£100 you say...

Has it got any ancillaries on it?

mark chandler - 1/4/13 at 10:29 PM

Coils can be short lived, timing chains need replacement every 70k, new tensioners are much better than original plastic ones that crack.

They do have solenoids that operate the cams, I think my xK8 clonked at around 1500 rpm as they switched in so should be easy to deal with.

Only XK8's and XKR's had Nikasil lining, although the fuel that affected these is long gone now.

Nice engines IMHO

Jaguar never fitted with a manual box, I do not believe they have traditional jag bolt patterns so you will need think about mating up to something as the Jag box will be harder to work than the engine.

Regards Mark

[Edited on 1/4/13 by mark chandler]

morcus - 1/4/13 at 10:29 PM

Not really wanting to hijack a hijack, but you wouldn't happen to have some auto boxes knocking around in your shed as well? Perhaps ones that would fit into a book chassis?

fha772 - 1/4/13 at 10:55 PM

I'm wondering if I'd need a Jag ecu, or will megasquirt, or something similar will run it?

If all goes to plan, I'm going to hang it on the back of a Porsche manual gearbox.

scootz - 1/4/13 at 11:37 PM

quote:
Originally posted by fha772
Thanks guys.

£100 you say...

Has it got any ancillaries on it?



All of 'em (and an ECU).

scootz - 1/4/13 at 11:41 PM

quote:
Originally posted by morcus
Not really wanting to hijack a hijack, but you wouldn't happen to have some auto boxes knocking around in your shed as well? Perhaps ones that would fit into a book chassis?




Of course I do!

Its also scruffy, but there's documented evidence of it being reconditioned before the car was laid up. Cost a couple of £K I believe.

Yours for £265 delivered on a pallet to your door (inclusive if gearbox ECU).

morcus - 1/4/13 at 11:56 PM

Thanks, I might be in touch.

fha772 - 2/4/13 at 01:55 PM

How much would it be to have the engine delivered?

scootz - 2/4/13 at 02:31 PM

Normally £65 on a pallet.

JoelP - 2/4/13 at 03:42 PM

How on earth did you fit your shed into scotland scootz? The amount of stuff you have in it id imagine it continues onto pilings out over the north sea.