[Saloon-lovers] 4.2 into a Mk2

Saloons
1

Hi Guys,

I’ve not been terribly active on this list for a while, so hi again to all.
As some of you may be aware the results of marital breakdown has led to my
XJ6 and XJ12 being sold off as part of the settlement, I did however get to
keep my 63 Mk2 3.8 M/Od. This is due to the fact that it is in a million
pieces and hence has a resale value of very little. I now have a motorcycle
as my only transport, so I’m keen to finally finish this project to the
point that it’s driveable and registerable, for those days it’s too cold and
wet for a bike.

So, the questions:

What issues are there with using a Series 1 XJ6 4.2 L bottom end with the
3.8 head and bolting that up to the Moss box and dropping it in. I
understand I have to block two additional coolant passages -are there any
other issues ? I have a lead on a (very cheap) rebuilt 4.2 which had the
head “borrowed” for another project. This would give me a running motor
until I can afford to get the 3.8 rebuilt. Are there any issues re engine
mounts or whatever to be aware of ? (Ryan, are you out there still ?)

Does anyone in Oz have a source for a Mk2 exhaust system, or should I just
go down to Midas et al ?

How big a job is replacing the wiring loom ? How expensive is a wiring loom
and where can I get one (pref. in Oz). There’s a break in the headlight
wiring which I can patch however the rest of the wiring is looking somewhat
disreputable.

John
Sydney Oz.
'63 Mk2 3.8 m/o
99 TRX 850

2

John,

I’ve got a 4.2l in my '59 MK-I. Your transplant would be virtually identical
to mine.

I used the engine out of a fuel injected XJ-6 with no air injection (the
injected head has bigger valves and you’ll have to plug the air injection
ports or get a head without).

The 4.2 block has all of the correct holes for the motor mounts and
accessories brackets (I don’t think Jaguar changed any block castings in 30
years).

The exhaust ports on 3.4, 3.8 and 4.2 heads are the same thus the exhaust
manifolds bolt right on.

In my case I used the dual HD8 intake from a 420, The water ports are
perfect but the intake port size of the head is slightly bigger. I used the
new intake gasket as a guide to “port” the intake manifold to match the head
(I used a die grinder and did it myself, it’s very easy). I’d bet your 3.8
intake will work also, but as you said, check the water ports. If you
“ported” your 3.8 intake, it wouldn’t go back on the 3.8 head.

I used a BW66 automatic and had to make a rear mounting bracket (easy to do)
and shorten the drive shaft a bit (cheap to do). I’d guess your Moss box
will bolt right on, no problem.

I’m very happy with my transplant, it’s my daily driver, is reliable and
runs great (this weekend I ran 0 to 60 in 8.7 seconds, not bad eh).

Now on a more important note:

Years ago I met this girl and agreed to marry her. We both owned houses and
decided that we’d both sell our houses and buy one bigger one, before we
wed. At that time I had several cars, one of which was a '59 Bug Eye Sprite.
My soon to be wife and I felt that we wouldn’t have enough room for all the
cars and that the Bug Eye would make a good addition to our down payment
fund, if sold. So I put it in the classifieds and promptly got a call. I
drove it the callers garage were he said he’d love to buy it! But, he
proposed a cash and trade deal. $1500 cash (I only had $1200 in the car) and
a '64 MK-II. I’d been wanting a MK-II for a LONG TIME, what a great
proposal. I went home to tell my fianc�e of my good fortune… She didn’t
quite see it that way, she said, and I quote “The car or me!”. Being in luv
I said well you dear, of course. I found another buyer and sold the car for
$4500.

What’s my point? Our marriage lasted for six years and if I if I’d chosen
the MK-II instead… I’d still be driving that car! If confronted with the
same choice again I’d definitely go for the car.

Sincerely,

Mike Waldron

3

I’m still here. I used a complete 4.2 motor, so don’t really know what the
issues are with mating a 3.8 head to a 4.2 block.

Motormounts should be no problem, though as I state on my page, you’ll find
some of the ancillary mounts are gone on the 4.2 block (the old motor mount
holes were used for them instead). The moss box should bolt right up to the
4.2, as should the flywheel (watch the bolt length). The 3.8 sump can
probably be used on the 4.2 block, just make sure the rear seal is taken
care of. This will mean sump/suspension clearance won’t be a problem.

Exhaust: if you use the 4.2 manifolds, a MK2 exhaust won’t fit (I don’t
think). The block height on a 4.2 is the same as a 3.8, so if you go with
your 3.8 (MK2) manifolds, then a pre-fab’d MK2 exhaust system will work, and
will be re-useable when, if :-), you decide to go back to the 3.8.

If you use the 3.8 water-pump, you shouldn’t have any fan/pully issues to
deal with.

That’s all that pop’s to mind, drop me a line with any other questions.

Ryan.
4.2 '59 MK1, Colorado USA.-----Original Message-----
From: Littler, John [mailto:John.Littler@au.gateway.com]
Sent: Monday, March 27, 2000 4:23 PM
To: ‘saloons@jag-lovers.org’
Subject: [Saloon-lovers] 4.2 into a Mk2

Hi Guys,

I’ve not been terribly active on this list for a while, so hi again to all.
As some of you may be aware the results of marital breakdown has led to my
XJ6 and XJ12 being sold off as part of the settlement, I did however get to
keep my 63 Mk2 3.8 M/Od. This is due to the fact that it is in a million
pieces and hence has a resale value of very little. I now have a motorcycle
as my only transport, so I’m keen to finally finish this project to the
point that it’s driveable and registerable, for those days it’s too cold and
wet for a bike.

So, the questions:

What issues are there with using a Series 1 XJ6 4.2 L bottom end with the
3.8 head and bolting that up to the Moss box and dropping it in. I
understand I have to block two additional coolant passages -are there any
other issues ? I have a lead on a (very cheap) rebuilt 4.2 which had the
head “borrowed” for another project. This would give me a running motor
until I can afford to get the 3.8 rebuilt. Are there any issues re engine
mounts or whatever to be aware of ? (Ryan, are you out there still ?)

Does anyone in Oz have a source for a Mk2 exhaust system, or should I just
go down to Midas et al ?

How big a job is replacing the wiring loom ? How expensive is a wiring loom
and where can I get one (pref. in Oz). There’s a break in the headlight
wiring which I can patch however the rest of the wiring is looking somewhat
disreputable.

John
Sydney Oz.
'63 Mk2 3.8 m/o
99 TRX 850

4

Is it necessary to use a 3.8 sump on the 4.2litre engine? What is the
clearance problem with the standard 4.2 sump? Is an alternate sump the
easiest way around this or are other mods possible?

Gerrish Burstow----- Original Message -----
From: BORDER,RYAN (HP-FtCollins,ex1) ryan_border@hp.com
To: saloons@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Wednesday, March 29, 2000 2:52 AM
Subject: RE: [Saloon-lovers] 4.2 into a Mk2

I’m still here. I used a complete 4.2 motor, so don’t really know what
the
issues are with mating a 3.8 head to a 4.2 block.

Motormounts should be no problem, though as I state on my page, you’ll
find
some of the ancillary mounts are gone on the 4.2 block (the old motor
mount
holes were used for them instead). The moss box should bolt right up to
the
4.2, as should the flywheel (watch the bolt length). The 3.8 sump can
probably be used on the 4.2 block, just make sure the rear seal is taken
care of. This will mean sump/suspension clearance won’t be a problem.

Exhaust: if you use the 4.2 manifolds, a MK2 exhaust won’t fit (I don’t
think). The block height on a 4.2 is the same as a 3.8, so if you go with
your 3.8 (MK2) manifolds, then a pre-fab’d MK2 exhaust system will work,
and
will be re-useable when, if :-), you decide to go back to the 3.8.

If you use the 3.8 water-pump, you shouldn’t have any fan/pully issues to
deal with.

That’s all that pop’s to mind, drop me a line with any other questions.

Ryan.
4.2 '59 MK1, Colorado USA.

-----Original Message-----
From: Littler, John [mailto:John.Littler@au.gateway.com]
Sent: Monday, March 27, 2000 4:23 PM
To: ‘saloons@jag-lovers.org’
Subject: [Saloon-lovers] 4.2 into a Mk2

Hi Guys,

I’ve not been terribly active on this list for a while, so hi again to
all.
As some of you may be aware the results of marital breakdown has led to my
XJ6 and XJ12 being sold off as part of the settlement, I did however get
to
keep my 63 Mk2 3.8 M/Od. This is due to the fact that it is in a million
pieces and hence has a resale value of very little. I now have a
motorcycle
as my only transport, so I’m keen to finally finish this project to the
point that it’s driveable and registerable, for those days it’s too cold
and
wet for a bike.

So, the questions:

What issues are there with using a Series 1 XJ6 4.2 L bottom end with the
3.8 head and bolting that up to the Moss box and dropping it in. I
understand I have to block two additional coolant passages -are there any
other issues ? I have a lead on a (very cheap) rebuilt 4.2 which had the
head “borrowed” for another project. This would give me a running motor
until I can afford to get the 3.8 rebuilt. Are there any issues re engine
mounts or whatever to be aware of ? (Ryan, are you out there still ?)

Does anyone in Oz have a source for a Mk2 exhaust system, or should I just
go down to Midas et al ?

How big a job is replacing the wiring loom ? How expensive is a wiring
loom
and where can I get one (pref. in Oz). There’s a break in the headlight
wiring which I can patch however the rest of the wiring is looking
somewhat
disreputable.

John
Sydney Oz.
'63 Mk2 3.8 m/o
99 TRX 850

5

Gerrish,

As I stated earlier, I’ve got basically a Series III XJ-6 motor and
transmission in a '59 MK-I, the MK-II should work pretty much the same.

I’m using the Series III sump. The only modification I had to make was to
lower the anti-sway bar 1". I did this by inserting a 1" square steel tube
between the frame and the sway bar mount. Using the mount as a guide, I cut
the tube the same length as the mount and drilled holes thru the tube where
the mounts holes are. Then, I installed the whole assembly as you would
normally, but with 1" longer bolts (good hardened bolts).

I’ve had no clearance problems (and I slalom race the car on occasion).
Moving the sway bar doesn’t affect its’ geometry so you could “adjust” it as
necessary.

I must state, I do not have power steering, although I doubt PAS would
interfere with the sump since all components should be located between the
sway bar and the sub-frame.

Mike Waldron

6

Hey guys, I am having problems with an XJ 4.2 in my MK11.
I have had a power steering unit installed and it does rattle on the sump.
Also never keen on the lowering of the sway bar, in my case it has been achieved with timber blocks.
The rubbers seem to chew out daily quick due to a stretched position.

So my question is.
If I remove the alloy sump and replace with a steel sump from a 3.8, is there any problems with baffles and pick ups?
Are there any other issues doing this?

7

Try JAGDAIM in Elsternwick Victoria in OZ. re, Harness.
Cheers,
Bruced