XK120 Engine Rebuild Estimate Comments Invited

Hello again friends –

I dropped off my long block for a rebuild estimate about a month ago and they just got back to me.

Here is the estimate. Let’s see if this pdf upload works:

Engine Estimate.pdf (65.4 KB)

So, $27,350 to rebuild the block and $12,921 to rebuild the cylinder head for a total of $40,000+. Am I alone in thinking this is a wee bit on the high side? This estimate is from a well known California central coast restoration and parts shop. I will add that you can view the engine running by going on to You Tube and entering “1951 Jaguar XK120 Engine Run Video”. Not sure how to add the link.

Anyway, as sometimes mentioned in other posts, I want the engine rebuilt as it had been non-running for 35+ years under less than ideal storage conditions plus, I’d like the rear main bearing oil seal upgrade done. Along with the engine went an already resurfaced flywheel, new clutch assembly and harmonic balance plate.

Finally, this engine is not original to the car. It’s a late '120 production early F-series from late '53/ early '54. So I’m not committed to it as the original is long since lost to history.

So my question for you guys is would I be advised to have them rebuild it, shop it out to someone else, search for another period long block assembly already rebuilt or some other alternative?

I used to do so much more of this work myself but my regular work responsibilities have become of an increasingly technical nature that leaves me with little time outside of work to devote to this. A common refrain here in Silicon Valley.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts on your part –

Chris

an off the cuff answer… get a QUALIFIED second opinion from a Jaguar specialist. I can offer one suggestion if you wish to contact me via a PM.

PM just sent. Thanks.

I can do that job for 20% less. Call me!

(Just kidding)

Price seems high to me. Assuming worst case that you need all new internal and some head welding, I think $10-12k should be plenty, including polishing the valve covers, intake manifold, carb bells and front of the head. Does that estimate include rebuilding the bolt on bits (carbs, generator, starter, manifolds, oil filter housing, etc? If yes that could de $1500 or so to the total cost.

The estimate you received seems exhorbitant

1 Like

That price should include polishing the INSIDE of the crankshaft, fettling all the casting to a mirror finish and chrome plating the exterior of the block!

1 Like

I live in one of the more expensive places on earth, but that price strikes me as quite expensive.

Get some other offers. I’m sure you can find a few other US shops which know the XK.

Contact Coventry-west for a price

The estimate does NOT include the reattachment of items such as the water pump, inlet and exhaust manifolds, oil filter assembly, carbs and generator. They still reside on shelves in my garage. In short, just your basic long block with head being evaluated for a standard rebuild – the estimate of which does not seem to include the rear main bearing oil seal upgrade either. Actually, I’m not so much bothered by the ridiculous estimate, it’s the fact that I spent so long of a Saturday in my car driving, driving and driving to get there and back and now I have to do it all again when I was hoping to focus my energies on other things for a while. What had initially sold me were the lack of any negative reviews and their pitch of how the majority, if not all, of the machine work is done in-house. The estimate states otherwise. Oh well, live and learn.

hi Chris, please excuse me if i am politically incorrect at a sensitive time. unless that is very special engine you could do better in canada with our favorable exchange rate. we can find a way to smuggle it back home too.

that seems excessive

I would seek further quotes.

Shipping an engine across the country is only a few hundred dollars each way

Although I live in Australia, our local Jag mechanic, who owns a full machine shop, and builds many performance engines, I do not believe he would charge much more than $A10k, if he had to source replacement block, crank or head, that would add a couple more thousand

that is one reason I do not throw away some old MKVII engines I have, one day, someone may want those blocks, heads, cranks etc very much

How much ???
I have had quotes in the UK
£5000 ($6500) For an engine rebuild , bore pistons balanced etc.
£ 8000 ($15000) to include carbs waterpump etc , run in and dynode.
Shipping a car to the UK is only $1000 so an engine on a pallet must be a fraction .
If your engine is that bad and non original would it be better to buy a better example to start with?

It seems very short on detail for such a large amount
.I would consider what they say about the head.

Alloy heads corrode in many inconvenient places, often in places that can’t be accessed to weld. One might try booking in a colonoscopy and taking the head with you and asking if they could have a look inside that while they are at it.
Then you’ll know the condition of both you and the head.

1 Like

47 large is, without sugar coating it, a massive ripoff.

It’s an XK engine. Nothing complex.

We would charge AU$ 13 or so for the whole deal and you’d get a lovely motor.

I just had a 3.8 rebuilt in Virginia Beach for less than $3000 including new pistons, head rebuild and rear oil seal mod. Somebody is trying to rip you off!

Hi Chris:

I had my engine rebuilt in 2006 for a parts and labour cost of $5,245.89 Cdn. This included: degreasing, rebore +020, resurface block, crank magnafluxed and polished, welding crack in sump, fitting of new valve guides, seat reconditioning, disassembly and reassembly. Parts included: new pistons, valves and valve springs, mains, cam and rod bearings, thrust washers, 4 new head studs, frost plug set and gasket sets. Even factoring in inflation, $40,000. U.S. seems a tad excessive. By the way, the motor has 20,000 miles on it, holds 60 lbs oil pressure at cruising speed and I can travel 3,000 miles before adding a litre of oil.

Regards,

Chris.

1 Like

Three or four years ago I had a guy (now a never-actually-met friend) supply and rebuild a '64 5-bolt Hipo Ford 289 for me in Palo Alto before shipping it over to me in the UK. This engine had absolutely everything done to it to bring it to better-than-new spec for a '64 Cobra 289. Even including the original Hipo heads (inc. supply), I think we just got to around £15k.
Yes, that’s expensive. Unless there are lots of complex repairs needed to block, head etc. I’d look around.

If this is it, early intake manifold but later head and carbs,


I would give it a good tuneup, plug wires, air cleaners etc. and drive it as is.

To be fair to the shop, they are giving you an estimate assuming they find it needs absolutely everything. The fine print says they bill according to what they find when they delve into it, consulting the customer first.

Plus they heard you live in silicon valley, the land of deep pockets.

Mine did not need cylinder boring or crank grinding, and I did everything else myself, except head water port welding which cost me donuts and bagels for the whole shop, and I think I spent about $1000 on parts and porcelain coating.

1 Like

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jaguar-XK-3-4-Engine-Built-By-Experienced-Engine-Builder-With-Over-30-Years-Exp/142928599851?hash=item2147355b2b:g:01QAAOSwnWhakEoW

Any good ? This engine did not sell a few weeks weeks ago

I had my 4.2 engine rebuilt by Dick Maury at Coventry West just outside Atlanta and could not be happier with the entire transaction. Dick arranged for shipping both ways, the cost of the rebuild and shipping did not exceed $11,000. and he kept me informed on progress though out the rebuild. The car now has about 9000 miles and runs like a Singer :-). Please give Dick a call 1-800-331-2193.

Len Wheeler
Tucson

1 Like