• Hi Guest!
    You can help ensure that British Car Forum (BCF) continues to provide a great place to engage in the British car hobby! If you find BCF a beneficial community, please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription.

    There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Tips
Tips

Advice needed - 56 MkI 2.4

I read some place that it is the profile of the double cam and double chain layout of the crossflow engine.
 
I hope it is several years if ever that I should need to personally see that in my engine!! I plan on following the instructions laid out in Waking a Sleeping MG (I think it was) once I get the bits and pieces reinstalled. I will take pics once I get it home.
 
Silverghost said:
Thanks Steve! Muchly appreciated. I will check out the JEC, as that is more my style!

Where is New Berlin? You must not be far from me. Do you come down for the British Car Festival (name?) in the fall?

What does the XK designation mean regarding the engine?

Thanks again! :smile:

New Berlin is just to the west of Milwaukee, an hour and a half's drive from Chicago. I have been down to the British Car Festival a couple of times, but that was a long time ago.

I don't know the reason for the "XK" designation, I shall see if I can find out.
 
Okay, here's the scoop. Per Lord Montagu (of Beauleiu) in his book on Jaguar......

Jaguar used the 'X' designation for experimental engine designs. There was an XA through, yes, XJ. Then the XK of course. Originally the XK engine was a four cylinder with the twin overhead cams, and since the six-cylinder was a direct version of this engine configuration, it was still labelled as the "XK" engine, and the name just stuck.
 
"Soapy" Sutton drove an XK 120 to 126 MPH to "test" the engine's performance. Around 1949. But I thought the earlier, "J" were the four-holers. *shrug*

The XK120 bodies were originally produced only as a test bed for the engines. No intention to make 'em a production unit. Wild!!

Sir Henry was a clever guy.
 
Xj and XK were both built in 4- and 6-pot versions. The original intent was to have a 2-litre 4-pot engine and a 3-litre 6-pot. The 4-pot was dropped, and the 3-litre became 3.4.

Interestingly, the XJ had its moment of glory, when one powered Goldie Gardner's MG to class records.
 
I saw one of the early XK prototypes at the JDHT. It is fun to see how similar it is to the production 6's.

I wil try to attach a picture to this post.

Dan Davis
 

Attachments

  • 11653.jpg
    11653.jpg
    81.6 KB · Views: 130
Thanks guys. I'd only seen B&W pix of a four, never in person. Kinda neat! It sure DOES look the same. Down to the external oil lines. :thumbsup:
 
Ok, I am starting to get itchy to get my car! :smile: I know I have a lot of work in front of me but the results will be worth it!
 
That engine would look perty in my MGB :devilgrin:
 
Well, MKI's are a favourite of mine.

My Jag is a MKII, RHD, with a 2.4L.
While it is no dragster, this thing passes all the gas stations.

If you are parting with the 2.4L, let me know, as I am missing some brackets and lines to be "original".

The first Jag I drove was a 57 MKI, 3.4L, LHD, 4-speed with inop OD.

They are not as easy to see out of as a MKII, but then, neither are my flatheads as easy as a later LTD!

TOC
 
No chance of parting with it.... :smile: See my new thread "My Jaguar Adventure Begins"
 
:lol:
 
Back
Top