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I am looking for some help with identifying the following engine number:

the number on the block is C17200FF its supposed to be a 3.8 from a 1966 model but does not seem ton comply with usual numbering convention. Can anyone help? the number on the cylinder head is D9952-8. I also think it was from a LHD car.

Thanks

Hi,

I can't match your numbers up to the MkII manual.

A 3.8 ltr should start LA 1001 to LA9999,LB1001 to LB999, LC1001 to LC9999, LE1001 onwards

A 3.4 is KG1001 to KG 9999, KH1001 to KH9999, KJ1001 to KJ9999

the number followed by -8 means 8 to 1 compression ratio

And the following letters DN for overdrive and BW for Auto.

My engine is an LA 9--1 - 8 with an LB---- head as the car had a 4 speed box and no overdrive and a corroded head had to be replaced.

So maybe your engine and head came from different cars, they were all similar, I have second hand camshafts from an XK 140 in as Ken said they were the same.

I hope that is some help.

Brian

I could not ID the numbers with the usual series so, like you, cant understand where the block came from. It is definitely a 3.8 Jag unit as you can see from the attached image.

Hello G,

Hello G,

I have Dave Pollard's book on the XK engine and he lists the engine prefixes for all model, but there is no 'C' among them, LC for the 3.8 MK2 saloon is the only prefix with a 'C' in it.

From your picture it has a cast aluminium sump which indicates a sports car, but the overdrive was not fitted to E TYpes? Obviously as it is of an age where many bits could have been fitted from different cars makes a lot of guess work? What colour is the cylinder head?

Alec

As you can see from the image, the head is polished and the number is clear.

I think I have worked it out. It is from a MK9 1961. can anyone advise if this will fit in the Mk2 mountings for engine and gearbox?

Greg

Hello Greg,

from my book the Mk 1X should have an NL engine number, with a blue painted cylinder head (same as the 3.8 Mk 2). I suspect that number embossed on the head is a casting reference number, there should be a number stamped on the head which corresponds with the engine number if my memory is correct?

I would say it will fit but you will need the specific components; from your picture, the sump, possibly the oil filter assembly, the engine mounting brackets., and possibly the thermostat housing? Unless anyone has done this it's a bit of suck it and see.

Good luck,

Alec

Thanks, Alec. I will let you know how I get on. I have my existing unit, which may act as a donor for some of the parts.
Cheers, Greg

Just a thought. Do military engines carry the same numbers as civilian ones?

As Alec says, the numbers are stamped into the block very close to your casting numbers and to the front face of the valley between the cam covers.

The engines for the MkII started with a tin sump as does mine, but later engines have an alloy. sump.

Brian

Hello Brian,

I wasn't aware of aluminium sumps on a MK 2 but they won't be the shape that Greg's picture shows?

Alec

Hi Alec,

The engine gives the impression of an early XK,
It has the 3 core plug block (early thank goodness) (like mine)
The inlet manifold shows its an early 'B' type head (like mine)
The crankshaft damper is again the earlier on (don't know if they changed them later) but it seems to have a double pulley on the crank end??
The oil filter is the odd one for me (never seen that before on a MkII)
As you say the sump would not fit over the MkII front suspension beam, I think I've seen a similar one on my friends XK120 (I could be dreaming!)

With care you can mix and match assemblies to the XK engines so it may well be made up of various bits from other cars engines. As the entablature, head and inlet manifold are the same as mine I would think it is at least up to 1961.

Like you I have looked in another Kelsey publication and can only find 'LC' on the MkII engine, but I think we have been given a casting number not the engine 'STAMPED' number.

Best wishes

Brian

Hello Brian,

XK140s had a 'G' engine prefix, which could be mistaken as a 'C' but they were 3.4 litre engines.

Yes, the embossed number is not the head number, casting or possibly a part number?

Alec

Hi

240 & 340 engines had alloy sumps as did the S type but the filter housing was angled as Brian pointed out. Greg needs to clean the area next to the filter housing where the engine serial number is stamped, they were stamped on not cast and the number show is as was pointed out a casting number.
To fit and alloy sump into a Mk2 you need the spacer plates for the anti-roll bar to stop it hitting the sump.

The block is from a MKIX see page 13 from http://www.terrysjag.com/3.4%20L%20Engine%20Parts.pdf jag spares division.
Looks like its post 1960

Jon