Rare Pre-HE (High Compression) Engine (1981) circa 5000 Miles - £1,650

[wgsouter]

Purchased in Error … This Jaguar V12 Pre-HE Engine was purchased/described as a Jaguar Service Replacement Pre-HE Engine fitted, in 1991, to a 1981 Jaguar XJ12 Series 3. This engine had subsequently covered approximately 5000 miles before parting company with the XJ12 and being stored (and routinely turned over) for many years in anticipation of being used in another vehicle – that project never happened where this engine then came up for sale and was purchased by myself, but wrongly described as a HE … it is not a HE where it transpires to be a very Rare and Desirable High Compression Pre-HE Engine, which I do not want. Hence, this sale.

I have routinely turned this engine over by hand where it ‘feels’ tight and consistent with being of very low mileage – 5000 miles claimed. The Camshaft looks fairly new and all of the valves operate as expected. The engine has/had a Part Number Plate glued over the original stamped engine part number showing RTC2691SR / 3S1960F, which I have not been able to absolutely identify, and I have looked down into all of the cylinders with a borescope where their condition (degree of carbonisation and bore condition) also seems to substantiate that low mileage. Moreover, I found the Part Number EAC3056 stamped into the outer edge of a piston crown which (I believe) confirms/relates to the High Compression (10:1) Version of the Pre-HE Engine.

Therefore, as far as I am aware, this is indeed a Pre-HE High Compression Engine of low mileage.

That said, I would not advocate fitting this engine into a vehicle without first ensuring that it is fit to do so. From turning over the engine, I suspect that an Inlet Valve of not sealing fully and the Camshaft Cover Oil Seals leak. There are also a number of parts missing (see below) that would suggest that the engine would benefit from a minor strip to confirm internal condition. I can only provide the information that I was provided with above, supplemented by what I have observed to date.

This Pre-HE Engine is missing a number of parts such as Water Pump, Fuel Injectors plus Fuel Rail, Inlet Manifolds and Air Filter Housing(s) to mention some. Nevertheless, as a low mileage example of this very Rare and Desirable Pre-HE High Compression Engine, this could be the basis of a cost effective rebuild because I doubt that many of the internal components would need to be replaced.

I am selling this engine for the same money that I paid for it (£1,650), therefore, I will not consider any speculative or low offers. These are rare engines and I have described it as honestly and as well as I am able.

I am located in Westbury (Wiltshire) where I would prefer the buyer to collect. Alternatively, I could deliver (within reason) at additional cost – as long as the buyer has the means to lift the engine out of my trailer on arrival.

Mr Wolfgang Souter
Westbury, Wilstshire

[PaulGover]

I suggest adding your advertisement (or a link to it) to the E-type, XJS and especially JEC Racing forums - your engine could interest far more people than just XJ6 owners.