Is it possible to determine the year a vehicle was manufactured based soley on the serial number of the motor? I'm making an assumption that Jaguar installed motors in numerical sequence. And you know what they say about making assumptions). Here's the story. I recently purchased a '67 E-Type OTS with a XJ6 motor. Whoever replaced the motor, prior to the most recent owner, also retained the three SU's. I assume (uh-oh I did it again) from the original motor and everything else that makes it look like a Series 1. I knew it wasn't a numbers matching car when I bought it. I'm just curious as to the year of the car that the motor came out of. The number on the motor is "7L45162S". If anyone has a XJ6 with a motor serial number close to that, I would be interested in hearing from you as to your vehicle's manufacture date (month and year if possible). I've been told that the "S" in the motor refers to "Standard Compression". Other than carburetion, what are the other differences between a XJ6 4.2 and a Series 1 E-Type 4.2? Thanks, Mike

Mike in West Virginia
60 TR3A
67 E Type OTS
74 MGB GT
76 and 77 MGB
80 TR7 Spider

Submitted by mikep67@charter.net on Sun, 10/30/2005 - 11:55

Michael, thanks for the encouraging words. I've said before, "I wish it was a numbers matching car, but it's not." But with that comes almost a sigh of relief. Now I'm more willing to do most, if not all, of the work on the car myself and in the long run enjoy it more. If it was a numbers matched car I think I would go off the deep by spending more money than I can afford in order to get it back to concours condition. Then I would be afraid to drive it for fear of putting a scratch on it. I'm perfectly happy to have a good driver. After all, it's still a Jag :)

Mike in West Virginia
60 TR3A
67 E Type OTS
74 MGB GT
76 and 77 MGB
80 TR7 Spider

Submitted by mfrank@westnet.com on Sun, 10/30/2005 - 08:47

You lose nothing of consequence for having the XJ block. No stock six cylinder E-Type came remotely close to the advertised horsepower, a 265HP E-Type motor produced more like 180 or so. S1 XJ's were quoted lower, with only had two carbs. By retaining the E-Type manifold and carburetion, you get back most of the lost HP. If your motor is 8:1 rather than 9:1, you can get by with cheaper midgrade gasoline, and the power reduction will be hardly noticable. So enjoy your car and don't give it another thought. If it's any consolation, my driver has a Series 2 XJ block, with e-type trimming. I've never felt any lack of power or reliability.

Submitted by mikep67@charter.net on Sat, 10/29/2005 - 20:27

William, thanks for the comments. I've always admired Jags in general and E-Types in particular but never thought I would have the opportunity to find one I could afford. Consequently this is my first dance with the marque so bear with me. Did the block change come with the introduction of the XJ6? By different block, I'm assuming different stroke and different horsepower. Was bore changed also? If I'm not mistaken the early E-Types advertised 265 HP (give or take a horse or two). What was the HP rating of the XJ6's? Sorry for all the questions. Mike
Mike in West Virginia
60 TR3A
67 E Type OTS
74 MGB GT
76 and 77 MGB
80 TR7 Spider

Submitted by bonnettoboot@e… on Sat, 10/29/2005 - 18:28

This engine is from a series 1 XJ6 around 1970 I think it is a different block with the long studs, which are -in my opinion- less reliable than the early short stud block. Jaguar affectionado and etc.