Classic Ford with Jaguar AJ-V8 engine?

[Danish]

Has anyone fitted a Jagar V8 engine to a classic Ford?

 

I have an XJ8 as one of my everyday cars, but it has a faulty auto gearbox so is likely heading to the 'big Jaguar dealership in the sky' in the next year. It has a very smooth 3.2 V8 engine  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_AJ-V8_engine  and I understand it will mate to various Mercedes manual boxes. A thought occurs to me to buy a cheap Mk5 Cortina and fit the V8.

 

OK, this is a crazy idea, but it would be good to know if anyone's tried it and if there are any issues which make it too difficult?     I guess as a minimum I'd have to do:

 

* enlarge the tunnel

* fit either an electronic ignition system and carbs or mega-squirt system to use the original injectors

* custom engine brackets

* uprated prop, axle, brakes, etc.

 

Just at the 'idea stage' at the moment though  

[Vista]

V8 Jag, in a classic Ford? I like the idea. I think if I were to do it myself I'd favour putting it into a capri rather than a cortina though.

 

What's wrong with the autobox, is it one of the ZF6HP26 boxes also fitted in BMW's Landrovers and other cars? They can usually be repaired by an independent transmission specialist without massive cost

[theloudboy]

I think that's the engine gary martin of retromotorsport has just fitted to a mk1 escort for a customer

[Danish]

Thanks for the replies guys. I used to have a Capri but didn't like the handling

 

V8 Jag, in a classic Ford? I like the idea. I think if I were to do it myself I'd favour putting it into a capri rather than a cortina though.

 

What's wrong with the autobox, is it one of the ZF6HP26 boxes also fitted in BMW's Landrovers and other cars? They can usually be repaired by an independent transmission specialist without massive cost

 

I think the autobox is a ZF 5HP24, I know it's used in some Mercedes, but I'm no autobox expert. It sticks in neutral sometimes, or sometimes in first. I would fix it, but the rear bumper and boot lid are damaged, and the MOT history showed up it's been clocked by at least 50,000 miles which kills any resell value. So I'm just enjoying it while it keeps running.

 

I used to have a Capri and really it wasn't for me, I sold it after a few months. I've hankered after a Mk4 or Mk5 for a while.

 

I think that's the engine gary martin of retromotorsport has just fitted to a mk1 escort for a customer

 

Good to know there's at least one other crazy person     My thinking is it's not a lot different to fitting a Rover V8, and it has 100 more horses in standard trim. I'll try to get in touch with him.

[deltamal]

I've always liked the idea of a 328i Beemer engine in a Cortina! seem to think there was a thread on here somewhere about it being done....