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Moss Motors, Ltd » Jaguar E-Type » General » Re: 3.8 or 4.2, which do you prefer

3.8 or 4.2, which do you prefer

Last post 05-01-2009, 1:42 PM by motorbill66. 5 replies.
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  •  12-27-2006, 3:27 PM 3266

    3.8 or 4.2, which do you prefer

    Reply Quote
    I'm wondering about swapping engines and wanted to get some feedback on owners as to whether they preferred the 3.8 or 4.2L
    Kelvin Dodd
    Global Sourcing Engineer
    Moss Motors, Ltd.
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    Disclaimer: Working on automobiles is inherently dangerous. Moss Motors, Ltd. is not liable for injury or damage due to incorrect installation or use of their products. All products are sold with the understanding that the safe and proper installation and use of the products is the customer’s responsibility. Follow factory workshop manual procedures and instructions, but use current shop safety standards and common sense. Some tasks will require professional advice or services which Moss Motors cannot provide.

  •  12-15-2008, 1:37 PM 17357 in reply to 3266

    Re: 3.8 or 4.2, which do you prefer

    Reply Quote

    hey kevin did u ever swap those engines from your 06 post.

     heres my thoughts, keep the 3.8 because it is a better motor but swap the mossbox tranny for a syncromesh unit. The later 3.8s which had the 4.2 tranny are in my opinion the most desirable of all e types !
    Filed under:

  •  12-15-2008, 2:49 PM 17358 in reply to 17357

    Re: 3.8 or 4.2, which do you prefer

    Reply Quote

    Hey Kelvin,

    In my opinion the 3.8 is the "sweeter" motor. And the 4.2 is really not all that much bigger. I also agree concerning the gearboxes.

    You and you wife have a fine Christmas and holiday season. It was -13 F. at our house this morning. I'm not sure why I'm here...

    Bill & Linda

    Motorbill
    From Lola to Land Rover, If it's British and has wheels, it's likely I've bloodied me knuckles thereupon

  •  05-01-2009, 11:51 AM 19270 in reply to 3266

    Re: 3.8 or 4.2, which do you prefer

    Reply Quote
    The 3.8 is the direct linage.  The 4.2 is bored differently unequal between 2/3 4/5 this is from memory but I won a bet on it once.  I posed this same question to Bill Terry who built and used to pilot a 62 in which he transposed a 4.2.  The car currently makes 600 HP at a quoted cost to of 28K for the motor alone.  His argument "there is no replacement for displacement."  As I own a 63 FHC I am partial to the looks of the 3.8 over the 4.2. 

  •  05-01-2009, 1:41 PM 19279 in reply to 19270

    Re: 3.8 or 4.2, which do you prefer

    Reply Quote

    Kelvin,

    My choice would be the 3.8 because everybody else said so!

    On their death bed, nobody ever said, "Gee I wish I'd spent more time at work!"

    '68 Sprite 1275
    '76 Midget 1500

  •  05-01-2009, 1:42 PM 19280 in reply to 19279

    Re: 3.8 or 4.2, which do you prefer

    Reply Quote

    OK, davey,

    now we've heard from the 1.275 gallery!  And, I agree with your agreement.

    Motorbill
    From Lola to Land Rover, If it's British and has wheels, it's likely I've bloodied me knuckles thereupon