I was wondering, has anybody ever had experience with the 2.8 litre V6 that was used in XJs in the '80s? I come across them now and then on Craigslist but all I've heard is that they're somewhat problematic.

 

They come equipped with about a hundred miles of leaky vacuum lines and are notoriously weak and eat rod and main bearings at an alarming rate.

 

They have less power, more problems, take more gas than a 2.5L I4. Don't go near the 2.8 unless you have a good motor to swap in

 

Don't they come w/ 4.56 or is that another interwebz rumor?

 

They come with 4.10's atleast mine did. I LOVED that thing, I have had WAY more problems with my 4.0 than I EVER had with my 2.8. They don't have alot of power, but mine ran good, and it would still pull hills at 75 no problem because of the gearing.

I still see mine every time I look out the window 'cause I sold it to my neighbor, and every time mine is broke down, he just looks at it, laughs, then fires his 2.8 right up and takes off, haha.

It's the gm 2.8, the same engine that was in the 80's s-10 pickups and blazers, so their are plenty of parts out their for them.

 

Never had one in an xj, but had one in my first car, an 88 Camaro. All I can say is that I beat the snot out of that thing until it had 287,000 miles and never gave me one problem.

 

Same 2.8 as in my sisters S10, ran great till it burned. Cool to get the 4:10 gears but really check over the engine (oil condition, plugs, and compression) prior to purchase.

 

Just a bit of trivia, Crane Cams does make a high performance cam kit for the 2.8, and you can get Keith Black pistons for the 2.8 back in the early 90s. But all of that stuff is like putting lipstick on a pig.