XJ600N engine swap?

Hi guys, I have a 1997 XJ600N with a very sick engine. There's an awful rattle from the top end and it won't go into gear unless I roll the bike backwards a little bit while engaging gear.
These are jobs that I do not have the knowledge or skills to put right.
I've been thinking about swapping the engine but XJ600N and XJ900N engines are like hens teeth!
Can some one please tell me what other XJ engines will if, if any. I've been looking around and have seen XJ600 diversion, pre-diversion and XJ600S engines to name but a few but don't know which, if any will fit straight in.
I'd appreciate some advice with this one.
Thanks
Regards
Dozer

 

I am pretty sure any diversion 600 motor will fit into your bike, but not the pre diversion. Diversions have a tilted cylinder block witch differs from the upright block on the pre motors, not sure about the 900 as I always thought they were shafties. I also think some of the later FZR600 motors may be a match, but don’t hold me to this im sure someone will be along to set you on the right track soon.
Good look.

Al

 

I hate to be the one to say this, BUT:

If you don't have the skillset to diagnose and fix what sound like relatively simple problems on the bike, you certainly aren't going to fare well trying to swap motors, especially different motors.

EITHER route is going to involve a manual and some research (or diagnosis) on your part.

Fixing the bike would probably be easier and yield more immediately positive results.

 

Ledicott is right, the Seca II and Diversion use the same motor, although there are other differences between the bikes like carbs and other such nonsense. Pre-Diversion won't work.

Not sure about the XJ900. Both the mounting spots and the frame could be different.

 

Thanks for the replies guys,looks like I'll be changing an engine and carbs from another diversion 600. You're dead right the 900is a shafty. It's just that I'm a coward when it comes to stripping down bike engines and gear boxes. :lol: :lol:

In reply to bigfitz52... Thanks for your comment BUT I'm quite capable of swapping out an engine. Done this a few times in the past and car motors too. The skill set required for a strip down and re-build is one thing, the skill set required for a swap out is another. Though I value your comments perhaps you should think about other peoples capabilities.
For a living I'm a Civil and Structural Engineer and I find my job challenging but quite straight forward, a skill set that you may not posess. I wouldn't expect you to be able to carry out a structural analysis (unless you are trained and qualified to do so ) on a cable stayed bridge, you could probably quite easily build a bridge over your garden pond though. Your skill set may lead you to think that stripping and rebuilding an engine and gearbox is simple but let's face it not everyone has your obvious talent for this.
My apologies if you think that this is a bit of a rant, that was not my intention, just making a point, but I was just looking for a bit of advice regarding which of the diversion engines will fit.

 

They're not that far away from each other, both involve assembly/disassembly of various components and making sure stuff goes back together in the right way and place

If you are patient and have a manual it isn't as hard as you may think

 

Plus, a Seca II/Diversion is probably the easiest bike in existence to get the engine in and out of.

 

Who said I was upset?

I'm only trying to get you to realize that you're jumping to conclusions.

I'm not annoyed or upset; the point I was trying to make is that there probably isn't anything all that wrong with your motor; or if there is, you have NO IDEA what it is, but you're going to jump into swapping in a different mill.

Either way, fix or swap, you'll need a manual.

Get the manual; and so armed, DIAGNOSE this supposedly "terminal" motor.

There could be something very basic wrong; something easily fixed, or at least a hell of a lot more easily than replacing the motor would be.

You're assuming the worst (a need to replace the motor) when you don't even know what's wrong with it.

BAD IDEA.

After all; you'll need to run the same checks (valve clearances, compression test, etc.) on any potential "donor" motor as well. Why not start with the motor you already have, and figure out exactly what's wrong with IT? Then if it is truly unrepairable, swap it.

Oh, and since ANY XJ-series motor will need things like valve clearance adjustments, you're going to need to get familiar with those "bumpy bits" inside. Unless you plan to swap motors every time one needs some basic maintenance; which is what I suspect you're about to do now.

The necessary "experience" is here on this site; that's why we're here. All you need is a good set of tools, a manual, along with the experience you say you already have. And a willingness to learn.

I've seen the insides of plenty of Rootes-Group hardware over the years; plus things like Lucas magnetoes and fuel pumps, and Amal and SU carbs. If you're truly experienced with British cars, then "Yamaha fiddly" will be no big deal, honest.

The only time in my life a parts counter guy actually LAUGHED at me was at the Jaguar dealer...

if you truly want some help, let's figure out what's wrong with YOUR motor...

 

Hi bigfitz52,no one said that you were upset, I was just trying to explain myself and apologise if I needed too. I don't ever set out to offend anyone.
I understand,completely, what you are saying but......
Here's the full story....
I was given the bike as a possible project by a mate of a mate who had taken it to the bike workshop. He was told that there were big prob's and to rectify them would be in excess of £700 . I've taken this as being correct. Perhaps I should not, but the guy that gave me the bike had no reason to mistrust the mechanic as he has known him for many years. the bike, when running, with a new MOT, is only worth about £700 so not worth putting in the workshop.
basic maintenance I can do and have done lots on any number of bikes over the years, but stripping down a motor is, I think, really scary!
What I really need, perhaps, is to find someone nearby who can give a hand to strip it down and replace the necessary bits.
Thanks for your comments and I do understand what you're saying about maintenance and trying to fix the problems.
Do you have any suggestions regarding the gearbox problem?
Regards
Dozer

 

Good luck with your bike. A manual would be a good thing to have around for the swap and future problems.
I spent a few years wrenching on cars, If you can work on a Jag, you can work on anything. :lol: ..... I really miss my MG Midget.

 

I had a bugeye Sprite, a TR4a, and two MGBs along the way as well.

WHO SAID ANYTHING ABOUT STRIPPING DOWN THE MOTOR???

Conclusion jumping continues. INVESTIGATE don't assume.

No stripping required to remove the valve cover; you have to do that to check the valve clearances anyway (ON ANY MOTOR you find.) Basic maintenance. Check the valves while you're in there. Basic maintenance.

No stripping required to check the camchain; and if it's a manual adjuster, adjust the bloody thing. Basic maintenance.

No stripping required to make sure the UPPER camchain guide that I believe those bikes have in the valve cover (that XJs don't) hasn't simply broken loose. You turn the cover you removed over and look in it.

No stripping required (since the valve cover is off, basic maintenance) to take a flashlight and a mirror and inspect the front and rear cam chain guides to be sure they're intact.

No stripping required to fix the clutch; which is likely what you think is a gearbox issue. At some eventual mileage, the clutch is a maintenance item. You remove one cover, and look. It'll look like this inside: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=29541.html

You will need a manual though. And maybe a couple of gaskets. Lots cheaper than another motor (that would need the same things done to it as well.)

Not trying to be hard on you either; but I honestly doubt your bike is as broken as you think it is.

Have you run a compression test (basic maintenance) on this lump yet?

Fixing it will be easier than you think. And by the way, as "interesting" as British cars (and bikes, check my sig) can be; you ain't LIVED until you've worked on a '60s~'70s FIAT or Renault. Talk about improving your vocabulary.