Author Topic: Merkur engine into Europa?  (Read 730 times)

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Offline TurboFource

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Merkur engine into Europa?
« on: Friday,January 17, 2020, 05:28:41 AM »
Just thinking ahead to when I get a Europa. I have the complete 2.3 Turbo drivetrain
Out of a 1986 Merkur XR4Ti. I believe it will bolt to the twin cam bell housing. Has anyone put
A 2.3 Ford in a Europa? It would just be to get the a car on the road if need be and then rebuild the original engine. The 2.3 Is a tough and reliable motor but not very light weight. I have put over 250,000 miles on one and it still ran great and pulled hard on boost!
 
The more I do the more I find I need to do....remember your ABC’s …anything but chinesium!

Offline tedtaylor

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Re: Merkur engine into Europa?
« Reply #1 on: Friday,January 17, 2020, 06:08:39 AM »
 :o :headbanger: ???   sounds like a lot of work for a temporary fix.   I'm never a fan of non-original engine configurations, resto-mods, or anything non OEM spec.
nice to know there are those with lots of energy and spare time on their hands! :)
TED
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owned nearly 50 Lotus cars over the years!
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Offline TurboFource

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Re: Merkur engine into Europa?
« Reply #2 on: Friday,January 17, 2020, 06:55:24 AM »
Just thinking......would prefer to keep original engine. As for time, I am off Monday's so that will become Europa day  8)
The more I do the more I find I need to do....remember your ABC’s …anything but chinesium!

Offline gideon

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Re: Merkur engine into Europa?
« Reply #3 on: Friday,January 17, 2020, 08:44:34 AM »
The Merkur XRTi has a Lima engine, which may not bolt up to the Kent pattern bellhousing.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ford_bellhousing_patterns#Lima_pattern

Offline Chuck Nukem

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Re: Merkur engine into Europa?
« Reply #4 on: Friday,January 17, 2020, 08:46:36 AM »
You might be able to source a low mile zetec for cheap. I grabbed one with 30k miles out of a grandmother driven '96 contour for $300 bucks...

Offline Certified Lotus

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Re: Merkur engine into Europa?
« Reply #5 on: Friday,January 17, 2020, 09:27:55 AM »
Personally I would spend the time and money to work on the original engine. Even better, buy a Europa that already runs.....

Offline Clifton

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Re: Merkur engine into Europa?
« Reply #6 on: Friday,January 17, 2020, 11:15:10 AM »
I love engine swaps especially with EFI but I wouldn't go that route. I would say the Zetec or a 5 valve 4AGE or rebuild what you have.

Online BDA

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Re: Merkur engine into Europa?
« Reply #7 on: Friday,January 17, 2020, 11:39:19 AM »
The Zetec would be the simplest because your biggest challenges would be motor mounts and exhaust (and finding a TC bell housing). The Toyota motor is a great motor but in addition to exhaust and motor mounts, it requires at least an adapter plate for the bell housing.

Offline TurboFource

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Re: Merkur engine into Europa?
« Reply #8 on: Friday,January 17, 2020, 12:52:30 PM »
If money was no issue I would buy your beautiful car Certified!

But it is a concern and with my budget I am trying to research
all possibilities before hand  ;)

I appreciate evryone's input and patience with me!!!
The more I do the more I find I need to do....remember your ABC’s …anything but chinesium!