We bought our first xr. Autox/street machine in the making.

Documenting your big project with photos/videos? Have photos/videos to share of anything Merkur related? Place your links to photos and videos here. Please - Merkurs and Merkur-related pictures only. Cosworths welcome!!
Carlisle and event related pictures are to be placed in the relevant section under 'Events'.
Merkur Club web site
catapultkid
Level 5
Level 5
Posts: 521
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2012 8:04 am
Location: Richmond, VA

Re: We bought our first xr. Autox/street machine in the maki

Post by catapultkid »

No car work today but I was able to pick this up from the PO. Keith is a awesome guy.

Picked this up and another t5 and a few a/c lines I'm sure someone will want.

Image

If someone has a write up on how to convert this to a 4 cylinder then please lmk. I'm googling away but havent found anything yet that is substantial.
-Paul
'85 Merkur XR4Ti
K20, VW mk2
'89 K2500, 6.0 swap
'00 Honda Insight
catapultkid
Level 5
Level 5
Posts: 521
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2012 8:04 am
Location: Richmond, VA

Re: We bought our first xr. Autox/street machine in the maki

Post by catapultkid »

Small Update. Pretty soon I'm going to throw this into the Project Threads area, but for now here we go.

Image

Cleaned the valves

Image

Image

Image

Disassembling the blown head.

Image

Image

Used a tub, some gas, little brushes and compressed air to the clean the old head.

Image

Primed

Image

Painted

Image

Valve cover real quick for protection and put in storage until the bottom end is finished.

Later
-Paul
'85 Merkur XR4Ti
K20, VW mk2
'89 K2500, 6.0 swap
'00 Honda Insight
Oldmaddog
Level 2
Level 2
Posts: 160
Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2011 3:03 pm
Location: Hellertown, PA

Re: We bought our first xr. Autox/street machine in the maki

Post by Oldmaddog »

I hope u relapped or reground those valves as some looked like they were worn/pitted.
User avatar
Ray
Level 7
Level 7
Posts: 4338
Joined: Sun Oct 24, 2004 10:40 am
Location: CT, USA

Re: We bought our first xr. Autox/street machine in the maki

Post by Ray »

What exactly went wrong with the old head? I saw head gasket damage pics but i couldn't really see any damage on the head itself. Maybe erosion btwn cyls 1 and 2?
-Ray
1985 Ford F150 - Tow Missile
1985 Merkur XR4Ti -#141 CP "Miss Daisy"
2005 Subaru LGT
http://www.cartct.com
catapultkid
Level 5
Level 5
Posts: 521
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2012 8:04 am
Location: Richmond, VA

Re: We bought our first xr. Autox/street machine in the maki

Post by catapultkid »

The head gasket went on the old head and block. Ran too lean so it melted stuff.

Had some time over the last too days. Finished/made some stuff.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Valves lapped in.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Clocked the intake.

Image

Put a cage in my brother car for next season.

Productive 2.5 days...
-Paul
'85 Merkur XR4Ti
K20, VW mk2
'89 K2500, 6.0 swap
'00 Honda Insight
User avatar
Esteban
Level 7
Level 7
Posts: 1980
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2010 2:07 am
Location: San Diego

Re: We bought our first xr. Autox/street machine in the maki

Post by Esteban »

Smart idea on the intake. Got any pics of the inside? If you're willing, how much would you charge to make another?
User avatar
nathankershaw
Level 5
Level 5
Posts: 683
Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2008 3:11 am
Location: North Hollywood

Re: We bought our first xr. Autox/street machine in the maki

Post by nathankershaw »

I loves me some fab but educate me here, nice work.

Your rotated manifold. Why use the sections of new aluminum tubing instead of just cutting and rotating the old manifold which is the more trodden path?

Does yours flow better?
1987 Merkur XR4Ti. T5 swapped. GAZ gold coilovers. Custom rear strut brace. Polybushed everything. Mustang ten hole wheels. Mercury Tracer front bumper.
catapultkid
Level 5
Level 5
Posts: 521
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2012 8:04 am
Location: Richmond, VA

Re: We bought our first xr. Autox/street machine in the maki

Post by catapultkid »

Here is the best I can do as a picture of the insides right now. We will see how this one goes before I say that I will make some of everyone. Price, IDK.

Image

I could have most likely gutted the upper, clocked it 120*, then re-welded it. But after looking at the mass of metal inside the upper intake I was like hells no. So I went this direction and so far, I am very glad I did. Super easy to make, a lot lighter and should flow a tremendous amount better.
-Paul
'85 Merkur XR4Ti
K20, VW mk2
'89 K2500, 6.0 swap
'00 Honda Insight
DSPXR4ti
Level 7
Level 7
Posts: 1473
Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2006 2:26 pm
Location: San Jose, Calif.

Re: We bought our first xr. Autox/street machine in the maki

Post by DSPXR4ti »

catapultkid wrote:Here is the best I can do as a picture of the insides right now. We will see how this one goes before I say that I will make some of everyone. Price, IDK.

Image

I could have most likely gutted the upper, clocked it 120*, then re-welded it. But after looking at the mass of metal inside the upper intake I was like hells no. So I went this direction and so far, I am very glad I did. Super easy to make, a lot lighter and should flow a tremendous amount better.
When you get it running and you hear a funny noise, put your hand on the the upper intake.

Ben
85 DSP XR4ti, 2009 Solo 2 National Champion, burns muffler, 3in exhaust, Mc2 Full suspension, 325 hps & 328tqr, GMR Intake, Wilwood brakes, Eaton LSD, stand alone ECU. Working on being SM National Champion.
catapultkid
Level 5
Level 5
Posts: 521
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2012 8:04 am
Location: Richmond, VA

Re: We bought our first xr. Autox/street machine in the maki

Post by catapultkid »

True, I'll have to pay attention to any very small leaks in the welds. I was thinking I may just get it powder coated to help.
-Paul
'85 Merkur XR4Ti
K20, VW mk2
'89 K2500, 6.0 swap
'00 Honda Insight
User avatar
Ray
Level 7
Level 7
Posts: 4338
Joined: Sun Oct 24, 2004 10:40 am
Location: CT, USA

Re: We bought our first xr. Autox/street machine in the maki

Post by Ray »

I think Ben was referring more to resonation than leaks. His intake is similar to yours.
-Ray
1985 Ford F150 - Tow Missile
1985 Merkur XR4Ti -#141 CP "Miss Daisy"
2005 Subaru LGT
http://www.cartct.com
catapultkid
Level 5
Level 5
Posts: 521
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2012 8:04 am
Location: Richmond, VA

Re: We bought our first xr. Autox/street machine in the maki

Post by catapultkid »

Huh, Didn't think it would do that. I'm going to have to take a look at Ben's and see whats what.

Thanks

Pics from today.

Image

Picked up a "lightly" used short block. Started cleaning the head surface.

Image

Image

Only concern right now. I can't feel it with my finger nail but its visual.

Image

Rest look good.

Image

Image
-Paul
'85 Merkur XR4Ti
K20, VW mk2
'89 K2500, 6.0 swap
'00 Honda Insight
DSPXR4ti
Level 7
Level 7
Posts: 1473
Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2006 2:26 pm
Location: San Jose, Calif.

Re: We bought our first xr. Autox/street machine in the maki

Post by DSPXR4ti »

This was mine:

Image

Ben
85 DSP XR4ti, 2009 Solo 2 National Champion, burns muffler, 3in exhaust, Mc2 Full suspension, 325 hps & 328tqr, GMR Intake, Wilwood brakes, Eaton LSD, stand alone ECU. Working on being SM National Champion.
catapultkid
Level 5
Level 5
Posts: 521
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2012 8:04 am
Location: Richmond, VA

Re: We bought our first xr. Autox/street machine in the maki

Post by catapultkid »

Ben, I like it. Looks simple and clean. Did you notice any responsiveness/gains from it?
-Paul
'85 Merkur XR4Ti
K20, VW mk2
'89 K2500, 6.0 swap
'00 Honda Insight
DSPXR4ti
Level 7
Level 7
Posts: 1473
Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2006 2:26 pm
Location: San Jose, Calif.

Re: We bought our first xr. Autox/street machine in the maki

Post by DSPXR4ti »

It was good but I wanted more down low, so I got a stock looking one at 90* with longer runners, I'm happy with it.

I'll have to say that mine was only 3.5 ID just to make it around the 4 holes, I was thinking NA again and if you make it to big you've lost velocity. I wish I could've/would've dyno the 2 to see the differance but I'm making a new intake, which will be ready for next year.

Ben
85 DSP XR4ti, 2009 Solo 2 National Champion, burns muffler, 3in exhaust, Mc2 Full suspension, 325 hps & 328tqr, GMR Intake, Wilwood brakes, Eaton LSD, stand alone ECU. Working on being SM National Champion.
Post Reply