Great transformation on the engine bay, shame the rest looks tatty, yes yes rat look...
If the engine turns over, I suppose a session in the parts wash bucket to remove the jelly and just get what is really needed, gaskets, water pump, bearings?, light hone, check valve stem seals etc and it's good to go.
Or put the Kent over there and go straight to a duratec/zetec option...

Just noticed your location - can't wait to see it running around the neighborhood  

Yes the outside is pretty bad. 
 
It has had a respray at some stage, the outer 'new' paint has worn off, whats showing through is yellow primer, and under that is the original.  Where I have to do rust repairs, I'll see what it is like after a going over with a sander...
 
I bought a cheap gasket kit and water pump. Haven't yet pulled it down further, however yes, i'm hoping for just some rigs maybe bearings and a light going over with the ball hone.  Any further and I'll seriously have to consider my options.
 
I have a few engines here to choose from, and due to budget, unfortunately zetec/duratec isnt on the cards. So ill use what I have before diving into yet another engine platform.  I have 2 running pintos which would almost go straight in. Over the years, I've acquired a modified escort R &P front end to suit and also have a capri front end.  If I have to go pinto, I'll do the swap at the same time. 
 
My intention is to get everything running and sorted mechanically. Hopefully that will stop me from going to overboard with the body (I don't want this to turn into a long term project) and keep me motivated enough to keep things moving.
 
Shaun

It quickly became apparent that I was going to need a donor car in order to replace the many rusty and missing sections. So the hunt was on for a sedan.
 
Whilst many panels are similar to the sedan, there are also some differences.
 
The rear doors have a different shape and glass.
The rear lower quarters have a different profile
C pillars and roofline are different.
The chassis is different in the rear as well as fuel tank, rear suspension etc.
Front seats are different, they have the centre locking strip on the transmission tunnel like an early MK1 escort.
 
I managed to pick up a donor shell at a very good price.
It had been in a flood at some stage as all the sills and chassis were filled with red river sand making cutting with the plasma challenging. The engine and gearbox were seized. it had no interior and would've been headed for scrap. I had no problem sacrificing it to save another.
 
Only problem was I was under very strict instructions not to buy any more cars......   So, whilst the wife and kids were away on a scout camp, I made the most of my time.  Plan was to collect the car, cut it up, and dispose of the evidence. All within a weekend.
 
Didnt get much sleep Friday and sat nights, luckily the weather played ball, and i got it done.
 
Grabbed what I could in the limited time I had.
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Rear door differences...
 

Initial engine teardown...
 
Mixed results. 
 
Not as bad as I expected, however piston 1 has taken an absolute hammering.
 
Detonation or foreign object??? Crown has really taken a beating, even mushroomed the edges slightly.
 
Now to weigh up my options.....
 
 

 
 
 
 

I was going dob you in for destroying a decent shell but when I read it was a sunken car and water locked the engine etc, your forgiven .
Doing a stealth buy cut and dispose is always a worry but lucky you got away with it 😜.
I did the same with a escort mk1 4dr ex Rally car, bought for $120, then bought a sawzall to rip onto it, it done in the Hilux ute all in 6hrs !!

At least not you've got plenty of panels to play with to get the wagon mostly done. Are the back door skins the same, looks like only the window channel is different ?

That's a heck of a lot of damage, the person driving it must have had the hearing aids turned off! 

Number 1 would need a bore after that I would think, is probably oval and tapered now. 

martymexico

At least not you've got plenty of panels to play with to get the wagon mostly done. Are the back door skins the same, looks like only the window channel is different ?

Skins are the same (i think), yes, just frames and glass that differ.
 
Plenty of rust repair sections. Nothing is easy though.  Between the 2 cars I dont have a single straight swap.  I.e. each panel is either bent/dented rusty or both.
 
At least I've got plenty of metal to work with.
 
Still need to work out whether to persist with the 1600 or go with what I am more familiar with and just stick a pinto in,
 
 
 
 

PartTimeMK2
That's a heck of a lot of damage, the person driving it must have had the hearing aids turned off! 

It was last driven by a very senior gentleman so highly likely!!!
 

PartTimeMK2
Number 1 would need a bore after that I would think, is probably oval and tapered now. 

 
Agreed. New pistons and machine work isn't something I was planning on.  $$$$
Might have to look for another running 1600 or go with one of the spare running pintos I have here. decisions decisions....
 
It is the original block, so if I go that way I'll keep it under the bench should I ever have a change of heart.
 
Shaun