Cougar Engine Swaps

**Kingsley** · 23-09-2016, 03:10 PM

Looks our 99 Cougar has a dead cylinder. The options are find a second hand replacement or tow it the wreckers.
Whats needed to swap engines between different year models? I understand the '99 2.5 engine with fuel return is different to non fuel return models (00-on) and may need the transfer of a number of components. Has anyone done the a swap using a later model Cougar engine or even a 3.0L swap? Any help would be appreciated.

**Mechan1k** · 24-09-2016, 10:17 AM

Is this the same engine as the Probe as well???
Not sure if they were shared with Mazda as well.

I do know withe the Probe ... there were a number of running changes over the years and there were enough differences to be a pain.

**Kingsley** · 24-09-2016, 04:45 PM

Seems to be the same with the Cougar. Early type had fuel return line from the mainfold to the tank and the later ones dont which from what I can find, you need to change timing covers etc.

**Mechan1k** · 24-09-2016, 04:47 PM

That ... and a bunch of sensors are different as well.

REDDYZ · 24-09-2016, 09:27 PM

Probe engine is totally different to Cougar. You can find cougar engines in the following 2000-2003 models:

Jaguar X-Type 2.5 (only intake manifold is different)
Ford Taurus 3.0 (bigger block rest same but you would need engine mount from Cougar)
Mazda MPV (Same engine)
Ford escape (different intake manifold, 3L blocks in latest models and need lot of other items to swap)
Mazda Tribute (its Ford escape with different badge.

There are few others like Ford mondeo V6 but are rare finds on this continent.

.:4:. · 24-09-2016, 09:54 PM

It would probably be cheaper to buy a 2.5l x type jag. If you buy one you also buy the gearbox troubles etc. My old man won't let go of his, regardless of the problems, it's comfy to ride in, when it goes...

**Kingsley** · 25-09-2016, 11:12 AM

It's a good little car when it's working. However Cougars seem to be very problematic compounded by hard to find parts to fit the exact model you have. There's always the feeling of how and where its going to fail next and how hard will it be to fix.

thearrow · 26-09-2016, 01:58 PM

I owned a 2000 model Cougar for 12 years (that's mine the "dead one") and can recommend Rockauto.com for any and all parts you may need.

If you are going to do an engine swap then you should join newcougar.org where this subject is covered extensively and where there are plenty of other guys who have done it.

Good luck with it.

WildRacer · 23-06-2020, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darren290

Seems to be the same with the Cougar. Early type had fuel return line from the mainfold to the tank and the later ones dont which from what I can find, you need to change timing covers etc.

Sorry for bumping, but I thought I'd post this to clear up any misinformation for future reference.

ALL Cougar 2.5l engines 99-01 in Australia and Europe came with the Return style, for whatever reason Ford Europe decided to keep the return style fuel system and only the mid-99 above in the US had the returnless style.

Anyone wanting to attempt the 3.0l will need to rig an adapter up to convert the Returnless 3.0l Escape system to Return or purchase the NPG Adapter.