1993 Mercury Tracer engine code

[fud24682000]

Sorry, I can't find a decent Escort/ Tracer site to tell me this: A 1993 Tracer wagon was given to a local charity and may be for sale. I'm told it needs a timing belt and that it's a non-interference engine. I haven't been able to look under the hood but did check the VIN. The 10th digit is P, meaning it should be a 1993, but the 8th digit is J and it should either be a 9 for a 1.9 or an 8 for a 1.8. I checked twice to make sure I wrote down the VIN correctly. I can't figure what other engine could be in it. Any ideas? Thanks, Ray Mac.

[TigerDan]

I can't help with the engine code, sorry.

My dad had a Tracer of the same vintage with the 1.9 (which I believe is the most common engine for a Tracer.) It should be one of the two, I don't believe any other engine was used in them.

He lost the timing belt coming back from Chico which I replaced, so I can verify that it is indeed a non-interference engine. As I recall, the parts store told me there were two timing belt possibilties, fortunately the one they had in stock was the correct one. Also, they are very prone to cracking heads when overheated...so don't!

[fud24682000]

OK, thanks. Apparently I got the wrong engine code information. I went to ebay and found out all the 1.9's listed for sale have J as the 8th digit.

Ray Mac