Difference 1972

[MAK]

In my search for a Europa, I think 1972 seems a bit odd, I have seen 3 variants a S2 body, Twin Cam no silver rocker panel, and Twin Cam with silver rocker panels.  I assume the S2 bodied cars are 71's left over and registered in 72. but with the Twin Cam bodies - did owners just take the silver panels off? If not, what are the differences between those that have the panels and those that don't? thanks

[TurboFource]

the silver panels were on "Specials"

[BDA]

The silver panels could possibly be from a Special that someone put on a TC. You could measure the width of the brake drum - the Special had wider brakes but I don't remember what the different widths were. I believe that the Specials all had aluminum wheels but then that's not determinative. If I had to tell if a car was a Special or not, I think I would have to trust the registry to decide by looking up its VIN.

[EuropaTC]

The TC came without the silver panels, that came along with the TCS - TC Specials. It wouldn't surprise me to find some S2 cars registered in '72 but AFAIK they were never fitted with the TC engine, they would be Renault engines.

I'm a bit vague now but I think the TC originally came out with the 336 gearbox as on the S2, this was later changed to the 352 as on my car. At the time of mine, the 365 5sp box wasn't an option although it wouldn't surprise me to hear that it became an option towards the end of the TC run. I'm more comfortable talking about the TC than the TCS but from memory the TCS has wider rear drum brakes and I think the drilling in the rear hub carrier is different. The TC has the same rear brakes as the S2 but the hub carrier moves to a single bolt for the lower link/damper instead of 2 on the earlier cars.

Aside from the lower sill panels and pinstriping there's not a great deal of external difference between the TC & TCS. I've attached the detail production changes as documented in Robinshaw's book on the Europa, it's a good starting point.

Brian

[4129R]

The differences between a Federal 1972 TC and a Federal 1972 TCS

Wider rear drums and different self adjusting brake adjustment.
Different steering column and indicator switches
Different gear lever ball joint holder plate (held to the tunnel with 4 nuts)
No side sill panels on the TC
Rear engine cover badge (obviously)
I am not aware of a TC with a 5 speed gearbox.
Rear chassis hoop under the gearbox is different for a 4 and 5 speed gearbox.
Length of rear gear change rod is slightly different between 4 and 5 speed gearbox.

That is all I can remember for now. I have both.

[Triton]

Was it only Specials that had the Big Valve head or were some late Twin Cams fitted with them as well.

[MAK]

Prior post from: literarymadness back in 2020


The first Special was 2684R. Everything from 2000R to 2685R should be a Twin Cam.  If your number falls in that range, it is a 1972 MY that was registered as a 1973. For it to be a true 73 MY, your Europa should have been built after Sept., 1972. The first four digits on your complete vin should be yymm.

Fed spec Twin Cam (non-Specials) are Big Valve, and their valve covers are painted Red.  Specials have black ones.

[4129R]

Was it only Specials that had the Big Valve head or were some late Twin Cams fitted with them as well.

I believe Federal TC had big valve engines.

I don't think European TC had big valve engines. The later Twin Cam Special appears to be the start point for fitting the big valve engines for European cars.

I cannot trace any TC which has 5 speed 365 gearboxes fitted from new. They seem to be fitted with the 4 speed 352 gearbox.

[BDA]

Prior post from: literarymadness back in 2020


The first Special was 2684R. Everything from 2000R to 2685R should be a Twin Cam.  If your number falls in that range, it is a 1972 MY that was registered as a 1973. For it to be a true 73 MY, your Europa should have been built after Sept., 1972. The first four digits on your complete vin should be yymm.

Fed spec Twin Cam (non-Specials) are Big Valve, and their valve covers are painted Red.  Specials have black ones.

Ha Ha
I was just wishing literarymadness was still posting because he was really into this sort of thing!

4129R and EuropaTC are both right, of course. I think the 365 became available on the Special. The rear uprights and radius arms were different on the Special because of the larger inner? bearing.

Unless you know the car is unmolested, it’s very difficult to be sure if it is a TC or TCS.

[4129R]

Unless you know the car is unmolested, it’s very difficult to be sure if it is a TC or TCS.

Easiest way is to look at the steering column. Does it have wash and 2 speed wipe on one side and indicators and dip/main and horn on the other side, with square ends to the arms, and a large black vinyl box cover around the arms where the steering wheel cover? If it does it is a TCS. If it does not have the wash and the arm ends are thin like normal toggle switch ends, and the covers to the arms are a pair of plastic covers, it is a TC. The columns behind the steering wheel are very different. 

[Dan C 2624R]

Prior post from: literarymadness back in 2020


The first Special was 2684R.  ....  Fed spec Twin Cam ... valve covers are painted Red.  Specials have black ones.

My TC is 72082624R,  Lagoon Blue and I have the "toggle" type steering column but I have a BLACK cam cover.  My car is a TC not a Special.
I am also the second owner (shows 13,675 original miles).  First owner was my high school wood shop teacher.
Long stalled project for me, "something else" for the wife.

Dan

[Cheguava]

My early (November 71) TC has the 336 gearbox, and red (non big valve) cam cover. No silver sill covers.