The alt only hits with an escort alt bracket fitted. Use the XR2 one which hangs the alternator down instead in it clears with no cutting.
OP, providing you have a fuel return pipe then its a doodle to do. Off the top of my head you'll need engine, gearbox and shafts, (pretty sure you can use the 1.1 gearbox and shafts though) xr2 cradle and engine mount, xr2 alt bracket and xr2 servo and brake bar and bigger front brakes. Straight fit with no cutting required. Slight mod need to the wiring for the different position of the temp sender and ignition module.
All XR2 MK2s were carbed (even the TT ones). It was when Ford introduced the XR2i MK3 that EFI was used.
Cheers, thought they were (Weber I believe) the MK3 also had 1800 Zetec engines as well, as you know.
Martin