Hi All,

I live in Portugal.

Classic cars here are very, very costly and the cost of imporation is prohibitive to say the least.

Before I moved here I bought a 300SD from California, 240K Miles. It was my intention to import it, however the rules allowing the import of a thirty year old car without duty changed – it will cost me approximately 12,000 USD to register the car here so that’s out of the question. I still have the car.

Whilst here, I bought a 300D OM617. Low kms – 120K – and it runs so sweetly. It’s a RHD ex South African car.

I’ve just seen an absolute mint-ball 280SE, LHD, locally registered for almost the right money – 190k Kms on the clock.

How much trouble am I asking for if I swap 280 engine into the 300SD, then put the 300D engine into the 280 car along with the turbo from the SD, finally putting the recently normally aspirated engine from the SD into the D?

I’m sure I’ve read that the turbo means a change in oil cooler, and one other important thing that I can’t remember! Is the RHD a problem?

Can anyone give me any advice, please?

Did that make sense?

Thanks!

Best wishes,

Paul