BTT for this old thread. I am putting a 617 into a Toyota pickup (yes it is a shoe horn).
www.4x4labs.com is finally done with their adapter and it is ready. I'll use their adapter to mate it to GM and then an Advance Adapter to bring it to the Toyota transmission. The 4x4labs adapter includes a custom flywheel designed for the 617 that uses a GM clutch but you must get it balanced yourself. Upon inspection of the Benz flywheel (I wish I had my camera) clearly it is drilled for balance and marked with white paint. It is a low mileage engine that was only messed with by Mercedes Benz but interestingly two bolts are painted white and then they were removed and placed elsewhere. (Again I'll post pictures later). It is interesting.
thanks,
Andre