These engines aren't bad to rebuild yourself, will cost about $2000 for parts and machine work. Worst thing is new pistons (if you need them).

If the bores are still good, and the pistons are OK, the very worst would be new rods and a crank.

Used engines are about $2500 for low milage ones, although low milage 617s are getting scarce.

If you truely have rod knock and not a spun bearing, you will only need to grind the crank and get the appropriate rod bearings, the rest of it may be OK

However, my brother bought a 300D that aquired a knock when we put decent oil in it -- plugged oil passage to #2 main, spun the bearing, ruined the block, and busted the crank. We got a rebuildable short block for $500, I think, from European Connection in Falmouth, KY. Took a while to find that one, since it was the 75-76 (not interchangeable with later ones). Yours was VERY common, should be no problem to get a good one.

Stay away from Jasper rebuilds -- I've never seen a good one!

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!