If you want to transplant an American V8 into your chassis, a small block Chevy would be a poor choice. The oil pan sump is at rear on a Chevy, and your Mercedes engine has a front sump. The distributor on the Chevy is at the rear, too, and would be troublesome to fit against the firewall.

A small block Ford, like a 302, would be a better candidate as the distributor and sump are at the front just like your Mercedes engine.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".