I’m actually considering the swap of a junkyard 617 into an older Isuzu Trooper that a freind just gave to me. It has the GM 2.8 V-6 which is completely shot – burnt valve & bad head gasket @ 170,000.

The rationale for the potential swap is that I live in California; the Isuzu cannot be registered here due to the smog requirements / engine problems. Diesels do not require annual smog inspections – so a conversion to a diesel, with the proper documentation, should make a good choice. There’s so much room under the hood, and the Isuzu is such a crude farm-implement type of vehicle anyways, that it seems like a perfect fit. I’ll need to fabricate some mounts, jury-rig the plumbing, and best of all – I get to use my favorite tools: a sledgehammer & lots of duct tape.

I’ll let you know if I decide to Frankenstein this thing during the upcoming summer …


RTH

__________________
Current rolling stock:
2001 E55 183,000+ Newest member of the fleet.
2002 E320 83,000 - The "cream-puff"!
1992 500E 217,000+
1995 E300D 412,000+
1998 E300D 155,000+
2001 E320 227,000+
2001 E320 Wagon, 177,000+

Prior MBZ’s:
1952 220 Cab A
1966 300SE
1971 280SE
1973 350SLC (euro)
1980 450SLC
1980 450SLC (#2)
1978 450SLC 5.0
1984 300D ~243,000 & fondly remembered
1993 500E - sorely missed.
1975 VW Scirocco w/ slightly de-tuned Super-Vee engine - Sold after 30+ years.