Any Interest in OM603.97X Short Block?

[ChiefRider]

I'm trying to figure out what I should do with this short block.

It has 205k miles on it, a reground crank and bearings with 30k miles. It has one bent rod, in cylinder #1. When I took it out of service, it did not use any lubricating oil- none. I haven't pulled any pistons to inspect, they are all standard, crowns look perfect, bores look great with clear uniform crosshatch readily apparent. A quick check shows bores to be round, but I would need to spend a little more time setting up a bore guage to appropriately characterize their cylindricity.

Should I just haul this to the scrap yard, or what?

thanks!

[ChiefRider]

Just wanted to check again before I decide what to do.

OM603.970 1991 3.5 litre

Excellent reground crank and bearings with approx. 35k miles.

Two of the rods are the latest design from MB, have not pulled this apart to eval. pistons yet.

Any interest? Please let me know.

Thanks.

[TheDon]

Are you wanting to give it away or sell it? Because if you are giving it away I might know of a place I can stash it until I can go strip it and bring the block home.

[ChiefRider]

Well, I'm always looking to add a few bucks to the family coffers, but if I don't have any takers, maybe we can work something out. I hate the thought of scrapping a good block, and the bottom end only has 35k miles on it.

[barry12345]

Since lower blocks are the failure item of those engines. Plus the bores are usually damaged. There could be some demand for that part.

Most members would substittute the 3 litre block but there will be people looking for what you have. Put it in parts for sale. If the crank and bearings fit the 3 litre as well they should be vendable separatly as an option or may help the sale as well.

[ChiefRider]

I think it has found a new home.

I just hate to see something potentially usefull, and so expensive if one needs it, go to waste.