I parked my '86 300SDL for the winter and just brought it out this weekend. Unfortunately, the winter's rest did not magically heal the cracked cylinder head symptoms. So it's either a head replacement or the possibilty of replacing the motor with one from a flood damaged '87 300TD with a "22" cylinder head ( No water damage to the engine). My question is this TD engine 100% compatible with my SDL?

I remember from my 123 days that the TD engine had an extra port for the hydraulic suspension pump which could be adapted to work in a sedan with a cover plate.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Why replace the entire engine if you can get the #22 head off the TD?

cause the owner is selling the motor (already out of the car) as a complete unit. I assume I could buy the head for the same price as the engine.

I need one of those for a 123, do you remember a part number or a place that sells it?

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

Well, I suppose that you need to weigh the condition of both engines. But, I would think that swapping the head is a whole lot easier than pulling the entire engine. This would certainly apply if there are any "issues" with the TD engine that require you to swap parts from the SDL engine.

Brian, thanks for the advice.

From your comments can I assume that the head is the same on the on the TD engine as it is on the SDL engine and that the motors can be swapped without a problem if need be?

John, check this forum concerning a cover plate but I would think it would not be a big deal to fabricate one from 1/8" steel. Drill some holes and put a gasket under it.

Well, I'm fairly sure that the heads are completely interchangeable between the engines.

As far as the engines go, I don't have any specific knowledge of that swap so I cannot comment, but, if I had to guess, I can't see why the TD engine cannot be used. As you have mentioned, there may be some superflous parts on the TD related to the hydropneumatic suspension, but, that certainly won't stop the show.

The basic engines are 100% compatible--no difference whatsoever. Unlike the earlier OM61X engines, the hydraulic suspension pump isn't attached to the head, it's combined in tandem with the power steering pump.

Get both engines leak down tested and compression tested. See which one is stronger and take it from their.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200