I have been considering putting a 300 sd turbo diesel into my starcraft for some time now. I know that this motor was used (mainly in germany) for industrial use. Does anyone know where i could get an industrail bell housing and 3 position transmision (forward, reverse, neutral). I think I have most everything else figured out.

I think that the website http://www.mbz.org might be able to lead you to some people who might be able to help. It seems like a very diverse group. Good luck and smooth sailing!

I'm suprised no one reffered you to me, (as being the resident Boat expert You can get a Borg Wagner trannsmission from almost any boat motor dealer. Also you must remeber to think about the changes in the fresh water cooling system and other such modifications you must do. I have seen a add in Boating magazine advertising trannies , here's the places phone number its in Mass (I've never been there I'm on Long Island)however a friend of mine ordered a engine from them and got great service (508) 791-4917. I have a 27 foot Grady White with twin Mercruisers. What about you ?

__________________
"Damn the torpedos, four bells full speed ahead"
-Admiral Farragut




-1987 300E Smoke Silver
-1997 S320 Black on Black
-Soon To be E55 AMG
-27 foot Grady White Offshore Sportfish.

I have a 1975 Richlin Sportsman with a 5.5 Ted Williams outboard. How's that for wimpy? I couldn't resist. I hope you don't mind. I am rather proud of my Ted Williams motor. They fetch a mighty price on Ebay and mine was found on the curb, in the garbage. I filed and adjusted the points and it started right up in a garbage can full of water.

Thank you for your information i hope it will prove to be helpful. I have a borg warner transmision however it was ment for a chrysler 318. I am having difficulty making a bell housing for this combination of MB to a velvet drive. I am currently fishing from a '79 wellcraft center console step v 20 powered by an omc 275. Im sure your information will be helpful and thanks again.
mike

A friend of mine had a WellCraft Step V 20 Dual Console. 1989, I loved the boat, for its size it ran great, better than any other 20 footer that I was ever on. He had a 200 merc on it and we flew. He now has a Grady White similar to mine, and loves it as well. Call That place (I think its called Doug Russels Marine or something) I guarantee that they have a heavy duty tranny that can take the 300SD motor. Where are you from. ? I'm on Long Island.

__________________
"Damn the torpedos, four bells full speed ahead"
-Admiral Farragut




-1987 300E Smoke Silver
-1997 S320 Black on Black
-Soon To be E55 AMG
-27 foot Grady White Offshore Sportfish.

This post brought to mind what I saw at the Mercedes museum in Stuttgart.

One of the very first internal comubustion engine boats is in the museum. Daimler or Benz, I don't remember which, built the boat and disguised the engine. The whole idea as I remember was the novelty of being seen in a boat that seemed to move with no visible means of power. I can't remember the story behind the engine disguise.

If I remember correctly, this may have been the first powered boat of it's type.

It seems that the diesel Benz would be an ideal marine engine.

Good luck,

The marine enviroment is tough on just about any engine. The best used so far in the marine industry are the new Yanmars put out by the Japs. They are the best combo of durability, power and efficency. The most durable motors though are the Cummins and Lugger diesels. Most commercial fishing vessels have this power set up. I have no doubt however that MBZ can produce a fantastic marine version. AS a matter of fact I think they did come out with a series of diesels that are run in Italian built yachts like certain Aziumit etc.

__________________
"Damn the torpedos, four bells full speed ahead"
-Admiral Farragut




-1987 300E Smoke Silver
-1997 S320 Black on Black
-Soon To be E55 AMG
-27 foot Grady White Offshore Sportfish.

It is odd that you have not found any info on putting a 300D engine into a boat. A few years back I met a fisherman that built his own fishing boat, steel hull, and put a 300D into it. I would think that someone in Europe would have a Marinized version.
If you get totally stumped please e-mail me and I will ask a few people that might know.
Mark.

BENZFANATIC,

Call that place I agve you the phone number to up. I can almsot gurantee that they will have a tranny. AS for the Bell housing I'll find out tomorrow when I stop by at my marina, and ask the mechanic.

__________________
"Damn the torpedos, four bells full speed ahead"
-Admiral Farragut




-1987 300E Smoke Silver
-1997 S320 Black on Black
-Soon To be E55 AMG
-27 foot Grady White Offshore Sportfish.

Wouldn't a closed system (keel cooler) or a heat exchanger be the way to go? The idea of MB in a boat has teased me for awhile also. I presently am working on a 1946 Richardson with a 115 HP Chrysler in it. I'd think the TD would be the nuts. 'Couldn't be heavier than that straight six. Steve

Thanks for all the help,
I will try to call that marina as soon as possible. As for my boat you are right it does ride like a dream. I will never get rid of it, but this new boat i have sceeming will be alot of fun and i think it wilkl be hard to decide allthough they will be two different kinds of boats.

One would have to use a Heat Exchanger to cool the engine. Raw water cooling system would destroy the engine fast. Using the heatexchanger method, only part of the cooling system will be exposed to the corrosive effects of saltwater. Where do you go out of.?

__________________
"Damn the torpedos, four bells full speed ahead"
-Admiral Farragut




-1987 300E Smoke Silver
-1997 S320 Black on Black
-Soon To be E55 AMG
-27 foot Grady White Offshore Sportfish.

I am on a trailer so I go out of anywhere but is usually somewhere around mid-bay where the chesapeake bay is really where ever the fishing is hot that week. The water around here is brackish and i flush my engine every use so im not worried about corrosion but i agree with you and on my next boat I do plan to have an heat exchanger. Especially during those summer trips to florida when you can put a hook in sea water and literaly whatch it disolve.

Found this little thread in the archives. I've been thinking about this for several years. What a great motor the 617 would be for a boat.

__________________
85 300sd 400k
99 e300td 101k (hers)
34' californian twin 5.9 cummins
1999 F350 Powerjoke 75k
2001 F150 Supercrew 51k
19681/2 GT/CS