I went to the junkyard today and looked through all the MBs that were 5-cyl Turbo-diesels. The nicest engine seemed to be in an '85 300D with 166946 miles. The 'yard says the engine runs fine and they'd like $600 for it. I could probably get them to throw in some nice seats and a hood ornament in on the deal as well. Does that seem like a fair price? Oh yeah- they pull it and set it in the bed of my truck.

They didn't have any 240Ds at all, so I'm still on the look-out for a cast-iron 4-speed manual.

$600 sounds like a lot to me. I can't see a yard charging more than $100 to pull an engine, and the self-service yards I frequent only charge about $200 for an engine with all the components on it.

On the other hand, I paid $400 for my engine, already pulled, with assurances that it had 167k miles, ran well, and it was missing injectors and the turbo. I did get a transmission thrown it as well, but it had a hole punched in the pan that broke the valve body. The engine in fact has done very well now.

If you have other options, look at them first before dropping $600, but if the engine comes with everything and has a good service history, go for it.

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'83 240D with 617.952 and 2.88
'01 VW Beetle TDI
'05 Jeep Liberty CRD
'89 Toyota 4x4, needs 2L-T
'78 280Z with L28ET - 12.86@110
Oil Burner Kartel #35

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...oD/bioclip.jpg

I paid $130 for my junkyard motor and trans.

They delivered the car to me, but I pulled the engine.

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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

best if you can listen to the motor run. this can be done even with the motor out of the car. it isnot easy but it is a good idea... they will often warrant the motor but the warranty will not cover your labor to r and r it, so it is best to listen to it run. with a diesel a jumper cable and spraying wd40 into the intake will make it run and you can verify sound rings valves etc.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

compression and leakdown test will speak volumes about the condition of the engine too....

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche