I have nothing against the 603 really... Im sure they drive nice and have lots of power but im so in love with the 617. I know it, know were i can get parts for it. The only thing i long for is self-adjusting valves.

Notorious head benders, thats what they are. MB retooled the head and made it too thin for the 420SEL alone. Common knowledge they rarely see 200k miles without blowing a gasket and bending the heads.

But if somebody is looking for a decent MB body shell with blown engine (uncommon to find) then 420SEL's are the way to go.

I'll hold out for my grandmother's 420SEL then. It has ~280k miles now and will still light up the tires. Good thing her car doesn't know that it is on borrowed time

Good luck with the project. Be sure to post pics.

-Tad

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1995 G320
2003 C230 Kompressor Coupe
2005 ML500
2007 ML350

I also see a lot of 420's driving around just fine....I doubt its a "bad" engine....I never see 500's/300's or 380's though. 90% of the time its 420's or 560's around here....

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Any one know if the rear end in the 86 420 and 82 300 SD are the same? I suspect they are different and need to be changed

I'd keep the 420SEL one, it's a 2.47:1 versus the 3.08:1 in the '82 SD. Meaning perfect for in town in 3rd gear and lower freeway RPM at 65-75mph (where most speed limits are currently).

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

If I were doing that I would bring the bone yard car home and have it as close to the "operating room" as possible. I've done a couple simple 240D swaps and I was always running back and forth, I cant imagine all the things your gona deal with.

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

if you can swing it.

tom w

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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.