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  #1  
Old 03-11-2006, 08:04 PM
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Location: Iowa City, IA
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To part or not to part a Rusty 1980 300CD

Dilema -- I have a
1981 300D in decent shape but the engine which has massive blow by, (air filter change ever 3000 miles) and wont start in cold. No compression test yet but do have tester and will test soon. This is my daily driver and i just installed a greasel kit on it. It runs fine but has issues. Has starter issue in cold and i will need that soon. That is probably cold start issue if compression test passes (not likely). It leaks oil pretty bad and smokes.

A week after i bought abeve car I bought a 1980 300CD for $500.00. It is rusty -- jacking points, a rear floor board gone, holes in a quarter panel. It is from up north. The engine fires right up in the cold with single short glow. 160,000 on working odometer. Very little blow by if any. Does not leak oil. Drives slow like it has tranny issues but there is no flare , just soft shifts. Maybe some brakes are sticking. It has an engine block heater. I bought it cause i was hoping to have a stylish beater or fixer uper, and worst case a good parts car. Power windows and sunroof work. Lights all work. Original looking Becker non electronic stereo. Blue outside and blue texmex. If it was not rusty it would be great to cherry out i think.

So, the dilema -- i hate to part out a classic looking car like this if someone could restore it. I can't. Would anyone want to? How much would you give for it? But , seeing as i need a new engine and starter soon, taking Blue Rusty's engine and starter would probably be the most economical and easiesst for me unless this car could fetch a pretty penny. Plus, i have to get rid of a car .


Questions if anyone can help:

A) Would anyone want to restore a rusty 1980 300CD with a good engine? If so i will post pics. How much could i hope to get for it?

B) How much does a complete overhaul cost on a 617 NA? A lot more than an engine swap i'm guessing or even a used engine from pull a part (which i would be scared of).

C) Would anyone want a rusty 1980 300CD carcass ?

D) How long does a 617 engine swap take for a couple of experienced shadetrees with a garage, engine only, no tranny?

Thanks for any help.

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1975 300D, 1975 240D, 1985 300SD, 1997 300D, 2005 E320 , 2006 Toyota Prius
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  #2  
Old 03-11-2006, 08:31 PM
sailor15015's Avatar
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Norman, Oklahoma
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I'm sort of in the same boat you are. My '85 was hit and the rear end is completely trashed. The motor's great and I found a body that has a bad motor in a junk yard. I've about got the good motor ready to come out. I haven't actually pulled it but I've got everything apart that's necessary for removal(I'm pulling the engine and tranny as a unit). Unless I have some serious issues with the actual removal, I'd say its not as hard of a job as you'd expect. My step-dad found an engine hoist at the local Sam's Club for about $200. I'd say do the swap.
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1984 300D 225K
1985 300D Donor body
1985 300D Turbo 165K. Totaled. Donor Engine. It runs!!!
1980 300SD 311K My New Baby.
1979 BMW 633csi 62K+++? Dead odo
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  #3  
Old 03-11-2006, 09:03 PM
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I think i have a perfect parts car.

Quote:
Originally Posted by sailor15015
I'm sort of in the same boat you are. My '85 was hit and the rear end is completely trashed. The motor's great and I found a body that has a bad motor in a junk yard. I've about got the good motor ready to come out. I haven't actually pulled it but I've got everything apart that's necessary for removal(I'm pulling the engine and tranny as a unit). Unless I have some serious issues with the actual removal, I'd say its not as hard of a job as you'd expect. My step-dad found an engine hoist at the local Sam's Club for about $200. I'd say do the swap.
Thanks. I think your right. Thats what i thought. I have a perfect parts car. I would not think twice about it if this were not a CD and I did not like its style so much. Also those are sought after I have heard. Hate to see her chopped up but i think it may be time to let her rust in peace. It would probably never bring as much as I could get from it in parts. Even if I gave everything away except the engine. And if anoone was to buy it , they would need to invest more money than they could ever expect to get back from it anytime soon.

thanks.
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1975 300D, 1975 240D, 1985 300SD, 1997 300D, 2005 E320 , 2006 Toyota Prius
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  #4  
Old 03-11-2006, 11:30 PM
t walgamuth's Avatar
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Location: Lafayette Indiana
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so

how's the interior and where are you?

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.
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  #5  
Old 03-11-2006, 11:39 PM
JimmyL's Avatar
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Quote:
Originally Posted by t walgamuth
how's the interior and where are you?

tom w
Are you looking for a CD interior? Color?
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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John
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  #6  
Old 03-12-2006, 01:24 AM
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Do an engine swap.

You can sell the rest or part it out in time and get some moolah.
For $500, you got the engine!!! and your old engine for parts $$$$$.

try posting your locale.
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1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD
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  #7  
Old 03-12-2006, 08:43 AM
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Location: Iowa City, IA
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You can email me parts requests.

I'm in middle TN. the interior is below average i would say. The driver seat is good and comfy, lots of support on the sides. The passenger seat sits at a slant. I gorrilla glued some wood panelling back on.

The more i think about it the car is probably too far gone to be good for anything but a parts car. Lots of corrosion damage probably out of sight and salt just seems to corrode everything.

thanks all. Ill post when i'm ready to part it out.
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What Would Rudolph Do?
1975 300D, 1975 240D, 1985 300SD, 1997 300D, 2005 E320 , 2006 Toyota Prius
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  #8  
Old 03-12-2006, 06:35 PM
Panzermann's Avatar
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B) How much does a complete overhaul cost on a 617 NA?

- About $4000 for a rebuilt unit

A lot more than an engine swap i'm guessing or even a used engine from pull a part (which i would be scared of).

-I vote for the engine swap

C) Would anyone want a rusty 1980 300CD carcass ?

-You can strip it of a lot of parts and donate the carcass to you charity of choice. IRS has changed the rules, and you can only deduct off you taxes the amount that the car brings at auction, but the value of the stripped parts and the modest deduction should make it worthwhile. Alternatively, you can send it to a junkyard and get what they're paying for scrap.

D) How long does a 617 engine swap take for a couple of experienced shadetrees with a garage, engine only, no tranny?

-Easiest if your switching the entire unit (engine/transmission). Splitting them makes it more complicated and opens possibility of damaging transmission when pulling apart (I know: this happened to me). Pure moving of engine (not doing any replacement of worn out parts, which is a worthwhile exercise, because it is never easier than when the engine is out of the car) can be comfortably accomplished by a non-pro in two weekends. Remember: you actually have to remove two engines!

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1991 420SEL 201K "The Big Blue One"
1985 300DT 205K chassis/285K engine nee California emissions "Goldbug"
1983 300TDT 255K "The Womble"
1983 300 DT 214K "Sea Sprite"-Rear-ended a truck
1983 300SD 285K "The Donor" Gave his life so that others can live
1980 500SL Euro 105K "Der Panzer"
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