Diesel Jag Conversion - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Brian Carlton · #31 03-30-2006, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whunter

I disagree, it makes good sense, and I would buy it.

Have a great day.

.........yep........you're the 1 in 1,000,000.

boneheaddoctor · #32 03-30-2006, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OMEGAMAN

The Small block chevy while a simpler engine is more efficient and makes more power, and is more reliable than either engine with less weight. Thats why its a popular swap.

not to mentiom that it came with th400 trans (gm made those)[/QUOTE]TH400 was a brutal strong transmission...I have one in my truck...My brothers Corvette has one.

MT_Merc · #33 03-30-2006, 09:43 PM

If you want a car to drop a 617 that's ready to go into, find a 123 or 126 with a trashed motor. Not to be discouraging, but something like this takes a lot of work to pull off, and you have to be either very dedicated to the project or experienced enough to make overcoming the sorts of difficulites you run into a matter of routine. If it were me, I would either fix the V-12 or unload the car. I also am not a fan of the 350 Cheby as the universal answer to a vehicle in need of costly repairs to its original engine/tranny. 302 Ford swaps I'm a little more friendly to, but it falls under the same heading.
The 617 in a Jag, or whatever other largish sedan, is an idea that would be tempting if it were somehow a retroactive factory option. But engine swaps are always problematic to some degree, I would say Mercedes engines are probably some of the least promising candidates in terms of the simplicity of the swap, and the 617 is doesn't have that much to recommend it beyond duribility. One thing I do wish is that there were someone selling brand new modern diesel engines for the purpose of swapping into existing vehicles. It'd be something that would be a lot more feasible for trucks than cars, a 4-liter six-cylinder CDI would be a nice fit for the family van, but it's not something that I see happening either way. Sadly, all the car companies are more interested in having us buy cars designed for someone else, it seems.

andersbenz · #34 03-30-2006, 11:50 PM

I have always admired the XJS. They can be great cars. Here is a pretty amazing book. Close to 700 pages written by a XJS enthusiast--close to 700 word document pages. Some day I will have one of these Jags.

http://www.nettally.com/palmk/jaguar.html

Help for the Jaguar XJ-S Owner
by Kirby Palm

An excerpt:

"SHOPPING FOR A USED XJ S

If you are considering the purchase of a used XJ S, there is one very important thing to do: Insist upon having a compression check performed -- by an independent mechanic, if possible. On a V12, one or two bad cylinders can easily go unnoticed on a test drive if you aren’t familiar with how the Jaguar should drive.
If any cylinders read lower than the rest by more than 10% or so, be aware that an engine overhaul will cost thousands. You will probably decide to pass on the car unless it is really cheap and you plan on engine work anyway.
Note that it is unusually difficult to pull the spark plugs on this car, so a compression check will involve a couple hours labor on the part of your mechanic. Money well spent.
One other noteworthy comment regards mileage. If properly maintained, the Jaguar can easily pass 200,000 miles before any major renovation is needed. So, the prospective Jaguar buyer would be well advised to pay a little less attention to what the odometer says and a little more attention to the completeness of the maintenance records.
As far as everything else on the car is concerned, it’s pretty much the same as buying any other car. Bodywork and repainting are always expensive, and are more so on a Jaguar. Rust is always a call for concern. Apparent bodges or slipshod repairs are signs of trouble.
If you’re really a careful shopper, read this entire book first. It will give you a really good..."

Diesel Giant · #35 03-31-2006, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

Sorry, I have to disagree with you Jimmy.

Why would you take a beautiful, smooth and powerful V-12 and replace it with a smelly old 5 cylinder diesel??

Doesn't make any sense.

Completely trashes the value of the vehicle and requires an extraordinary amount of work.

There is nothing magical about the 617 engine. It's a durable workhorse that tends to it's business in the sedans that it was originally manufactured for. To consider it for a high performance luxury sedan that was originally equipped with a V-12 is ludicrous.

Because the Jag has a stinking gasoline engine! I am with you MBNY, dropping in an oil burner will certainly make the car more interesting. V-12, V-8 they all use the wrong fuel and those stupid spark plugs.

Can you tell I dislike gas engines?

#36 03-31-2006, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel Giant

spark plugs

Whats that?

Ara T. · #37 03-31-2006, 06:14 AM

V12 going 200K without a rebuild?
Oh yeah!? Well, a 617 goes AT LEAST a million miles with only 3K oil changes before needing a rebuild!!!!!1111111111

MBNY · #38 03-31-2006, 09:28 AM

Great discussion going, however, the conversion
was only speculated on because I happen to have
the Jag & Mercedes available. The Jag has been
sitting for ten years and my wife said she didn't want
it sitting around anymore. I have a 350 chevy ready to be
dropped into it with the supports kit etc., but I just kept
putting it off. I have a mechanic friend who is a genius with
mechanics and if it wasn't for him I would not have
the Mercedes I have now. Anyway it was he who
suggested the conversion and wanted to give it a try.

The conversion is not about resale, but about trying out
and knowledge. I initially said no way. It was a challenge
for him, plus if he went anywhere with the conversion
and popped the hood it would make a great conversation
piece and would definitely lead to more work. He took my
1980 300 SD and tweaked the engine and surprises
and beats new Mercedes owners on the highway.

I originally started this discussion in the thought that
it would lead to technical discussion on how to overcome
the technicalities we might encounter.
For example:I will be able to start the engine.... but how do I shut
it off? I will not have the vacuum lines. That todays question.

I have the answer. What do you say.

Stable
1984 300SD 73,000
1983 300SD 160,000
1980 300SD 173,000
1980 300SD 230,000
1978 300SD 160,000
1978 450SEL 130,000
1977 450SLC 104,000
1974 450SEL 220,000
1987 300E Recently deseased

Brian Carlton · #39 03-31-2006, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBNY

I originally started this discussion in the thought that
it would lead to technical discussion on how to overcome
the technicalities we might encounter.
For example:I will be able to start the engine.... but how do I shut
it off? I will not have the vacuum lines. That todays question.

I have the answer. What do you say.

Shutoff is relatively simple. Use a vacuum solenoid to provide vacuum to the shutoff valve. When you want to shut the engine down, flip the "off" switch inside the cabin. Just don't forget to flip it back "on" when you get in the next time.

BTW, you can put all those vehicles in a "signature"..........you sure don't want to type them everytime you post. Check out the "user CP". There is a link at the left end of the blue bar at the top of the page.

Hatterasguy · #40 03-31-2006, 06:10 PM

Its a V12! Does anything more need to be said? Ok drive a V12 powerd Jag in good tune and then say you want to replace it with a 617.

They were very expensive cars new and so will cost a lot to keep on the road. But as a bargin V12 coupe you can't beat them, if you want a cheap ride look somewhere else they are not ment to be that. They were built to be expensive, fast, comfortable, sharp looking cars.

btw the M120 which is a better engine then the Jag 12 is pretty much two M104s sharing a commen crank. I see no reason that it couldn't pass 300k+ miles without the usual stuff. Actualy I have seen a couple S600's with pretty close to 300k on them.

t walgamuth · #41 04-01-2006, 09:35 PM

is one of those threads.

resale will not be easy, unless you catch roy on a weak day.

the oil pump is not easy to relocate so modifying the cross member is prob the way to go.

the xj6s were offered in europe with a 2.4 version of the venerable six. i should think that they werent much more powerful than a good running 617 turbo.

and now jags are offered in europe with diesels, i believe i read recently.

tom w

CSchmidt · #42 04-01-2006, 10:16 PM

Maybe the oil pump can't be moved... and I don't know what a 617 oil pump looks like. On many american V8's there is a tube that is attached to the actual pump. This can be a short or a long tube allowing it suck oil from a front or rear sump pan for the same engine. Is this possible for the 617?

Chuck

t walgamuth · #43 04-01-2006, 10:30 PM

an american v8. it is a big sturdy cast thing that doesnt lend itself to being relocated.

tom w

crashone · #44 10-31-2010, 11:30 PM

Does anyone know what ever happened with this?

whunter · #45 11-01-2010, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crashone

Does anyone know what ever happened with this?

I think he gave up on the idea..

NEWS:

All of Jaguar's new ultra-efficient Gen III petrol and diesel engines will be available in the new XJ, including the already acclaimed V6 diesel* and 510 hp supercharged V8.

http://www.jaguar.com/us/en/about_jaguar/news_pr/first_sight_all_new_xj