1987 300TD Transmission Swap Question
 

Hi everyone, it's been a while since I owned a Merc but I finally got my hands on a 1987 300 Turbo Diesel today with bad transmission. I have a transmission from a 1987 300E and I'm wondering if the two are the same? Any help is greatly appreciated as I'm dying to drive this Diesel.

I found the part# and the VIN#
 

Hi everyone, I found the part number from a 300E transmission

124 270 06 01 722 320 02 835927

I am trying to find out whether if will fit an 1987 300 Turbo Diesel

VIN# WDBEB33D2HA310218

Anyone expert on this question?? It's greatly appreciated.

Gas and Diesel parts dont interchange
 

I dont think you can swap those trannys. Diesel and Gas are different. Do search for VIN numbers. You can put your VIN in the MBC Russia website and it will give you all the particulars on your car.

Does it have the 14 head? What kind of shape is it in? I jsut purchased a 1987 300TD and am putting a new head on it. I bought the car with the head already removed.

Where did you get the new head and how much is it. Where do you see what number head you have. My rad went and the wife drove it hot, now it doesn't run. I am assumming a cracked head or a blown head gasket. Is there a good thread on replacing the head?

Thank you
Gary T
'87 300 TD wagon

Check out these threads
 

Here are some: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/100607-om603-cracked-head-what-else-change.html , http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/99921-my-turn-om603-cracked-head-syndrome.html , http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/103444-have-theory-603-14-head-fractures-part-1-a.html and there may be a few others.

I think the part number is on the intake side of the head. If you have 603 016 14 01 those are the ones known to fail. I have narrowed my search down to two places to get the head. They are both in SoCal. I am planning on doing some other things while I am at it and I am looking at 3K in parts and machine work. The head without machine work is around $1,800. I will be doing all the mechanical work myself.

What kind of shape is your 87 300TD wagon in?

The head casting number is between the #2 and #3 injectors under the crossover pipe. It's of the form 603 160 XX 01 under the words Mercedes-Benz. Usually the 6 and some of the first 0 are shaved off from machining the #2 injector location. XX is the number set that matters. -14- are original 603.96 heads, -17- are original 603.97 heads, 18, 20, 22 are evolutions of the design. Only the -14- head has a history/stigma of developing cracks but there are other design improvements to consider. Also design limitations like not being able to use -14- prechambers as-is in newer heads.

Sixto
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