'80 300D engine into '83 240D - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Dale240D · #1 12-12-2006, 12:03 PM

Ok, I need advice. Please talk me into or out of this idea.

Here's the background. I have a '83 240D with immaculate interior and body. Just recently my rings really took a turn for the worse. I'm getting low compression and nailing and smoke and so much blow by that oil is seeping out of the cap on the valve cover.

I found an '80 300D turbo drive train seems to be in decent shape. I haven't done a compression test yet, but it sounds and runs better than what i have now. the interior and body are not that great. cracked dash etc.

Is it practical to think about putting the whole drive train into the '83 240D. Does anyone no if it's a direct fit? I'm decent at wrenching, but not necessarily at fabricating new mounts etc. IF it's an easy swap out I'd consider it, if not maybe I should rebuild the 240D engine. I really don't have thousands of dollars to throw at this right now. i JUST drained the savings acct to remodel my kitchen.

Please give me the advice I need kind gentlemen.

Dale
'83 240D

Dr_Bones3 · #2 12-12-2006, 02:13 PM

To my knowledge it is not a direct fit...but if you can weld you should be fine. The mounts are a little off but nothing that a little hacking and rewelding couldn't easily take care of! Best of luck, this will also be a little different depending on manual or automatic trans. It is also easier if it is a manual trans. Best of luck, hopefully your kitchen was worth it!

rrgrassi · #3 12-12-2006, 02:31 PM

There are other users that did a similiar project. Do a search of the forum. I believe member bgkast did that.

stcbenz83 · #4 12-12-2006, 04:26 PM

bkast (think thats his name) did it. infact he has a movie of it on youtube..

bgkast · #5 12-12-2006, 08:05 PM

Howdy. The '80 300D (a W123 body like your 240D) did not have a turbo engine. The '80 300SD did, however it was a w116 body. I used an engine form a 300SD in my swap. If using an engine from a W116 you will need a set of engine mount arms and exhaust downpipe from a turbo W123. If you car is a stick you will also have to shorten the drive shaft and the shift linkages. If the car is an automatic...well I don't know much about automatics.

Have you tested the compression on the 240D engine? Are you having trouble getting it started? The smoke could be from valve stem seals and the leak around the oil filler cap is probably just a bad gasket. The nailing is most likely bad injectors. My stock 240D nails like a bugger when cold too.

Mustang_man298 · #6 12-12-2006, 11:19 PM

I dont know how the turbo engines fit up, I put a 617.912 non turbo in my 80 240 and it was easy, had to get a few different parts to make it happen, but it went smoothly for a few hundred or so and some wrecking yard visits.

bgkast · #7 12-13-2006, 12:42 AM

Turbos fit just as well.

Surf-n-Turf · #8 12-13-2006, 02:45 PM

Dale, how soon do you think you'll try this project? I am thinking of doing the same with my 240D and my 300DT over the holidays. I have the week of Christmas off. If I do, your more than welcome to come down and check it out. Now if I can just talk bgkast into coming down as well.

bgkast · #9 12-13-2006, 04:14 PM

I wouldn't mind a trip to sunny Florida! When can I leave?

Wiz3D · #10 12-13-2006, 06:06 PM

Better plan on snaggin' a 300 rear-end too .... I'm not a 240 guru but I believe 240's are geared quite a bit lower ... somewhere around 4.00 or maybe even less .... the greater torque and hp of a 617 would make for a jerky ride, poor fuel economy and perhaps a host of other related driveability issues .... my advice: fix the 240, make someone a new owner of it, then get a good fimphelganger

PM me if ya' want one.

bgkast · #11 12-13-2006, 07:16 PM

3.69 to be exact

Jerky ride...no

Mileage...22-24 MPG

Drivability issues...nope

I still would like to swap a 3.07 from a turbo in though. The 3.69 does not use the 617s full potential in all of the gears. v

Surf-n-Turf · #12 12-13-2006, 07:36 PM

Hey bgkast, was your 240D manual before the swap? Mine is auto and I would like to make the conversion to 3.0 with the manual tranny. Sounds funner to drive. I'll swap in the rear as well.

bgkast · #13 12-14-2006, 01:13 AM

It was (and is) a standard

Dale240D · #14 12-14-2006, 04:09 PM

Yeah, surf, I'm off the week after christmas as well. I could spend a day helping you do that switch. PM me the closer you get to it and let me know if/ when.
I'm going to do a compression test this weekend one last time just to make sure it is the rings that failed on me.

Dale

Surf-n-Turf · #15 12-19-2006, 04:03 PM

Dale, we might start pulling the motors this weekend. I just need to get a new ram for the hoist. Should have it all together Friday.