'80 300D engine into '83 240D

[Dale240D]

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