If I bought an SL with a run-out engine could I fit an 85-'89 300 turbodiesel engine in there? I like sports cars, but am committed to biodiesel.

__________________
1991 350SD (updated rods)
Biodiesel B100 when I can find it.
Dino when really cold outside

The engine would be heavy for the SL chasis, which apparently is already in need of strenghtening.

It should fit, I have a diesel in a SEC, but its not quite finished yet.

Diesel in a SL, sounds cool.

__________________
1984 Euro 300SDC, (4spd standard)
1986 Toyota Landcruiser Diesel HJ60 5spd X2

Gone but not forgotten (some sold, some stripped)
1983 300 SD, 1985 300 SD, 1983 240D, 1986 300 SDL, 1985 300 SDL, 1983 300 D, 1984 300 D, 1985 300SD, 1987 300 SDL, 1983 300 SD, 1985 300 TD Euro, 1983 380SEC, 1990 300 D, 1987 300D, 1982 300D, 1982 300D, 1994 E420, 1987 300 TD, 1987 300 D, 1984 300 D

I would expect to put stronger springs in the SL, possibly custom ones. Does anyone know if the engine will mate with the transmission.

__________________
1991 350SD (updated rods)
Biodiesel B100 when I can find it.
Dino when really cold outside

The Simpson's did it!

Attached Thumbnails

   

I have had 7 diesels as shown in the signature and a 560SL. I don't have the exact weights in front of me but I would assume the 5.6 V8 would be heavier than a 3.0 diesel ( 3.8 liter V8 don't know). Do you have the numbers?? Again you might be right.


And yes it would be cool. If the W107 was available in a diesel, that is what I would have bought.

Dave

__________________
1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

I know a fellow in the DC area who put a diesel engine in either a 280SL or a 250SL.

__________________
Len
'59 220S Cabriolet-SOLD and living happily in Malta
'83 240D 351,500 miles original owner-SOLD
'88 560SL 41,000 miles - totaled and parted out
https://sites.google.com/site/mercedesstuff/home
'99 E300 turbo 227,500 miles
'03 SLK320 40,000 miles - gave to my daughter
'14 Smart electric coupe 28,500 miles
'14 Smart electric cabriolet 28,500 miles
'15 Smart electric coupe 28,000 miles

I do know this, the 85 300 SD engine, and 240D manual trans, is lighter than a 500 SEC motor and trans. My car sits 1.5-2" higher in the front now.

I thought that the 380 SL, had an all aluminium V8, and that the iron blocks were to heavy for the chasis, but that the later models had a reinforced chasis to account for the 560.

Re-Reading the original post, I think he is considering a 603, not a 617 as i had thought, so it will probably be fine.

However i recomend that you buy a donor vehicle, so you have the diesel shutoff, and all the associated parts. I do not believe the trans will match up. Atleast not to a 617.

__________________
1984 Euro 300SDC, (4spd standard)
1986 Toyota Landcruiser Diesel HJ60 5spd X2

Gone but not forgotten (some sold, some stripped)
1983 300 SD, 1985 300 SD, 1983 240D, 1986 300 SDL, 1985 300 SDL, 1983 300 D, 1984 300 D, 1985 300SD, 1987 300 SDL, 1983 300 SD, 1985 300 TD Euro, 1983 380SEC, 1990 300 D, 1987 300D, 1982 300D, 1982 300D, 1994 E420, 1987 300 TD, 1987 300 D, 1984 300 D

I have heard the problem is not so much the weight but the height of the engine. The Vs are not as tall as the straight 5 or 4 cylinders so the hood might need a "scoop" cut into it to accomidate that. I think it is still doable and have seen others who have either attempted it or thought seriously about it...

__________________
Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

I was thinking a 603 engine. Maybe I can shorten the engine by running a dry-sump oil pan. The scoop would be too ugly, I think.

__________________
1991 350SD (updated rods)
Biodiesel B100 when I can find it.
Dino when really cold outside

I bet the 603 would fit in without modification. A member on here put a 617 into an SL and it juuuuuust barely cleared the underside of the hood by like 1/2" (the valve cover did) So if the 617 fits the 603 should be fine. Go for it! I'd love a 603 (or 606 turbo) powered SL!

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

I cannot imagine that a 603 is any taller than an M110 and the M110 and OM617 both inhabited the engine spaces in 123 and 126 chassis where the OM603 also can live. Since the SL carried a 110 (280SL) at one point, then a 603 or 617 should fit there too.

__________________
Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

There is a forum member who made a convertible out of a 300CD. Now THAT would be a cool setup! I have not seen the car in person but have seen a couple of pictures.

i think you will find that the 603 is heavier than the aluminum v8.

there have been several engine weights posted in the last three or four months.

tom w

__________________
[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.