swap 87 300TD engine into 90's 300TE body - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

odie · #1 05-08-2007, 02:24 PM

just tossin' this one out there as to the feasability....early 90's wagon diesel swap...

I have a 1987 300TD wagon that has some rust issues....

justinperkins · #2 05-08-2007, 02:43 PM

sounds like a big project.

I would just take the bumpers, hood, headlights and side skirts from a 94/95 TE and put them on a (non-rusty) 87 TD

babymog · #3 05-08-2007, 02:47 PM

I keep considering the same, based on having a TE back in the 90s, and knowing that the '87 TD doesn't have many refinements inside and out that they had in the 90s.

I think that having both cars for donors would make it feasible. Things like ignition switch, glow-plug circuit, etc. would otherwise surprise you and cost a lot to source later.

I wish I had the time for the project. Nice TEs can be had cheap.

riethoven · #4 05-08-2007, 03:02 PM

I just checked the Russian parts site and they put the OM601 in the W210 so why wouldn't engine an OM603 fit? Now that you know it may possibly fit, what do you do once you are done and have to get an emissions inspection? I don't know about Texas, but it would probably not fly in New York.

I always thought an ultimate swap would be the diesel running gear from a totaled W210 turbodiesel into a W210 gasser wagon with a bad engine. Keep the VIN from the diesel for the wagon since they are the saem chassis. I have a buddy that might overlook the fact that it is a wagon body and not a sedan.

odie · #5 05-08-2007, 03:45 PM

I'm not familiar with the 210 series....

I've got a complete 124 series 1987 TD wagon that runs great and all. No issues other than it's got rust...is it worth the time and expense to try to fix the rust or can the engine & all diesel specific componments (fuel tank, guages, trans, axle?, wiring, etc) be relatively easliy moved over to a late 80-early 90s 124 series gas wagon?

The cost of buying a clean RUST FREE 1987 diesel wagons is getting up there, plus they don't come up for sale very often and usually don't go cheap.

Gas wagons seems pretty cheap and supply & selection seems easy to find a really good clean gasser. It may be better to buy a cleaner & newer gas wagon and convert it using my donor diesel wagon, rather than to search endlessly and expensively to buy a clean 1987 diesel wagon.

justinperkins · #6 05-08-2007, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by odie

I'm not familiar with the 210 series....

I've got a complete 124 series 1987 TD wagon that runs great and all. No issues other than it's got rust...is it worth the time and expense to try to fix the rust or can the engine & all diesel specific componments (fuel tank, guages, trans, axle?, wiring, etc) be relatively easliy moved over to a late 80-early 90s 124 series gas wagon?

The cost of buying a clean RUST FREE 1987 diesel wagons is getting up there, plus they don't come up for sale very often and usually don't go cheap.

Gas wagons seems pretty cheap and supply & selection seems easy to find a really good clean gasser. It may be better to buy a cleaner & newer gas wagon and convert it using my donor diesel wagon, rather than to search endlessly and expensively to buy a clean 1987 diesel wagon.

I think it would be much easier to wait and find a decent 87 TD than to convert a TE. Even fixing the rust sounds easier than swapping the drivetrain/electrical. That is a seriously large job.

Relatively easily? Only if you're a badass with a lot of good tools/shop.

odie · #7 05-08-2007, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinperkins

I think it would be much easier to wait and find a decent 87 TD than to convert a TE. Even fixing the rust sounds easier than swapping the drivetrain/electrical. That is a seriously large job.

Relatively easily? Only if you're a badass with a lot of good tools/shop.

well, I'm a half ass

with too many projects

I'm going to keep driving the wagon and will probably see about fixing the rust.

It's just that where there is some rust, there is always more hidden. These cars really don't rust so the presense of some seemingly minor rust bubbles here & there usually indicates worse stuff hidden deep that will sooner or later make itself known.

I know eventually a nice diesel wagon will come along, but when and how $$$ is the question.

But if, I mean IF, a great deal on a great gas wagon comes my way, would it be worth considering?

Since I have the complete donor car, would I need additional parts or do I possess everything I need already?

clint77002 · #8 05-08-2007, 04:58 PM

I was considering the same thing...putting a 603 in a TE. Many friends warned me of it so I didn't go that route. My wife found a beautiful 95 E320 w/ 3rd row seat. GORGEOUS car and very nice refinements inside (except the POS radio). I am with others here. Find a 124 gasser wagon, get 26mpg at 80mph, and enjoy it.

Clint

odie · #9 05-08-2007, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clint77002

Find a 124 gasser wagon, get 26mpg at 80mph, and enjoy it.

Clint

DIESEL OR

babymog · #10 05-08-2007, 08:07 PM

I, and so many others here have considered the same thing, so do it and we'll all learn from your mistake er, process.

The later TEs are so much nicer than the '87 was. Besides, here in the rust belt, I agree. If there's a little rust showing, the tip of the iceberg. I've seen people chase rust so many times that it pains me to see someone say "fix the rust". By the time the body has a few bubbles, the jack points are soft, suspension mounts questionable, the pockets behind the headlamps are rotted, the electrical connections are all questionable, the radiator is rotting, EVERY fastener or adjustment is cruddy and likely to break during attempted disassembly/adjustment, JUST SAY NO TO RUST!!!

I don't buy Florida or any other coastal vehicles, nor rust-belt stuff, don't want to mess with it.

Find a nice TE, keep the TD. Look at them both, if you decide there is enough energy and similarity to make the powertrain swap then do it, otherwise part the TD (and keep the SLS stuff) and drive the TE.

#11 05-08-2007, 09:31 PM

it can be done, I almost started doing it until I thought "why do this to myself when I can drive a nice 126 (with a hitch) around??" I even had the '87 td and '92 TE. (of course the td is rusted to hell)
but imagine: you have to swap the whole wiring harness. most probably even up to the hatch. then, if it's a newer TE, the seats have all different plugs. they won't work. try finding that out on a sunday afternoon. then of course the ingn, switch but that's easy. this swap means tearing up the whole car, from dash to hatch... what a nightmare. especially in a 124 where all the plastic you even look at breaks. I'm sure drive shaft will be the same, but who knows, you may end up changing differential and drive shaft...
as you see I can't recommend it.
and then when you're done, what do you really have? an old car with a time-bomb diesel in it...

POR15 stops rust pretty good. and the person that gets 26mpg in a TE can make good money adjusting these mechanically fuel injected engines

babymog · #12 05-08-2007, 09:36 PM

Time bomb diesel? Why, because it will break if overheated?

odie · #13 05-09-2007, 11:05 AM

sounds like I should leave it as is and just try to keep the rust in check and pro-long the chassis life al long as reasonably possible...save my pennies for a nice, clean, rust-free 1987 300TDT.

Gotta have a diesel wagon. Had two 123 series but the 124 300TDT is just too damn nice in comparison to want to consider going back...

#14 05-09-2007, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

Time bomb diesel? Why, because it will break if overheated?

indeed. and it can happen anytime...