Converting an 86 420SEL to diesel

[82LANDYACHT]

Well, I certainly have done it now. I originally bought an 82 300SD to rehab into a WVO daily driver. The tranny wouldn't shift out of 2nd and the interior was rancid but the price was right and I was bored. Well, as luck would have it, I discovered an 86 420SEL in fabulous shape save a no start problem and a probable bad cam bearing but it came with a spare turbo diesel w/100,000 miles and questionable tranny. So, I plan on using this thread to share my conversion experience and hopefully help someone else in their endeavor by either expanding their technical knowledge with mine or staving off a fool hardy attempt. I would love to hear from anyone out there who has had a similar experience and could give some words of wisdom or convince me I am out of my mind. Step one will be next weekend when I will examine the spare tranny and engine. I am told by the previous owner that the tranny was shot but that news hasn't stopped me from diving in head first before so I plan to tear it down and rebuild it. I will be sure to take pics. As for the engine, I would love to check the compression before I install it in the 420 but I need advice on reviving and engine that has been stored for over a year. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help me with any advice you may have.