Hi guys,

I am new here, this is my first post. I like this forum a lot so I am looking for skilled guy to do this tricky job.

I have 83' 380 SEC I just bought. Engine sounds smooth @200k, no smoke. However, I want to make 300 SDC out of it. I am looking at cheap 84' 300 SD with bad tranny but great engine, only 180k, 390psi compression as donor.

How big job would it be to place this engine in SEC? I know it can be done, I've seen one SEC with 617 on ebay. Guy was mechanic and did it for himself so I wondered why selling? He didn't respond to my questions.

My main concerns are
- rear end gears - 380 SEC has 2.47 ratio so I gues that would have to be changed as well to 3+?
- transmission - I am not sure if it is the same but my dodnor car has bad tranny.. Can we keep SEC tranny?


Please, if anyone has some advice for me, any reason for not doing it or performance predictions I would like to hear You.

I realize it will be probabbly bit sluggish, or SEC lovers my hate the idea but I can't help it. I love the look of SEC and sound of old MB diesel. Economy is also a big factor for me and SEC likes to drink too much.
I imagine it would cost quite a few bucks to do this job as it would take many hours but if You have use for 380V8 engine,I can give it to You as part of payment. Although, like I said I have no history of this car so I don't know if single timing chain was replaced - it's 83 but I don't know what's there

I forgot to mention I need someone from Chicagoland area with his own place and tools.

IMHO, this sounds like a good way to make a good running 380SEC worthless at great expense.

You are probabbly right with "great expense"
But worthless? I have to disagree, it would make beautifull and rere diesel

BTW
I was just reading old posts and found some info about 380 SEC. Mine is Euro model, according to Jim B. Euro models had double chains so we're good there.

I meant it will have little or no resale value to most people. It's your money.

A Euro 380SEC will have more value with the original equipment than with a diesel engine in it. Reselling it would be hard, not too many people want a diesel when looking for a S-class coupe.

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

Once done I would NEVER sell it. They say "never say never", but why would I want to sell such a rare machine?

Value of my SEC is $1200, that's what I paid for no rust California car and equals 2 monthly payments of my Sprinter

Thanks for Your input though

lots of work but whatever you do PLEASE keep your euro dash controls and so inside...if you can get the wires for the fuel pump...ignition and so on that the diesel doesnt need and keep you ac stuff working that would be best...but your jumping into alot of work and it would be better to find a US model SEC....like sell the euro for a bunch and buy a US SEC and have money left over for the swap and maybe even some left over...check out ebay and see what you can get for it...im sure if its as good as you say 1200 can become 2500-3500 easy for the right persom who wants that car.

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Wie lange wird Ihr Auto leben?

The Diesel into sec swap is not to hard, I have done 3 swaps, 85 500 sel swapped in a 617.951, 82 380 SEL swapped in a 617.951, and an 84 500 SEC euro swapped in a 617.951.

It is really not that hard, Engine Trans bolts in, wiring for the trans is the same, you can use the same drive shaft.

No you cannot use the trans from the 380 SEC, it will not bolt up, totally different.

If you have both cars, side by side its pretty easy,

I can help with advice and tips if you decide to get into it. To do this swap correctly would take me 36 hours. That would cover everything. figure a better mechanic could do the whole thing in 24 hours,

you should be able to find a shop to do the mechanical labor for $40 an hour, electrical for $60

so its not a cheap proposition.

As for my SEC, just waiting for winter to be over.. then the pics and full story.

oh leave the 2.47 rear it suits the 617

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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

Where do you find $40.00 per hour shop rate. my indie here is at $102.00.

the SEC is a 126 body like the 300SD. shouldn`t be any slower. I like the idea.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

I'd drive the 380 as is and wait for engine failure....its bound to happen sometime....

If the 380 was dead thats a different story, but since its a good running engine, whats the point? I'd hold off. Or find a SEC with a dead or missing engine.

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-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)

That's my view too. I would consider a 603 swap in one with a dead engine.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

My Indie could do it with no worries. They have done many engine swaps in the past. They have done two 4 to 5 cylinder upgrades for me. I know they have done many others for others. Giving them two complete cars would make it a simple swap out.

They are Banes Automotive Repair. 765 742 1951

Talk to John Banes.

I think they would be willing to do it for a fixed price. I estimate from 800 to 1300 on the price based on what they have charged me in the past. I don't know if the switch from gas to diesel will present any special challenges or not, but with two complete vehicles I don't imagine it will be too much trouble.

I think you could use the 247 gear just fine as long as you are sticking with the automatic tranny.

If you do the swap I imagine you can sell off the euro 380 motor.

The secs are not worth much at present with the price of fuel. If a person held onto one for 20 years they may become collectible eventually as they are a timeless design and very rare.

Tom W

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[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.

Thank You all!
Thank You t walgamuth for number, I will call them

I will be driving gasser SEC until I find another donor. My 300SD has bad tranny so it's bad candidate.
So now I am looking for cheap, ugly, rusted or totaled SD with good engine & transmission
Thanks again, and once this project is done (probabbly around summer time) I will share results and photos

Awesome project! If I wasn't up to my elbows in my 250C I would love to help out.