Hey guys, I am fairly new with diesels and have favored SD's. Now I own too many of them and feel that diesel is additive. Over two years ago I started looking for diesel transportation. The thinking was that fuel prices would continue to rise and it would be better to have vehicles which could run with the truckers. Surely diesel would always be available at a bargain, right? After looking at some old Peugeots I "settled" on the 126 SD. Now I have found it hard to come up with good clean interiors for the age of them. Now here is my question?? Have any of you tried to convert the later models like the 420's? I have found these cars in good all round condition but with the gas engines blown for various reasons and they can be picked up reasonably. I would like to convert one from gas to 617 Turbo.
Now lots more questions if you are with me:
Can one use the transmission with little or no problems?
Is the differential compatible or not?
Would there be problems converting the fuel delivery?
Looks like the radiator will need to be changed also?
Some electrical with diesel harness will be needed, is that a big problem?

Yes, and Is it worth the trouble?

Hope this finds some of you in good humor.

You can find dead SDL's for cheap too. I'd start there...

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Absolutely not worth the trouble. Dead D's and SD's are even easier to find.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

get a bluetec motor.

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Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

I agree that the late 126 interiors are the best!

So find a sd with excellent mechanicals and poor interior and buy that and a gasser late 126 with a bad motor and switch the interiors.

Best of both worlds!

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.

Thanks for your replies. Had to Google bluetec engine but did not catch the price for that little puppy. This conversion is starting to look grim. I like Tom's suggestion of changing the interior from a dead late model to a mechanically sound SD. I find more dead SEL's with good paint, body and interior and some good running east coast rusters highly depreciated (good for engine donor). One would have to find a SD or SE donor with the correct interior color or deal with the longer rear door panels. I just find the late model SEL's a more attractive vehicle. I would like to get a Mercedes tech or a transmission specialist to comment about the tranny question. I am thinking one could simply change the torque converter and modify the valve body with the latest diesel kit or change the whole valve body with a diesel vb. I have learned here that lots of $$ is spent for trannys and often as not because of wrong diagnosis related to vacuum adjustments. Also learned that these 722's are bullet proof. Have any of you considered using a dead engine gas car tranny with some mods? Thanks to all of you for your replies and especially thanks to the forum for all that I learn here.

If you search for threads written by me "Icefire" I have done 3 swaps, 1983 300 SD into 85 500 SEL, 1983 SD into 1982 380 SEL and 1985 300 SD into a 1984 500 SEC, If your a good mechanic and have both cars next to each other its not hard, just time consuming. I can do it in about 24 hours with an assistant.

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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

Thanks Icefire!!

I read most of your posts on conversion and went from grim to hopeful. Just looks like it may take some time. This one the things I like about forum life. You get such a veriety of people and our ways.

Thanks to all the contributors, LD