So, I have a really rough 190 and (if you didn't see me thread) was told it's basically a parts car. The engine and trans seem completely fine so my question is, how hard would it be to swap this motor/trans into a different vehicle? I mean something that is not a mercedes

The reason I ask is I am kicking around the idea of finding something like a ranger/s10 or chevette or something along those lines and swapping the motor and parting the 190. has anyone ever swapped one of these motors into something else?

Anything is possible if you have enough money, time and fabrication skills.

Well, I kinda knew that already but I'm looking more at pratical and not just possible, I mean if it would take $2K dollars to make it work I probably wouldn't do it, but if it took a lot of time I wouldn't mind.

I can make the engine sit in there, it's the getting it to run part that makes me a little nervous.

Which direction does the engine sit in that car ?

Its RWD.

If it is RWD then there is a much better chance something like that could be done reasonably....
First thing to check for is the relative position of the front crossmember of the vehicle you want to put the engine into... compared to the oil pan of that engine.... that is the primary nightmare for old hotrodders...

yeah, chevettes are RWD, that's why I like them and that's why I mentioned it in this thread. It also helps that I know of a chevette for sale right now that has less than 100K miles and is rust free and is $250 (it doesn't have a motor in it right now, hence the cheap price).

Now you are cooking with ( natural ) GAS...
That is the Hotrodder spirit !!
Take lots of pictures...and run both the engine, trans and the other car through alldata.com...
to look for tech bulletins and safety recalls...

Check out my gallery over at FTE for some pics of a 617 from a 81 300SD in a 53 F100. Looks like I need to add some recent ones since it is in the driving stage now.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displayalbum.php?&userid=308002&albumid=19458

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1971 R600 Mack toterhome (SuperDawg)
99 NU-WA Snowbird 34+2 SE 102 5er
If it's not diesel, it's not in my stable!
53 F100 617.951/auto
95 Dodge 3500 Cummins/5 speed service truck

Find a 190E. I see lots of them cheap with blown engines on CL in my area. Could be the same where you are.

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DJ


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

x2

All that work and a chevette is still a crap box, imho.

Might as well do a 190e. When you get done you'll have something that you can sell if you want for a profit.

The cost and trouble of doing a chevette conversion will make it not worth while in any way, and I am not sure that the 190 motor will fit physically in a chevette, their motors are pretty tiny.

If you want a chevette, find one with the little brazillan built diesel and a five speed.

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.

How about an older mercedes like this one

http://dayton.craigslist.org/car/631807865.html

would it be easy to swap into that or would am I best off to just find a 190?

BTW, how much would it be worth if I found a perfect 190E and swapped my diesel parts into it?

one other quick thing, if I found a 190E with a manual, would I be able to use that manual transmission with the diesel engine? One of my biggest complaints with this car is the fact it's an auto, I might like to keep it if I could make it a manual.

To swap in a manual (a very worthwhile project IMHO) you need a tranny and pedal cluster, a driveshaft (maybe) a clutch and pressure plate and pilot and throwout bearings.

Its a weekend job for an average do it yourselfer.

Getting the bell housing bolts off is probably the toughest part.

I have never done anything on a 190. my experience is all on a 123. Much is similar I believe.

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.

That's not quite what I meant, I meant if I'm going to be looking for a good 190E to swap my 2.2 diesel into, could I find a 190E with a manual and bolt the 2.2 to that manual transmission? Or would I need a manual out of a 190D?