I found a almost perfect 1985 380se, black on black and it looks like it rolled off the showroom floor. the only problem is that the engine is really tired.. i was thinking of swapping in a om617 from my 300sd parts car into it.. the guys wants 2k for the 380se. Would this swap be too difficult?

__________________

no comments? I mean we all know that this is gonna be a money pit but I just wanted to get someones comment if they have done this.. can a home mechanic do this?

__________________

Its doable in a weekend. Beware the tranny will probably have to go as well.

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

And the diff as well...

__________________
1987 VW Jetta Mk II - Daily Driver
1992 W201 2.3 - sold
1985 W126 380se - sold
1985 W123 OM617.952 - sold
1981 W123 OM617.912 - sold
1986 W201 2.3 - sold
1979 W123 OM 617.912 - sold

And the instrument cluster...

If you have a complete parts car sitting next to it the swap should be a straight forward project. Since they are the same car.

But its not nearly as simple as removing the M116 and putting the 617 in its place, MB changed a bit.

I would expect to do the engine, trans, and diff. Along with all the diesel controls, oil cooler and radiator, lots of vacuum lines, etc.

I wouldn't be surprised if you have to change the ignition, shifter, front springs, AC lines, and some heater hoses to make the climate control work.

The drive shaft may even be different.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Done this, several times, Yes doable in a weekend if you are a decent to good wrench, dont have to change the cluster(no reason to), dont have to change diff. yes to rad, oil cooler, vacuum lines are so simple its not worth discussing. Ignition switch should be swapped so you can have the proper shutoff.

on a 380 SE, the driveshafts will be the same lenght. shifter is the same.

trust me on this one the 2.47 diff suits the 617, i averaged 28 MPG over 60K miles on 85 500 SEL with a 83 300 SD motor.

its worthwhile, Ive done it 3 times.

2 points to note, on my swap the tach did not work, I didnt swap clusters and wire it up,

second point, its bolt in except one of your engine shocks will be on the wrong side, and will not have a mount on the frame for it, I left mine off.

I didnt change front springs, and the wiring for a diesel is very straight forward.

__________________
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

I swapped a gas 103 engine for a Nissan RD28 diesel engine. Took a month. However, swapping a Mercedes for another would be a lot easier.
For instance, your present VDO tach may work without modification with the diesel engine.

The exhaust manifold may be in the same side. Mine was in the opposite site, as well as the radiator input and output.

The electric system will be easy for an electrician.
Air filter: would be necessary to adapt one.
Probaly you will need to put new shock absorbers as I had. New engine will be a little heavier, old shock absorbers will die. Your car will (bend?) don´t know the word in english.

Good luck !

No it won't. Diesel tachs only work with diesels. And gas ones only with gassers. I know this for a fact.

Its better to just swap clusters...(which is super easy) so why not?

I'd do it if the car was really nice. At this point if I find an excellent W126 in need of a motor I might consider a swap myself....the rust is becoming unmanageable.

__________________
-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)

Be ready to change out the ignition switch so you won't have to open the hood to shut her off everytime.

Regards

Run-Em

__________________
1983 300SD - SPARKY THE DIESEL
2004 Audi TT 3.2 Quattro Roadster
1999 SLK - aka - LIL RED
1956 Chevy Nomad - aka - REAL MAD
1940 Ford dbl dr. Deluxe - aka - ORANGE U GLAD
1998 Kawasaki Nomad bike --

2000 is more than I probably would pay for a v8 with a tired motor.

It would have to be absolutely showroom condition other than the motor to be worth that, I think.

Tom W

__________________
[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.

2K is a little more than I think I would go unless the rest of the car is really good. I went about 2k(after adding in transportation back here) BUT, I already had a pulled engine for my 86 SDL. The care had about 178K on it, sightly worn, no rust, and otherwise, pretty good shape and I had recent records.
I seemed to luck out with the replacement engine also. A slight misfortune (cracked oil pan) let us check out the bottom end, and it appears that it was recently rebuilt.
It does run real good.

Bear in mind, I did not have to change out any gas related items either.

__________________
87 300SDL - 215K Miles !!
99 F-350CC Dually PSD - 190K
86 300SDL - 189K
All on B-100

... how "tired" is the gas motor? does it blow blue smoke? any noises in the motor? are you planning to drive the gasser much before you switch? if the car runs well, but is just a bit on the weak side, the seller has no compunction to lower the price, simply due to you wanting to put in a diesel... pristine vehicles with weak but running well motors still have decent value. the gasser motor would have some value too. Oh, and I don't think you have to change the transmission.

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

yeah the transmissions between a OM617 and M116 are differnt, will not bolt up.

There is no reason not to change the cluster, On my swaps, I left the gas cluster, since that is the mileage on the vehicle. I didnt care about the tach to much, so I just left it disconnected.

__________________
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