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  #1  
Old 12-27-2008, 07:23 AM
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Location: Savannah, GA
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220D Pickup Truck

I have purchased a 1973 220D that has been modified into a pickup truck! Currently I am awaiting delivery by an auto-transporter, which is taking some time because of the holiday season. There is engine trouble of some severity. Presently ether is used to start it and it is probably only running on three cylinders. Once it arrives here my plan is to evaluate the condition of the engine. If it is solely a head gasket problem, I plan to repair it and keep running the diesel. If the engine needs more major work I want to look at installing a 3.5-liter, 117 motor that is from a 107 350SL that I have from a parts car. It seems that this swap might be possible only because the 107 and the 115 use the same front sub-frame part number. Does anyone have experience with this type of swap? Any input, pro or con, from the get go would be fantastic! Here are some more details.

220D VIN 11511010350100 4 speed manual

350SL VIN 10704312010277 electronic fuel injection, 9.5:1 compression 200+ HP 3 speed automatic.

I am thinking that if I install the 3.5 I will use the automatic transmission because procuring a flywheel and clutch for that engine is not so easy. If all the parts are available from MB I would guess that they would be over $1000 which would eat too much of the money I have available for this project. But again, any input from fellow MB enthusiasts would be welcomed, what do you think?

Thanks again,

Jay Butter
Savannah, GA

Attached Thumbnails
220D Pickup Truck-truck2.jpg   220D Pickup Truck-truck3.jpg   220D Pickup Truck-truck4.jpg   220D Pickup Truck-truckeng.jpg  
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  #2  
Old 12-27-2008, 08:15 AM
t walgamuth's Avatar
dieselarchitect
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Lafayette Indiana
Posts: 38,613
The 107 does use the same subframe but the motor sits behind it, so your thinking about that making it easier may not be directly applicable.

I have looked at the idea of putting a mb v8 into the 115 body and I think you will run into trouble between the exhaust manifolds and the inner fenders up front.

The oil pan clearance will be critical too. The 115 is designed for the front sump so if the v8 does not have that configuration that may get dicey.

The easy thing would be to repair the motor you have. I suspect it may be a later 123 style 240d motor. The fuel filter is not the original set up.

They may have blown the head gasket using ether to start it....or broken a piston. You'll need to run a compresssion test to determine whats going on there.

Pretty cool looking little truck!

It was posted here a month or so ago. I lusted for it a little.

The simple thing would probably be a 300d swap. I suspect the early sd might fit pretty well too.

Good luck with it.
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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.
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  #3  
Old 12-27-2008, 08:37 AM
Wagon Master
 
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p/u

Johnhef and I were looking at that truck. We were going to drop an SD motor in it. The thinking was that should bolt up to the bell housing.
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  #4  
Old 12-27-2008, 09:57 AM
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Thanks!

Guys,

That's all good input and I'll have to look at the items mentioned carefully. The 107 motor has a front oil sump that sits down within the sub-frame created cavity. I'm not sure I understand what you mean by mounted behind the sub-fame. I agree that the exhaust manifold clearance may be an issue. At least these manifolds do not have the catalytic converters mounted underneath them. Also, it seems that MB always has very tight clearance around the steering gear. I guess I am fantasizing that if the 107 motor fit in the roadster that it would fit in a sedan! I agree that a different diesel would be easier but the 107 motor is already in my shop and "free" so to speak. And if it makes sense to fix the existing motor, that is my first choice. I'm looking forward to seeing the truck with my own eyes soon!

Thanks very much,

Jay
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  #5  
Old 12-27-2008, 09:58 AM
Chad300tdt's Avatar
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Congratulations Jay!! I'm glad someone here bought it.

I was checking it out on ebay and thought it's one of the nicest conversions I've seen.
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  #6  
Old 12-27-2008, 10:21 AM
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That conversion does appear to have been done allot better than most we have seen.
BTW, if you ever decide to get rid of those evil wheels please give me a hollar. My wagon cries out.........
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  #7  
Old 12-27-2008, 11:03 AM
t walgamuth's Avatar
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[QUOTE=jaybutter;2060471]Guys,

That's all good input and I'll have to look at the items mentioned carefully. The 107 motor has a front oil sump that sits down within the sub-frame created cavity. I'm not sure I understand what you mean by mounted behind the sub-fame. I agree that the exhaust manifold clearance may be an issue. At least these manifolds do not have the catalytic converters mounted underneath them. Also, it seems that MB always has very tight clearance around the steering gear. I guess I am fantasizing that if the 107 motor fit in the roadster that it would fit in a sedan! I agree that a different diesel would be easier but the 107 motor is already in my shop and "free" so to speak. And if it makes sense to fix the existing motor, that is my first choice. I'm looking forward to seeing the truck with my own eyes soon!

Thanks very much,

I don't know exactly but from looking under a 107 I believe that the motor sits further back and lower than in a sedan. I could be wrong about that but I was really just saying you should look carefully before commiting large amounts of time and money on an assumption that could be not 100% valid.

Best of luck.

My sympathies are with you.

Kip Foss had a v8 stick conversion kit that he tried to sell for months, you might check with him as to if he might still have it.
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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.
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  #8  
Old 12-27-2008, 01:15 PM
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The US spec 72 350SL (107.043) has a 4.5 liter M117.982. I read there was a recall to rebadge them as 450SL.

Sixto
87 300D
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  #9  
Old 12-28-2008, 12:50 AM
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Thumbs up Nice !

I like it ! . I'da been interested but I get here so rarely I don't look in the classifieds .

Looks like an OM616 240 engine to me but who knows ? .

I too had an early W-107 with the 117 engine and yes , the front dump oil pan hung way out in front , I bet this will work although I'd lean to-wards slapping a nice TURBO OM617 in it from a low milage 300SD junker....

Or maybe a M-110 6 Banger , better wieght distribution and milage , just as fast .

Any chance you'll brag about how cheaply you got it ? .
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  #10  
Old 01-28-2009, 02:58 AM
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You are right and wrong

Quote:
Originally Posted by sixto View Post
The US spec 72 350SL (107.043) has a 4.5 liter M117.982. I read there was a recall to rebadge them as 450SL.

Sixto
87 300D
Some '72 4.5 liter 107s were badged as 350SLs but they are NOT 107.043s they are 107.044s. An .043 is always a 3.5 liter and a .044 is always a 4.5 liter. Look at ebay listings VINs to verify this. In my case I have a 1973 350SL 107.043 euro spec doner car.

My therory about the 4.5 liter 350SLs is that the body group forgot to order 450SL badges when the engine group went from a high compression 3.5 to a low compression 4.5 to meet emmision requirerments and maintain horse power. A 107 with less that 200 HP (weighing in at 3400 pounds)is a dog so to speak.

It's all good!

Jay
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  #11  
Old 01-28-2009, 11:01 AM
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Wow, that is the 3rd or 4th 220 I have seen converted. Locally a guy who did that put 300 turbo diesel motor in it. The car is awesome.
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  #12  
Old 01-28-2009, 11:22 AM
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I was watching this one as well, looks well done. good luck with your project, Im hoping you keep the diesel, but if its too much to make it work I understand.
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  #13  
Old 01-28-2009, 11:40 AM
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Location: talco, tx AND surburban DC
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to all,

what i'm sitting here wondering is: is that NICE truck a factory/coachbuilt conversion, rather than "homebrew"???

when i was stationed in BRD in the '70s, some funeral parlours owned MB "pickup trucks" that they used to haul tools/supplies/flowers/markers to the cemetery.
(i have NO idea what coachbuilder did them, but they were NEAT & obviously RARE. - MUCH more rare an item than my Mercedes hearse.)

yours, tn46
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  #14  
Old 01-28-2009, 12:06 PM
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Thumbs up

That's quite amazing...looks incredible! I think you've done well for yourself and can't wait until you drive it up to Atlanta for me to go for a drive with you in it

Wow...I'm jealous
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  #15  
Old 01-28-2009, 12:34 PM
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PLEASE keep it diesel! Will make it easier for you and closer to original!

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