What to do w/ my 240D - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

matthias08 · #1 01-04-2009, 11:19 PM

so as most of you know i just got my first W124

&& my First mercedes (79 240D 4 speed) has been collecting dust since early May of 2007

I'm really attached to this car... but rust is overtaking it daily esp while it was my daily driver.

its a great potential donor car... engine, 4 speed tranny, rear end, interior, manual windows, brake system has been TOTALLY replaced, even down to tail lights & such...

I've stumbled on a craigslist find (82 or 83) 240D Auto. black

w/ tan int power windows, manual non leaking sunroof... good tranny, bad engine. supposedly minimal rust. even the headlight doors & bumpers look great from pics...

body has 270k or so on it...

its on CL about 5 minutes from my house for $350 (i'm gonna guess OBO)

is it worth buying it and paying say $400 to have my indy swap it & keep the 4 speed for a rainy day or just sell it... && part/scrap the rest of the car?!

nickofoxford · #2 01-05-2009, 12:44 AM

You never know what a bad engine really means until you see it. Unless the poster on CL says it's seized you may have a good fixer upper. For that price, i'd say go for it. It's actually not too hard to do the swap yourself there are plenty of posts on here with the info you'd need to get started. If you were a bit closer i'd buy that 4 speed from you

JimmyL · #3 01-05-2009, 01:51 AM

Of course it's worth that.

matthias08 · #4 01-05-2009, 02:19 AM

ok...
i've got 6 days until i get home...

& if someone from here snags it before i get a chance. i will kill you all!

lol

i don't have a lift, or any way of removing the engine other than my HS football team

maybe i can find someone that has one locally that i can use...

moon161 · #5 01-05-2009, 11:57 AM

Cherry picker is $30 - $100 at harbor freight, depending on rated weight. You might go for the bigger one, I think the 750 lb rated one, instead of the 500- looks a bit dodgy. Engine stand is pretty cheap as well. Might as well do all your 'easy while it's out' work - timing chain, water pump, seals, transmission oil, coolant flush, vacuum pump etc. etc. etc. while you have it out, or have it done at that time for the same reason. It'll all be easier on an engine stand than in the car.

How's your trunk lid and the back panel that the license plate and taillights go into? I'd be interested in rust-free pieces.

lutzTD · #6 01-05-2009, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moon161

Cherry picker is $30 - $100 at harbor freight, depending on rated weight. You might go for the bigger one, I think the 750 lb rated one, instead of the 500- looks a bit dodgy. Engine stand is pretty cheap as well. Might as well do all your 'easy while it's out' work - timing chain, water pump, seals, transmission oil, coolant flush, vacuum pump etc. etc. etc. while you have it out, or have it done at that time for the same reason. It'll all be easier on an engine stand than in the car.

How's your trunk lid and the back panel that the license plate and taillights go into? I'd be interested in rust-free pieces.

those harbour freight engine pullers are a deathtrap. as are the pep boys ones. better to borrow one from a friend or buy a decent one at Sams Club. Then sell the Sams club one when you are done and reduce the cost.

matthias08 · #7 01-05-2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moon161

Cherry picker is $30 - $100 at harbor freight, depending on rated weight. You might go for the bigger one, I think the 750 lb rated one, instead of the 500- looks a bit dodgy. Engine stand is pretty cheap as well. Might as well do all your 'easy while it's out' work - timing chain, water pump, seals, transmission oil, coolant flush, vacuum pump etc. etc. etc. while you have it out, or have it done at that time for the same reason. It'll all be easier on an engine stand than in the car.

How's your trunk lid and the back panel that the license plate and taillights go into? I'd be interested in rust-free pieces.

the trunk is right next to rust free... just a tad bit of bubble on the bottom edge *what would be under trim piece, nothing is all the way thru.
altho i've sanded most of it down... && i think the plate area is a little more rough...

mobetta · #8 01-05-2009, 01:31 PM

you can rent a cherry picker and buy an engine stand for less than the cost of paying an indy. And dont think for a minute that anyone's going to swap a mercedes engine for $400. you should put that into parts while you have it out. water pump, oil cooler lines, belts, hoses gaskets oil change tranny change(filter?), etc. unless its all recently done.

but for that price, I'd jump

matthias08 · #9 01-05-2009, 01:37 PM

ok...

and yes... my indy is willing to do it for that price *i'd be helping a bit, i don't like his other grease monkeys, they think its ok play around w/ my car... "

http://dayton.craigslist.org/cto/977213648.html

matthias08 · #10 01-05-2009, 07:48 PM

decided that moving the 4speed over to the new car will just be a waste of money...

4 speed manual is up for sale!

i've got a new slave and master cyl. also...