Difference between 300SDW116 and 300DW123
 

Does anyone know the difference between the engines of the 300SD W116 and 300D W123 turbo diesel?

W116 vs W123
 

The W116 300SD was built only from 1978 to 1980. Engine number 617.950.
Those made for the US market were turbo charged. May have been for Euro market too. Not sure.
W123 300D for the same model years came with engine number 617.912 and were not turbo charged.
Hopefully others will chime in with more specs.

No S-Class diesels for the euro market until 1996 with the S350 Turbo.

-J

The '78 and '79 SD engines had less horsepower than the '80 and the W123 turbo engines due to the cam shaft

I believe the engines are effectively interchangible with minor differences.

Is the AC and oil filter in the same location as the later motors?

AC and oil filters are the same on my 79SD and 85TD. Vacuum pumps are different. PCV system is different.

I swapped the engine and transmission from a '82 300D into my '80 300SD. The only real issues were the engine mounts and the upper oil pan.Be sure to swap the upper oil pan. I found out about the upper pan interference after I had it installed. I know it's not Kosher but I used a sawzall to trim the pan rather than R&R the engine again. (Working alone, outside, in the dirt, already had to remove the original and remove the donor engine, one install was enough) The existing tranny bracket had extra holes that fit the larger 300D trans, length was compatable as well.