123 Radiator in a 116?
 

I had (well, will have again) a radiator from a 80 300SD I parted over a year ago. I sold it to someone two days ago who just informed me that his mechanic told him it leaked. It didn't leak when it was pulled but I did move once so it could have easily been damaged.

I'm planning on giving him his money back.

Now, the question. There is a 83 300D at the junkyard. The radiator looked to be in good shape. Are there key differences in the size of the radiator?

Could the 123 radiator work in the 116? If so I'll tell him to head to the junkyard.

EDIT: I forget the year of his 300SD but I know it is a 116 300SD.

Not sure about the W116, but a W126 300SD swaps directly for a W123 300D.
The W123 MUST be a turbo, the NA 300D will swap to a W123 240D, though.

Best bet is to check for a radiator online and see if the part numbers match....

Jim

I tried that originally and couldn't find 116 radiator part numbers. I did just find them in a thread here and they are indeed different.

BUT, I also found that the 116 radiators were brass? The one I pulled from the 116 I parted was all plastic. It did have an engine from a 82 300D, I wonder if they swapped the radiator when they swapped engines? If they did then the 300D radiators will work in a 116.

The 300D at the junkyard is American spec so it is indeed a turbo. I remember because I considered removing the turbo when I was there a few days ago but decided it would be too much work. :P

Aftermarket radiators could be either plastic/aluminum or brass.

I've removed both styles from W126 cars, and the brass rad was not OE.

Jim

I guess I should rephrase. The frame was all plastic and the fins were aluminum.

Thanks for the info. I guess I'll just tell him about the 123 and let him decide if he wants to pursue that route.

So then you would also need to remove the expansion tank for the 126? In my experience, the pressure cap is on top of the radiator on a 123 whereas there is the expansion tank apparatus in the 126.

The w116 radiator is brass and much different in oil cooler lines etc, therefore not compatible with the w123.
I have a w116 radiator in great shape if you need one.