Which is a better engine: 12-v Cummins 5.9 or Merz 300 turbo? - Page 7 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

47dodge · #91 07-04-2010, 06:49 PM

I saw an interesting Mustang in Hot Rod magazine a few issues back that had the 7.3 shoe horned in it. 38 mpg. Forgot what the hp was. it was not stock.

I have both an 89 Dodge, and a 85 300d. Need the truck for hauling, and have found it to be reliable, and rather nice to drive. Sure wish the Mercedes was not so underpowered, although it is a nice highway car.80+ all day long....

By the way on a windy day the Mercedes is all over the road. Fine when it is not windy, is this normal?

#92 07-04-2010, 10:04 PM

I did not mean to skew this thread into politics. Since I was ratted on by a leather related member last week and chastized by the moderator for a political statement, I must bow out at this point. My tongue is very sore and probably about a 1/4 inch shorter for doing so.

Since others don't appear to get such scolding, continue your fun.

vstech · #93 07-04-2010, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 47dodge

By the way on a windy day the Mercedes is all over the road. Fine when it is not windy, is this normal?

how windy? my sd is pretty worn out suspension wise, and it does not get squirrely unless it's near hurricane crosswinds. (it blows pretty hard here on stormy days) the car is pretty aerodynamic, so it stands to reason that strong crosswinds would affect the stability of the car, or at least the feel of it on the road.

4x4_Welder · #94 07-04-2010, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

before you put a 7.3 in anything be sure and rebuild all the o-rings on the turbo and the hpop...
when they leak it's fun...

You're thinking 7.3 PSD. I've done the HPOP seals on my boss's F250, not a fun job by any means. Even less fun when i had to go back in a week later and change the fuel bowl drain o-rings. A word to the unwise- dieselorings.com is THE place to buy what you need for these jobs.
The 7.3IDI is solid, the only things to watch are potential cylinder wall erosion from cavitation. Use the additives, or at the very least keep on top of your coolant service, and you're good to go.
Biggest thing for me right now is how to make the oil filter and steering box play nice together. I'll have to sit the engine a bit high to get the oil pan to clear the steering linkage, but not too bad.

47dodge · #95 07-06-2010, 01:38 AM

20+ mph winds. My steering box has a bit of play, that can not be taken out any further without it binding when turning.

AlanTbird · #96 07-06-2010, 09:21 AM

This IS my life!
I have a 93 cummins with just 200k and an 86 603 MB with 160k on the motor.
The dodge body and brakes are showing its age and I have to constantly rig something like the A/c or the alternator wiring to keep the thing going. I LOVE THEM both each for what they are. Neither one has EVER left me stranded or owes me ANY $$$
The Benz gets 30+ mpg and the dodge 18to20
I can tow a HOUSE with the dodge and ride in style in the SDL.

pj67coll · #97 07-21-2010, 12:05 PM

This is quit an interesting thread to me as one of the vehicles I constantly consider buying is a Cummins powered Ram. Anybody know if my suspicion that a 6 speed manual 99 - 2001 Cummins powere Ram would be about the best of the bunch? Or do they already have the less reliable 24V motors. I've never heard about problems with leaky cabins and there a plenty of Rams running around here, but of course in Phoenix rain isn't exactly an issue. I don't think I've actually seen rain for over a year now.

- Peter.

Colorado220 · #98 07-21-2010, 01:06 PM

Can I just have one of each? I love both engines and both applications. Depends on the task at hand.

Local2ED · #99 07-21-2010, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj67coll

This is quit an interesting thread to me as one of the vehicles I constantly consider buying is a Cummins powered Ram. Anybody know if my suspicion that a 6 speed manual 99 - 2001 Cummins powere Ram would be about the best of the bunch? Or do they already have the less reliable 24V motors. I've never heard about problems with leaky cabins and there a plenty of Rams running around here, but of course in Phoenix rain isn't exactly an issue. I don't think I've actually seen rain for over a year now.

- Peter.

Might want to check on the cumminsforum.com for problems related to the "53" block of that era.Not to want to scare you because that is a fine truck but it was a small problem with a few motors that isn't widely known.

pj67coll · #**100** 07-21-2010, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Local2ED

Might want to check on the cumminsforum.com for problems related to the "53" block of that era.Not to want to scare you because that is a fine truck but it was a small problem with a few motors that isn't widely known.

Do you mean the Venezuealan manufactured blocks with crack in them? If so I'm aware of that issue.

- Peter.

badtrukrisin · #**101** 07-21-2010, 06:56 PM

Just to add some info about the PSD. I drive one and have since 1998. I drove a 1984 E350 van with a 6.9 for my business also. Retired frome me and still working in Sacramento with about 750K. I drove a passenger van here in Mississippi until Katrina stopped the business. Those vans were all PSDs and the older ones 95-98 had as many as 800-900k on the engines. They all were ran hard about 300mi daily and had regular maint. Fuel pumps on the older ones and the aforementioned o rings were the biggest problems after the Dual ac compressors. So I guess it really comes down to reg maint. and oil, oil, oil, oil changing. Now my preference would be a 12v Cummins in a Ford chassis but that won't be unless I find a transplant. Remember this, I spent many years overseas mostly in the far east. The old 180D, 190D, 200D and the later 240D and 300D were used and still are being used for hire as taxis and not uncommon for 2-3million miles on them. Mercedes has something right about diesels and I don't think Cummins can compete with their record.

Bud

logdrum · #**102** 07-21-2010, 11:44 PM

Here in NM, the first gen Cummins truck seem to all fare well. I had one, wish I did not sell it, but with a fam we have a 7.3 Powerstroke instead. My father in law just got a new 2010 Cummins with a stick. I am really impressed during the break in period at the mileage it gets unlike the new Fords.

Cummins vs 617 -- My 1992 was rated at 175. Can you imagine what a 5.9 MB diesel would have produced from its stock 125. 250... maybe

t walgamuth · #**103** 07-22-2010, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by logdrum

Here in NM, the first gen Cummins truck seem to all fare well. I had one, wish I did not sell it, but with a fam we have a 7.3 Powerstroke instead. My father in law just got a new 2010 Cummins with a stick. I am really impressed during the break in period at the mileage it gets unlike the new Fords.

Cummins vs 617 -- My 1992 was rated at 175. Can you imagine what a 5.9 MB diesel would have produced from its stock 125. 250... maybe

What do you mean by "it's stock", please?

vstech · #**104** 07-22-2010, 09:00 AM

the stock HP of a 617 is 120ish, so MORE than doubling the displacement should at least double the HP right? not really. more mass more weight revolving, and other design issues, really limit the HP without seriously increasing both air and fuel consumption.