if superiority is measured by decibel level, it is the superlative.

Does anybody knows the weight of the 617 versus 603, and may be the weight difference of the trannies?


The potential height of the engine bugs me , why would the 617 be taller, seems almost same set up.


Thanks for your help and expertise,
later J

__________________
85 MB 300TD with om616 4 spd
83 MB 300TD
83 MB 240D scrapped
82 MB 240D scrapped
97 Ford E350 diesel 4x4, WVO
94 Ford E350 4x4 diesel blown head..parts car
85 cherokee diesel 2.1, 300.000, WVO
85 cherokee diesel 2.1
85 lebaron convertible, to be electric
85 lada niva 4x4 with 1.9 peugeot diesel,
72 citroen DS 5spd, LPG
77 Jaguar XJS, LPG
73 corvette 350 auto
88 MB Gelande 240 GD military
98 Ford E350 mini bus to be new 4x4 camper

Very true. The 617 has a better sound than a 603, the 603 isn't as manly sounding.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Nothing beats the smooth sound of a diesel inline-six, I think.. Still miss that sound in the OM617-engined 300GD. And in addition, with an OM603, you will never need to adjust valves again, and it gets better mileage. Problem is the somewhat fragile OM603.960, the NA OM603 is more like the old OM617 in terms of durability.

Here in Europe, we used to have lots of W124 250D and 300D taxis with OM602/603 engines, many of them have got more than 800k miles and still run as good as new.

__________________
'95 E36T AMG (124.092)
'98 E200T (210.235)
'00 E430 4Matic (210.283)

my pullapart gets SDL's in it often. I'd find a 603, and be happy to have it!
that said, the 617 is about 150lbs heavier, and has less power... your car is going to hang nose down, and have trouble moving.

how good are you with a heliarc? you're going to have to build motor mount arms, and weld a spot for the 617 motor shocks...
it sounds fun, but I'd not want the car...

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Joe,
The 617 sits upright while the 60x sits over at an angle. I think it was done like that to reduce the height.

__________________
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

I always like the comments on comparing the 617 to the 603, ... from those who haven't had a 603.

The 603 is a great engine, even if it sounds more like a car than a cement-mixer.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

The 617a is like 675 lbs, whats a 606 weigh?

Well, you might as well start thinking about a turbo-606...that's the only real upgrade in my head

__________________
1982 240D, sold 9/17/2008
1987 300D TurboW124.133 - 603.960, 722.317 - Smoke Silver Metallic / Medium Red (702/177), acquired 8/15/2009
262,715 and counting

You'll hit two birds with one stone - you'll have a 606 and you'll be rid of a lot of those 617s to pay for the 606

Sixto
87 300D

That is not a good thing in hotter area's

Thank you all for the information, Currently we drive 82 240D and 83 300TD.
everything runs WVO on a two tank, HIH + induction heat at injector to 230 F.
Never had a problem , run compression test every 10.000 miles so far so good.
The family is expanding and I would like to get a slightly more modern car with ABS and airbags and wagon.
So that is the quest for the W124 300TD,
Now, the WVO comes in place and I feel that the 617 is better up to that task. Although I never had a problem with WVO I would imagine that it is not the best for the engine, for me it is a combination of price, recycling, independence to choose WVO.
If the 617 sludges up, looses an IP , a shame but oh, well. I do not know the Om603 but it feels that wvo damage would cost a lot more to fix.

I do not need the speed or acceleration as long it is not slower then my 240D.

So that is my argument for the w124 with Om 617
a more refined chassis with a less refined engine.

Anybody has experience with WVO in a OM603.
Does the 603 still has the ball in the pre-combustion chamber ?

Later J

__________________
85 MB 300TD with om616 4 spd
83 MB 300TD
83 MB 240D scrapped
82 MB 240D scrapped
97 Ford E350 diesel 4x4, WVO
94 Ford E350 4x4 diesel blown head..parts car
85 cherokee diesel 2.1, 300.000, WVO
85 cherokee diesel 2.1
85 lebaron convertible, to be electric
85 lada niva 4x4 with 1.9 peugeot diesel,
72 citroen DS 5spd, LPG
77 Jaguar XJS, LPG
73 corvette 350 auto
88 MB Gelande 240 GD military
98 Ford E350 mini bus to be new 4x4 camper

You'll need a 617 with an SLS pump unless you can keep the 124 tandem pump with the 617.

603 has a ball in the prechamber.

There's not a lot of difference between a 617 and 603 that WVO would or could affect [edit] differently.

Sixto
87 300D

Still a ball?
That is great, I though that the ball in the 617 made it more acceptable with WVO and at the same time less efficient. I have to study more. What is the main contributing factor for the 603 to be more efficient and I mean the engine itself not the drag factor?

May be I have to try the 603. On the other hand the simple 617 could leave some extra room in the engine compartment. I love the 240 for that.

later J

__________________
85 MB 300TD with om616 4 spd
83 MB 300TD
83 MB 240D scrapped
82 MB 240D scrapped
97 Ford E350 diesel 4x4, WVO
94 Ford E350 4x4 diesel blown head..parts car
85 cherokee diesel 2.1, 300.000, WVO
85 cherokee diesel 2.1
85 lebaron convertible, to be electric
85 lada niva 4x4 with 1.9 peugeot diesel,
72 citroen DS 5spd, LPG
77 Jaguar XJS, LPG
73 corvette 350 auto
88 MB Gelande 240 GD military
98 Ford E350 mini bus to be new 4x4 camper

The cross flow head which allows larger ports and maybe larger valves is the big difference.

Sixto
87 300D