A W115 300D without an engine
 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140568515226&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en#ht_1530w t_1084

Now I would want to get this and when I receive my paycheck I *might* be able to afford it but once you put in the cost of transporting it (I would have to pick it up with my parents since I'm 15, but we have a perfectly capable 03 Sprinter 2500 that gets 23 mpg and friends who own trailers). As some of you know, I want one of these with an manual transmission (have a 4-speed from a W123 240D (which I have been told is basically the same) I believe I can use, would want a 5 speed but you know that deal) and hopefully put in a 300D turbo engine. Since this doesn't even have an engine in it, I would like anyone who has knowledge of these cars to take the picture of the engine bay and go on paint (in accessories if you have never used it) and circle what has to be moved, and anyone else can point out what else is missing besides the engine in case I actually bought this (would probably be a while before I would get to have the money to get and install the engine and different transmission, but of course I may decide stock engine with stock transmission might be the way to go). And also I noticed something with this car: where is the thing to warm up the glow plugs and then start the engine (sorry I don't know the name of this) :confused: ? It's not where it's supposed to be *I think*. I'm posting this with an urgent symbol as this only has a week left on it

Forgot to add this, but BTW if any of you bid on this, it won't hurt my feelings but tell me if you do so I won't bid on it so you can get a better deal. I probably won't be bidding since I have little money right now but if any of you do win it, I think we all will want a post later on with good pictures and info on what you did with the car in terms of an engine. Main reason for this post is for me to learn what has to be moved to fit a turbo engine.

Also, please don't part it if you do buy it, it's such a nice car (no reason to part is anyway)

IIRC by 1975 the 300D had key actuated engine preglow and shutoff. If not, they're much easier to retrofit than a turbo engine. There's an idle control knob on the dash which will lay idle with a turbo IP. Or maybe the 116 300SD has an IP that supports idle adjustment.

Sixto
87 300D

The 116 300SD has an idle speed knob. So does the W115 300D, which uses a normal key start not a gorilla knob.

-J

Looks to be in decent shape and at a decent price if it stays in that range. However the 115 617 engine is not the same as the 123 617 engine. The 115 engines are not as easy to find and dropping a 123 617 in there is not just plug and play. Hence, play your cards wisely.

I think that is what Sixto was saying but thanks for a clearer explanation (well at least for me)... But that is too bad... I was rather fond of the idea of starting my car with the knob but hey it doesn't really matter.

Yea I have been told this, that's why I want someone to use one of the pictures included with the listing to sorta point out what it is that must be moved. I know it is do able but I need to know what I am doing before I jump into something like this.

Biggest issue is the oil filter housing I think. A 123 617 with an OE oil filter housing won't fit in that engine compartment I think. This means you will have to fabricate a remote oil filter to get a later engine to work.

Yea or I have to move the current one. I suspect it would probably be a better idea to fabricate one and put that elsewhere... I think they also said the battery tray/battery has to be moved also, and should be moved to where a battery is normally found.

It can be difficult to come up with the money at your age W123Fanman. Hey, we were all 15 once upon a time and you have a good dream plan there. It is complicated by the transportation problem also. I would work with your parents on this one if I were you. It does look like a good body, though I see all the padding has fallen out of the rear seat cushion - pretty common on those cars. 300D turbo would be nice, but you would need a different exhaust system also. The oil filter problem needs to be addressed, though with a bit of thoughtful machine shop work a plate could be made to shut up the old mount and move the filter system elsewhere and probably mount the nipples for the cooler hoses right off that plate. But money and transportation problems must be resolved before you can proceed. Work on it!

Well with money, I have some right now (couple hundred) and I have a paycheck on the way which I expect a good chunk of money and I do have some odd jobs (and more to come) working with other people on their landscaping and basic construction needs. My biggest problem is once school starts back up again I will be limited to weekends for work so I can only do so much work. A plus is I have a mechanic that I can go to for questions and my dad has known him for 20 years so I do have access to discounted work (probably one of the best mechanics in the area, works a ton on these old Mercedes, and my dad is one of his favorite customers and he does go the extra mile to keep our cars running at a cost that sometimes hurts him). So yea true I have little cash so I probably won't be getting anything this time around but I think it is do able. Reason why I wish I could get this particular car is the pristine interior (well a few scratches on the wood), and the fact there is no rust (a problem we all know with these cars). Obviously can't tell much about the paint from the pictures but looks good enough to just be able to shine it up and wax it and make it look nice that way. The bad is the fact it will need an engine so that's some definite $$$$$$ and the fact there is no sunroof (I would fancy a sunroof). I just guess it is best to wait until I have saved up enough then start looking again because I just estimated trip costs round trip to the city it is in, and that was about $800 :( but yea you were correct :o I should have a plan that I can actually work within

You know I am a long time school bus driver. I have driven many 15 year old kids to school. And it is rare when one sees a 15 year old boy that shows the really good sense you do. I bet your parents will go out of their way to help you, but maybe you are just a little young for a big complicated transaction like this is, you know, time, distance, a non running car, high cost to travel. But your thinking is so good!

thanks... trust me I probably have the most initiative of anyone I know and not surprisingly I have people older than me to come to me for help finding cars... And driving buses? Ohh I would hate that job but at least from what I have seen with my bus drivers in the past, it is not the easiest job and not the best paying either, but I know the people who do it like it usually. Must be certain personality types that like it. And parents... My dad being an owner of Mercedes before (well his 82 or 83, I don't remember which, 240D is in non-working shape, and he did have an early 1960's 220, 220s, or 220SE but he doesn't remember that either, and also a currently running 2003 Sprinter 2500 for the family/work) has liked my idea of getting an older Mercedes vs. my brother's idea to get a 90's Toyota MR2 MKII (not bad vehicles but I'm afraid they have too much power for a beginning driver, most of them are in California, and they are not to great on safety). Unfortunately my parents probably won't help me much because they currently don't make too much (my dad is a small business owner, has already had to close down 3 of his centers in the past couple of years, but it's looking much better in terms of revenue now in the past few months since he closed the 3rd center) and my mom works at one of my dad's most profitable centers (where I work some also, but only when there is a spot in the schedule that someone else can't fill), but I do believe my parents would help if they could. So yea I believe I am heading in the right direction but I really currently don't have the means.

Dont hold me to this, but I believe Daw_two may have an engine that would work. Shoot him a PM and see, if I recall he had a couple older ones.

thanks... Ill ask him if he has one