617 TD engine into 124 wagon - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

bigblockchev · #1 11-27-2011, 09:16 PM

I just picked up a 92 300TE , body is nice , a few minor issues, windows sunroof stuff like that . It failed emissions on nox by a bit, rather than spending money on fixing the gasser motor I wondered about the feasibility of swappung an diesel engine & trans from an older TD. The 603 engines are expensive and rare but the 617 engines are cheap and plentiful. Less power I realize but maybe a practical project. anyone ever done it or a similar swap. I have done engine swaps before so that doesen't scare me. Are there any deal killers I should know about. Cheers Dan

vstech · #2 11-27-2011, 09:19 PM

603 may be rare (although with all the SDL's it shouldn't be) the 602's may be an easier motor to source, and would drop right in.

bigblockchev · #3 11-27-2011, 09:56 PM

I have searched locally for 602 and 603 turbo motors locally for the last couple of years and have not encounterd one that looked viable. Lots of 617 motors on the other hand. Cheers Dan

t walgamuth · #4 11-27-2011, 11:14 PM

Would it be legal to swap in an older motor?

bigblockchev · #5 11-27-2011, 11:31 PM

They don't check, they barely recognize diesels in any case. Cheers Dan

charmalu · #6 11-27-2011, 11:39 PM

Didja see this just posted?

1987 OM603 Turbo engine and transmission

Charlie

ashedd · #7 11-28-2011, 12:14 PM

Hey now... I wanted to be the first to do it lol.

I have read that the 617 is way too tall for the 124, I'm sure it's way heavy too.
It would be much easier to buy a running car with the 603/602 in it and remove what you needed. But it's far more complex than simply swapping motors, there is a pretty big wiring issue. Sure you could get a 603/602 to run easy enough in the 124, but it would be a frankenstien swap if you didn't tie up the loose ends.

I'm going to study the 124 wiring diagrams this winter and come up with a plan. But it seems like it's almost not worth it unless you used a 94/95 wagon.

If my m103 ever dies, I keep trying

, then the swap will be a done deal for me. Every '87 300TD I find in the same shape as my TE are $5000+

bigblockchev · #8 11-28-2011, 03:14 PM

I believe that the 617 motor needs no wires to run and only 1 to start. the various temp sensors I would simply move over from the 103 motor or adapt in some way. The 617 motor that I am looking at is an early one with only vacuum lines to shift the trans and maybe a wire to make the kickdown work It also is a wagon motor so it has SLS. I have started a 616 motor without the key by disconnecting the vac line to the shutdown pot and jumping the starter solenoid. The glow plug relay is a big wire to the batt junction connector with a 80 Amp fuse inline. there is a hot in run or start to begin the timing sequence for the GP relay and a wire back to the GP light and a ground. The alternator is a big wire to the batt junction connector and maybe one to the ign and indicator light. Or adapt the 124 alternator mount. I probably would delete the AC but even that could be made to work if the 617 came with a working compressor. Am I missing anything important that is electrical. I am not sure about the weight issue the 103 is a pretty heavy motor as it is . There are 603 springs for the front end if needed. I am most concerned about the pan clearing suspension etc as that is difficult to adapt in a safe reliable way. Rad hoses can be adapted as can the trans cooler lines. Not sure about an engine oil cooler maybe aftermarket maybe not if the 617 comes with one. PS hoses could be adapted whichever pump works best. Cheers Dan

ashedd · #9 11-28-2011, 04:19 PM

Klima comes to mind... that runs everything of interest in the 603. If it were really that easy I think we would see a few 617 w124 wagons running around. I am 99.9% sure the 617 is too tall for the 124. If you give it try please keep us posted, but I would chose a 602 over the 617 any day.

On a side note: I NEVER got more than 21-22 mpg in my '85 300TD... so that is what you would expect with a 617 powered 124. The 603/w124 combo will beat that number by a bunch, and the 602 powered 124 will blow it's doors off in the mpg department. The MPG's and the "cool" factor are the ONLY reasons I would replace a m103 with a 60x series engine. The m103/m104 is just too smooth and reliable to monkey with the whole idea. The m104 is right up there in MPG's as well, but with more HP.

Again, good luck if you do give it a try.

vstech · #10 11-28-2011, 04:22 PM

if anybody wants to go the other way... I've got a spare M103 2.6L and a M104 3.2L...
I'm just sayin....

ashedd · #11 11-28-2011, 04:29 PM

and I got a spare 617... wish I had a spare '87 300TD.

I dunno if my '87 300D would be a fair trade or not