Don't forget about the drive line. That will have to be custom made. Mine was about $350 in Portland. Well worth it with greasable ujoints.

I'm in the middle of swapping my 4-speed in to a 1983 300d so I can give you measurements for the driveline (it's out) and I'll also post some pictures and lengths for my shift rods. That will help you when putting things back together.

I'm on my way to get a clutch so I'll post the info this afternoon.

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1981 300TD "The Green Lantern"
1980 300TD
1983 300D Euro "China Cat"

thank you for all the info and some pictures would help, especially with the shifting rods and drive line. as for the SLS, i have already deleted that system and replaced with conventional springs and shocks....omitting the need for an engine from a wagon.

Well Charlie brought up the point that one of the shift rods is only shortened by 3 and a half inches. Could be, but I cut mine by four inches and it worked out so good. I would recommend finding any place on the rod where you can take out the 4 inches (as straight as possible) and leave the threaded ends alone, as they are a rolled on thread and work much better then a cut thread. Make sure your rods are well marked (with paint), unless you have a welder and can weld them right after cutting.

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Junqueyardjim
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!

The ends are straight as I remember, then get the appropriate
die and cut the threads. just had to tweek the rods a little to fit.



Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Had any of you guys had to deal with a different glow plug system? The engine that is going into the wagon is from a 83 so I suspect that I will have to change the plug charging system?

The 81 should have the pencil GP`s like the turbo engine you are installing. don`t believe there is anything to change.

My 80 240D was the first year for the pencil GP`s. 79 and older had the old fat loop style.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

hey guys I'm new to PeachParts and have a question about a swap, I have the chance to pick up a 1981 300td for a trade for my rm250. I can also pick up a running 5.0 H.O. engine and tranny from a mustang. i would love to drop the 5.0 into the 300td but i was wandering if anybody would know if this would even work and if so how tough would it be to do?
sorry junqueyardjim to be bogging down your thread!

Its a good idea to start your own thread.

Anything can be done with enough money and work. Be sure you want a mustang powered mercedes though because it will not be as easy to sell as a mercedes powered one.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I see you found a motor, but too bad you didnt consider swapping an OM603 or 606. You would have solved the anemia issue of the W123.

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83 300TD (need rear wiper assembly dead or alive)
84 300SD Daily driver
85 300TD almost 400k miles and driven daily.
98 E300D *sold
86 300SDL *sold and made flawless 10 hour journey to new home.

Awesome Idea. As Walgamuth says below. Time and Money are your limitations. Add to that tenacity and ingenuity.

I agree minus the assumption of value. What something is worth is totally determined by the one forking over the cash. If I had the chance to buy a 5.0 powered TD that was put together well. I would buy it in a heartbeat.

Who doesnt like the rumble of a V8?
The W123 is a bit of a dog to begin with, needing some extra power.
The 5.0 is nearly bullet proof and easy to maintain.

Start a thread and follow through. Make it happen.

thanks man, i cant figure out how to make a thread though haa i feel like its right in front of me but i just dont see it (how to make a new thread)

well, it is never to late to get a OM606/603, i just happen to have a good running OM617. i would think the conversion would be a bit more in depth as well?
i have been hearing that the oil filter canister is different and needs to be swapped out, along with the oil pressure sending unit? I don't know if that is true or not.
Now i need to sell the original drive train on craigslist! what a pain! its going to be hard enough to sell and aspirated diesel, but it will be even more of a pain trying to sell a core aspirated diesel!!!!

The 5.0 sounds cool, but i prefer diesel. more power to you! sounds awesome!

what did you guys do for the transmission cross member? did you use the auto or the manual? was there any fabrication involved? and with the TD swap, was there an issue with the down pipe? i have a down pipe from a SD turbo charged engine, but not sure if it will fit correctly.
as for the reverse switch and park/neutral starting? thanks for the advice.

You want the cross member from an automatic 240D. No fabrication involved. The Nuts that slide in to the slots on the frame will have to be moved but that's no big deal;flat screwdriver and pry.

Here are the shifter photos I have. I'm on my way out to measure the front drive line and shift rods and note their position.

I installed the trans last week before taking any pictures.

Attached Thumbnails

     

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1981 300TD "The Green Lantern"
1980 300TD
1983 300D Euro "China Cat"

Neutral Safety switch: The plug that connected to the automatic trans on mine was straight and had 4 wires in it. Two thick ones and two thin ones. The two thick ones need to be connected together (preferably soldered) and that will allow you start the car.

The two thin ones are for the reverse lights. The manual shifter should have a reverse switch on it with two wires coming out. On mine, they go in to a 4 prong plug but only two are used.

I haven't researched how to wire that up yet. It's just a matter of completing the circuit but I need to find a Euro wiring diagram. There should be something in the archives for your car.

Stand by for measurements...someone "borrowed" my ramps.

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1981 300TD "The Green Lantern"
1980 300TD
1983 300D Euro "China Cat"