Back in February, my '81 300TD threw a timing chain, cracked the cam towers and cam. At that point, I didn't want to put anymore time and money into it, so I decided to sell it. A couple weeks ago, my 17 year old son asked if we could sell our 2001 Prius and use the proceeds to get the 123 back on the road (so HE could drive it) . My children are brilliant.

Thus began the journey. I found some suitable donors on Craigslist and then filled in a form on a parts finding website. That was fun. I chatted with one outfit one afternoon and then got 17 calls from them the next morning. When they told me the engine was running when it was pulled from the car, the compression was between 130 and 150psi in each cylinder. Yeah, right. A few days later I got word of a couple motors and one of them is now at the garage waiting to be put in.

It will be great to have it back on the road. It is otherwise in fabulous condition, inside and out. I hope it and the W210 wagon (gassed I'm afraid) get along.

__________________
Mike

1980 300SD
1981 300TD
1998 E320 Gasser Wagon
2000 SL500

That is a great story. shoot the prius and keep the 123 running. You have some smart kids.

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

Fantastic news - best of luck to you and your W123. If you get stuck for advice you know where to find us.

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

Good for you (and your son). As these cars dwindle in numbers, I hate to see overall decent or salvageable cars taken off the road, or fall victim to incompetent WVO hackers or just general "it's just an old beater" syndrome.

Hope the new motor works out.

Why not post a pic of you and your son with the car, when it's operational again....

__________________


Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

I just bought a used motor for a 85 300D and ended up rebuilding it.

617 Engine Problem

Make sure you test the engine before you buy it.

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76 240 D. Bought in 1998 for $25.
85 300D. Got it for free with a bad engine. ( Sold )
60 Unimog 404. What was left of it, was given to me. Now powerd by 617A.
88 560 SEL. Bought without engine and trans. Now powerd by 617A.
67 250 SE. Cuope. For resto or sale.
64 220SE. For resto.

Wish me luck... This one was "running when it was removed from the vehicle".

I'll keep you posted later this month when we jump in.

__________________
Mike

1980 300SD
1981 300TD
1998 E320 Gasser Wagon
2000 SL500