I'm considering buying a W140 s350 with a bad 3.5L. I've swapped many 3.0L's into 90 and 91 W126's that had 3.5L's. But never attempted a 3.0L swap into a W140. Are there other considerations that are unique that would cause issues? In other words, are there bolt-on accessories on a W140 3.5L that do not exist on a W126 3.5L? Are there those types of differences that would produce any unique challenges fitting a 3.0L into a W140 that wouldnt exist in a W126? I understand the major differences in complexities with electronics, and non-engine related chassis designs, but speaking engine to engine, are there W140 centric areas of concerns with this swap?

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1987 300SDL #1, 1987 300SDL #2, 1980 240D, 1982 300SD, 1994 S350, 1990 350SDL, 1991 350SD, 1985 300D, 2005 E320CDI

Gone, but not forgotten: 1981 300SD, 1982 300SD, 1987 300SDL, 1983 300TD, 1980 300CD, 1981 300SD #2, 1987 300D, 1987 300TDT, 1980 300D

Well, I just bought it. So I hope it's not terribly different engine fitment wise.

Here it is...

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1987 300SDL #1, 1987 300SDL #2, 1980 240D, 1982 300SD, 1994 S350, 1990 350SDL, 1991 350SD, 1985 300D, 2005 E320CDI

Gone, but not forgotten: 1981 300SD, 1982 300SD, 1987 300SDL, 1983 300TD, 1980 300CD, 1981 300SD #2, 1987 300D, 1987 300TDT, 1980 300D

Good luck!

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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.

Thx!!!

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1987 300SDL #1, 1987 300SDL #2, 1980 240D, 1982 300SD, 1994 S350, 1990 350SDL, 1991 350SD, 1985 300D, 2005 E320CDI

Gone, but not forgotten: 1981 300SD, 1982 300SD, 1987 300SDL, 1983 300TD, 1980 300CD, 1981 300SD #2, 1987 300D, 1987 300TDT, 1980 300D

Just taking a few minutes over lunch when I saw the car to size things up, it looks like the oil filter housing is different than a W126. Looks more like a W124 with the removable top. Also, the exhaust manifold looks different in that it doesn't split between cylinders 2 and 3, but further back, and the turbo setup looks a bit different also. That's all I noticed briefly. If anyone else knows of any other components that need to swapped over, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks!

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1987 300SDL #1, 1987 300SDL #2, 1980 240D, 1982 300SD, 1994 S350, 1990 350SDL, 1991 350SD, 1985 300D, 2005 E320CDI

Gone, but not forgotten: 1981 300SD, 1982 300SD, 1987 300SDL, 1983 300TD, 1980 300CD, 1981 300SD #2, 1987 300D, 1987 300TDT, 1980 300D

Sounds like you should be able to swap in the long block and just swap over the ancillaries. Keep us posted!

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Chief

1991 350SD

Well, I got it to run. And I drove it 2 miles to a friends house to drop it off. Its got a 3 inch crack in the plastic tank on the radiator. I left the cap off. The temp gauge never moved. Anyone know which wire is for that so I can ground it out to test the gauge? Also, the turbo won't spool. Its been sitting 3 years. I pulled off the inlet hose and the impeller turns fine. Any ideas? I'm still considering the engine a lost cause. But I will diagnose before I totally give up and pull it out.

Thanks for the advice as always guys.

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1987 300SDL #1, 1987 300SDL #2, 1980 240D, 1982 300SD, 1994 S350, 1990 350SDL, 1991 350SD, 1985 300D, 2005 E320CDI

Gone, but not forgotten: 1981 300SD, 1982 300SD, 1987 300SDL, 1983 300TD, 1980 300CD, 1981 300SD #2, 1987 300D, 1987 300TDT, 1980 300D

Hey Chief! Yeah, I doubt I can beat my 9 hour swap record on this one, Haha. Just the amount they recess the engine into the tunnel is way different. I doubt the BH bolts are anywhere near as easy to get to in this. May be better off pulling the trans with it. But I havent even been under it yet. May have to wait until Spring if it requires a swap. I'm going to check the feasibility of repairing what's in it first, but I dont have high hopes based on my 4 or 5 previous experiences with 3.5L's. Anyone know if by 1994 if they had the windage tray, rod bending, and head gasket issues addressed that late in production?

Thanks

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1987 300SDL #1, 1987 300SDL #2, 1980 240D, 1982 300SD, 1994 S350, 1990 350SDL, 1991 350SD, 1985 300D, 2005 E320CDI

Gone, but not forgotten: 1981 300SD, 1982 300SD, 1987 300SDL, 1983 300TD, 1980 300CD, 1981 300SD #2, 1987 300D, 1987 300TDT, 1980 300D

Don't know about the windage tray or head gasket, but I'm pretty sure all the 3.5's when new were potential RB's.

I have mixed feelings about the W140. I think it is a much more capable car than the 126, and has many more modern ameneties. On the minus side, I think it's ugly, and a very complicated and potentially more expensive car to keep running. Sixto should probably weigh in on this.

Anyway, your right about the 9 hour record- probably won't get there on this swap!

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Chief

1991 350SD

Got a smoking deal on a new set of tires for it today. $200 for all four H rated 225/60/16 tires.

I hope they work out well.

Slowly coming together...

Hoping to have it back to it's former glory sometime next Spring after it warms back up a bit.

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1987 300SDL #1, 1987 300SDL #2, 1980 240D, 1982 300SD, 1994 S350, 1990 350SDL, 1991 350SD, 1985 300D, 2005 E320CDI

Gone, but not forgotten: 1981 300SD, 1982 300SD, 1987 300SDL, 1983 300TD, 1980 300CD, 1981 300SD #2, 1987 300D, 1987 300TDT, 1980 300D

Just ordered a radiator for it today. We'll see how it does after the radiator is installed. Here's a picture of the back of the car. It's very nice. Sat for a few years, so a fair amount of spiders made it home and spider eggs. But totally dry inside, and no rips or tears anywhere. Any W140 owners have any advice what to check on this chassis as I start to dig into everything?

Attached Thumbnails

 

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1987 300SDL #1, 1987 300SDL #2, 1980 240D, 1982 300SD, 1994 S350, 1990 350SDL, 1991 350SD, 1985 300D, 2005 E320CDI

Gone, but not forgotten: 1981 300SD, 1982 300SD, 1987 300SDL, 1983 300TD, 1980 300CD, 1981 300SD #2, 1987 300D, 1987 300TDT, 1980 300D

Oh, and does anyone have a figure on how many W140 diesels came into the US for the 2 years (1994 and 1995) they brought them in?

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1987 300SDL #1, 1987 300SDL #2, 1980 240D, 1982 300SD, 1994 S350, 1990 350SDL, 1991 350SD, 1985 300D, 2005 E320CDI

Gone, but not forgotten: 1981 300SD, 1982 300SD, 1987 300SDL, 1983 300TD, 1980 300CD, 1981 300SD #2, 1987 300D, 1987 300TDT, 1980 300D

Your swap should be easy, just get everything you need from the 3.5L, maybe even the sump. I'm doing a 602 install in a w140 as we speak. I ordered a sedan specific 602 sump (my 602 came from an SUV), had to change the pickup tube to match the sump, had to fabricate 2 new engine arms and modified the trailing edge of the front cross member a bit as the front of the sump was too close for comfort. Tranny mount and propeller shaft was untouched.
Good luck!

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85 190E 2.3(SOLD)
86 230E (-->300D) sold
87 300D (-->300TD) sold
68 250S w/ a 615 and manual tranny (RIP)
87 300TD (SOLD)
95 S280 "The KRAKEN" (Turbo 2.9 602 transplant) traded
86 190E 2.3... current project