Will 300D engine & tran fit a 300TD of same year? (1985) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

azitizz · #1 05-08-2013, 12:24 AM

Theres someone selling an engine and transmission with only 62000 Km asking $1500. I have a 1985 300TD with over 300000 Miles. Will this fit? is it a good deal?

What do others think?

Thanks for your input
Michael

davidlee · #2 05-08-2013, 02:02 AM

Well , heres the thing, yes it will fit but....... if you are taking a sedan engine and putting it in a wagon, the engine head itself is different, part of the rear Self Leveling Suspension (SLS) system is conected to the engine through the head and the sedan models did not have this hook up, now, that being said, alot of people do away with the SLS and run regular old coil springs in the rear, if you did that it would work perfect, if you wanted to swap heads out it would be a perfect fit, but who wants to tear into a 68K km engine, thats like 40K miles, thats like 2 years worth of driving on it, sounds pretty low, are you sure it has that low of miles? I would be very skeptical about the claimed mileage unless you some how know for a matter of fact the miles are true.
They have not put that engine in a car for over 25 years,

vstech · #3 05-08-2013, 08:12 AM

what's the problem with your current engine?

azitizz · #4 05-08-2013, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

what's the problem with your current engine?

Well, this and that, probably nothing that cant be fixed, although the other engine looks immaculate from the pictures. Even if its not exact milage as claimed, its no doubt many many miles newer than mine.

Im not sure Im ready for the project though. It sounds like no small deal to swap out the engines. But the temptation for a shiny new engine is tough to resist...

I spoke with the seller, he said an old man had this car as his hobby car, drove it in the summer once in a while, It got rear ended, his friend wanted only the upholstery for his ow car, and he had plans to use the engine for another vehicle to run on Biodiesel, but his plans have changed since.

Heres the ad: 1985 Mercedes Benz complete 5 cylinder turbo diesel with trans. - Winnipeg Engine, Engine Parts For Sale - Kijiji Winnipeg Canada.

How much would my old engine go for if I were to sell it? If I could get a few bucks for it it may help justify the expense....

Chad300tdt · #5 05-08-2013, 02:04 PM

If you go through with the swap and don't want to lose your SLS, I've been told that a w124 tandem power steering pump can be fit which will allow you to keep the SLS operational.

I was going to go that route if I wasn't able to find a good wagon head when I found that my head was cracked.

azitizz · #6 05-08-2013, 02:33 PM

So its not just the head that needs to be swapped for the SLS? It sounds like the existing old pump wont fit on the newer engine?

I have recently just invested some time and money into the SLS so its hard to think of letting it go...

Chad300tdt · #7 05-08-2013, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azitizz

So its not just the head that needs to be swapped for the SLS? It sounds like the existing old pump wont fit on the newer engine?

I have recently just invested some time and money into the SLS so its hard to think of letting it go...

The wagons have a special head that allows the pump to attach and operate by the timing chain spinning a gear inside the head that spins the pump.

The w124 tandem pump is a power steering pump AND a hydraulic pump. You'd have to fabricate a new mounting bracket and get a high pressure hydraulic line custom made to fit for the new length. Plus there would be a bracket fabricated for the fuel filter housing. It's a bit of work, but easier than putting a wagon head on the sedan engine you're looking at.

vstech · #8 05-09-2013, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azitizz

So its not just the head that needs to be swapped for the SLS? It sounds like the existing old pump wont fit on the newer engine?

I have recently just invested some time and money into the SLS so its hard to think of letting it go...

no.
if you swap the head from your wagon motor, everything will work perfectly on the newer engine in your wagon.

when you pull the head, be sure and have the valves, guides and seats rebuilt so you will be starting with as new as possible.

vstech · #9 05-09-2013, 11:49 AM

look in the water neck, zero rust present in the hoses.
look in the valve cover at the cam. should be smooth and shiny.
look in the turbo housing, should turn easily, and have zero in out play, and slight up down play.
look at the oil filter nuts, they should be pristine nuts, with negligible wear on the points.
take pictures of it and post them here. lots of angles, lots of pictures. use flash!

if you get the motor, I'd change the turbo drain seals, the o-rings on the air filter turbo inlet, and the oil sep drain and the drain tube where it attaches to the oil pan.
certainly change the thermostat, and the housing hose while the motor is out (it's a pain in the car)
all the clear hoses, and the alda hose, and all the braided fuel return hose, and the cigar hose.

sleepstar · #10 05-10-2013, 04:34 PM

that thing looks like it was rode hard and put up wet. 30k miles?

barry12345 · #11 05-11-2013, 10:08 AM

Even has a replacement water pump I noticed by the silicone sealant. One of those pesky water pumps that cannot last 30k I suppose?