Broken timing chain 83 300d
 

There's a 300d for sale in my area with a broken timing chain. I have a head laying around somewhere for a 85. But I should I be worried about Piston damaged? Or is there something else I should be looking at also? I dot know the store on how it broke. But let's say he was going around 35.

Charmalu was doing 70 when his broke. It bent the camshaft, broke the front cam towers off the head, destroyed several valves and pistons, and managed to put a crack in the block. He showed me pictures. They were pretty sick.

Since this one was supposedly going slower when the failure occurred, there may be less damage. If you're looking for a project engine build for fun or to have a spare for later, you might try this one, but I wouldn't pay very much for it. Maybe a hundred bucks, probably less.

Yeah. I was thinking about it. I'm the only one, other than the deal ship that has a head for it with in 200 miles I bet. No one has bought it after two months.

If the car is nice otherwise, I'd say closer to $500-800.

Even at idle you'll have piston and valve interference issues. Anything past idle and the likelihood of several pistons being damaged increases (as well as crankshafts and heads and blocks and... and... and... etc)

Nobody can give you an assured answer.

The cylinder head must come off, then you will know "the rest of the story".

Here are a few vehicles found in your state.

Idaho - 300D

1987 Mercedes Benz 300D diesel
1985 Mercedes 300 Diesel Wagon
1982 MERCEDES-BENZ 300D TURBO
1985 Mercedes 300D OM617 Swap Motor Turbo!!!
Benz diesel manual transmission 300D 240D
Mercedes 300 D some or all for
1985 Mercedes 300D parts
1976 Mercedes 300
1983 Mercedes 300D turbo diesel

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Yes. I was thinking of the value of just the grenaded engine.

I decided that I didn't need to take a risk on it. The owner thinks the car is gold plated and won't move on the price ($1000). I'll just wait for a nice 300td to show up

well, if the guy has an otherwise clean and well maintained car, 1k may not be out of line.

OTOH, I didn't have any nibbles on the '82 300CD when I was trying to sell it with the broken valve guide at $1700 so I'm probably off on guestimated values for these cars.

If you want it, make a standing offer - say $200. At whatever point he decides he's tired of looking at it, you can snatch it. Make sure you say the offer remains in effect until such time as you buy a different engine/project so you're not stuck with something you end up not wanting.

This is the strategy I used in buying my 380SL chassis for the diesel swap project. The seller wanted $1800. I made a standing offer for $1000. After a couple of weeks I got a call saying can you at least give me $1200? at which point I took it.

The key to this approach is to minimize the impression that you're a "low-baller" trying to steal it or implying that they're crazy for asking so much. Say something like "I know that the car is probably worth what you're asking, and if you're patient you can probably get what you're asking. But for my particular project, it's only worth '$x' to me. If you get tired and decide you just want it gone, give me a call and I'll take it at my standing offer provided I haven't already found another project. I hope you are able to find a buyer at your price". This also puts a bit of urgency on them, knowing that you're actively looking and will take the first one that meets your specs.