Ok, so here seem to be my options at this point.

1. Have another #14 head offered to me as it came off engine. Not pressure tested. But should be ok. Price 100 bucks.

• Take the $100 head and just bolt it on the engine as is, reuse the new HG set and see what happens. Cost $100 bucks.
• Take the head and have it tested for 150 bucks, bolt it to engine reusing the HG set, Total Cost $250
• Same but buy new HG set Total Cost $380
• There is a #17 head that can be had for $350 Has been fully tested but has also been welded (unknown). Comes complete. with new HG set Total cost $480
• 603 with 114k complete long block with IP. 600 Bucks, 5 hours away. So with driving etc about 900 bucks. Part out current engine to recoop some of the cost. Have extra IP to poss send off in future...
• 606 with 240k and limited warranty 2 hours away complete. for 1700 bucks.

I have to say, I'm temped to go the cheap 100 buck path, reuse the gaskets etc (they have less than 300 miles on them) and also buy the 114k engine as a spare. If it the engine works it works and cost me 100 bucks to try so I'm not out much if it fails again. Plus having the second 603 sitting here would allow me to slowly work on it from engine stand and do what I want to there while I drive the car.

whunter's thread is an indication that there might be a broken valve in your engine. If so, there's an unusable piston as well. I don't think there's a decision to be made - this head, that head or long block - until you pull the head. For starters, pull the cam so you can remove the lifters. If the valve with the broken lifter sits higher; i.e., the spring is relaxed, it's probably relaxed because the valve face came off. At that point you can probably lift the spring and stem off the head. Running the engine for diagnosis and video didn't help the cause. Or bite the bullet and assume you need a long block.

Add $2000 and 50 hours to your estimate of a NA 606 swap.

Sixto
87 300D

True. on all points. until I pull the head and see the piston it's still a guess. When I get of work in the morning at 6am (current at work) I'll head home and start removing the head as it looks like I have sunny weather the next 2 days. The only good thing is I just had the manifold off so the bolts should be easy. The intake bolts on the other hand, I'm not sure how he tightened them down but I'm goint to have to run to lowes and buy some sort of bit/tool to remove them.


Edit... after looking at the other pictures further... I'm thinking maybe I should just go ahead and buy the other engine and get it in. I can always waste time and tear apart the current engine when it's out of the car. SO Justme's engine is spoken for and I'll run up and grab it here in the next few days.

OFF WITH HER HEAD!

That's a really good deal on an engine assuming there is some kind of warranty on it. If you decide on a new long block, I'll help ease the burden by buying your old one and I will probably be dying to get away from the family over the next two weeks and help with the driving (A Benz Family Christmas Vacation????? I mean how more mericuhn / dysfunctional could you get). We could watch MB promotional videos the whole way there and back.

HAHHA. I'm sure the used 603 is as is where is, but hard to complain for the price. Justme said he has a lot of stuff he's looking to get rid of so it should be a good trip. Figured I would just use the van and take out the back seats so the engine fits back there. knowing me, I'll end up coming back with other stuff as well. Or are you referring to that 606 we saw?

The 603 with 114k complete long block with IP for 600 bucks is a no-brainer. Pick it up fast before someone else does. I'd do some pre-work before installing, check chain stretch, re-seal the IP, etc.

Forget the 606 swap. It will be 10x more work and requires a lot of part swapping and custom fabrication.

:stuart:

Memory must be fading...Thought this was less than a million hours if the 606 came out of a 95 w124? Did I miss this coming from a w210?

OH, yes, sorry! I thought you were talking about an OM606.962 turbo, which is neither easy nor fun to swap into a 124.

The OM606.910 normally-aspirated motor from a 1995 E300 would be mostly plug & play, but not entirely. You'd need to swap the engine wiring harness and computers also. And it will have less power, and a LOT less torque, compared to the turbo 603. The price of $1700 for a NON-turbo with 240kmi seems insane, btw.

:blink:

I agree. it's a good buy and will find a good home in the car. Planning on going up either friday or saturday and getting it so I have the bulk of my break to install it. I want to be driving this car before the 1st.

Why would you swap the computers from the turbo version if your going to run the engine via the 603's pump?

just making sure you saw my post... I have a VERY strong 603 with the #22 head already on it in my parts wagon...

The NA 606 needs the computer to control its intake manifold resonance flaps. Plus if you are going to use the original 606 pump from a '95, it has an electrically controlled shut off valve and idle speed control. It is NOT however a fly-by-wire setup like the turbo 606's in the w210.

$1700 for a 606 plus the time and effort to install it doesn't make sense against $4000 or less for a running '95 E300.

Sixto
87 300D

He can get a 606.96 for under 2k and net about 150-200hp more out of it tuned than a 603. But 600 for 114k longblock 603 is a nobrainer for me as well, still easy to get 400hp out of it.