Eastern Ontario diesel conversion??????

[Graham]

Can't make head or tail of this ad, but it is for a 380SL with no engine. But perhaps it has a diesel ready to go in?

If so, interesting project for someone with more energy than I have!

1984 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Convertible | cars & trucks | Kingston | Kijiji

[mach4]

The car may be a good prospect for a diesel but the description makes no sense.

this is a very good project,1984 mercedes 380 SL,no engine,engine was shot,and gone to scrap,there is a n1987 300diesel just sitting with auto.trans,frame and under carriage very good condition,looks like it was undercoated,from day one.convertible top in excellent condition,could trade let me know what you have.

If the implication is that there is a 603 engine included that could easily be installed, that is absolutely bogus. It can be done, but major engineering and fabrication is required. A 617 engine is a near bolt in, but not the 603.

Being a Canadian car rust would be a concern and a good inspection should be done.

Even if it comes with the 603, the price is a bit steep. I paid $1200 for my 380SL with a bad engine for comparison and $700 for a complete 123 donor car. You'd want a complete donor car if you were to attempt a swap.

[Graham]

Originally Posted by mach4

The car may be a good prospect for a diesel but the description makes no sense.

Can't argue with that! Looks like something under a tarp in front of car. Ad is so mixed up that the engine could very well be a 617. Or if not, maybe that is why project was abandoned!

Being a Canadian car rust would be a concern and a good inspection should be done.

This is generally not the case with Canadian 107s. They don't usually get driven in winter and for that reason, they are often rust free and have low mileage.

My 72 has no rust and has never had rust repairs in 156k miles.

I just met a guy who lives near me and has a 1980 450SL . He spends winters in Florida. He told me that he looked hard down there as well as in states slightly north and couldn't find anything that looked half decent. Not much rust, but most showed wear and tear from being driven year round. Interiors and paint were often sun baked. He finally bought his car in Toronto. 79k km on odometer and everything including paint is original.

[mach4]

This is generally not the case with Canadian 107s. They don't usually get driven in winter and for that reason, they are often rust free and have low mileage.

Obviously I made some assumptions that are not true in fact. I stand corrected for the reasons you outlined.

[t walgamuth]

Originally Posted by mach4

Obviously I made some assumptions that are not true in fact. I stand corrected for the reasons you outlined.

It is still a very good idea to check for rust.

[Graham]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

It is still a very good idea to check for rust.

This is true wherever you are.

Even in South Carolina where we spend some time, I have seen quite badly rusted Mercedes on used car lots. They probably were bought at auctions in the North!

[Skippy]

In Nevada where cars don't rust, I had a very rusty 240D. Seems it started life in Iowa.

[jake12tech]

Good car for about $500.00.

[Zacharias]

A dried out or poorly installed windshield gasket can transform a car into a rustbucket pretty quickly -- anywhere except a desert climate, I guess.

[clacker]

That is a project that will never be finished. The car came from a scrap yard (SAW-Standard Auto Wreckers) expect lots of issues like ownership (might be branded or missing), missing parts, RUST (I have worked on several 107s, yes they do rust!!! most owners are not aware because the paint is still shiny, all they care about, while the floors and frame structures rot underneath). I would also be worried about the interior condition, and looking at the rear of the top it looks like it is not sealed with the body very well letting water in. You are unlikely to find a mechanic that will make this car run again around here, most shops are far too busy to bother with this kind of pain...plus the car is automatic! Start with a euro spec manual trans car...
The value of these cars is falling so fast lately it is better to start off with a known nice car for a conversion, not a scrapper!