What is involved in putting a 617 in a '91 350SDL - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ROLLGUY · #16 11-13-2014, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krwsenior

Is there anything wrong with the 350 that's in there now?? Not all of them bend rods... I really like the power and how smooth mine runs.

Connecting rod out the oil pan.

alabbasi · #17 11-13-2014, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

What is involved in putting the 617 in the bay

A lot of money and not much sense. You're better off finding a good used 603 motor and drop it in.

krwsenior · #18 11-13-2014, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

Connecting rod out the oil pan.

Oh.. That's a good reason!

ROLLGUY · #19 11-14-2014, 10:15 PM

I originally posted this thread to find out the feasibility of installing a 617 in a 350SDL before I pulled the trigger on buying the car. The consensus is that a 617 would not be the best choice. The car was advertised as having a hole in the oil pan, and knowing a little about the history of these “rod benders”, I naturally assumed that a rod exited the oil pan. Upon looking underneath the car the other day, I did notice a hole in the pan stuffed with a rag. Thinking I would need at least a replacement lower end, I decided it was best to look for a 3 liter engine and scrap the 617 idea. All this was done before buying the car, and there was a good chance that I would not get the car because of all the calls the guy was getting. He advertised it as having a hole in the pan, so I knew what I was getting into. From the photos, the rest of the car was in my opinion about an 8+ out of 10 (yes it was very dirty inside and out, but I could see through the dirt that it would be a beauty). With only 99,000 miles on the car, and service records from the previous owners since new, I knew this was going to be a great car.
I am a Christian, and believe that my creator God is interested in every aspect of my life, so I prayed about it and said if it is God's will, I will get this car. When I first called on the car, he said he had a guy coming from 100 miles away that would pay his $2,800 asking price “if it was as advertised”. At that point I had given up hope of getting my dream car (many years ago I saw a white with gray interior 300SDL, and fell in love with it). The chance that someone would pull a trailer 100 miles to look at a car and leave without it seemed very slim. Well, the guy must not have read the ad, because he asked what all that oil was underneath the car, and he was told that it had a hole in the pan. The guy got upset and was told that the condition was thoroughly stated in the ad. The guy left in a huff.

The seller (Bob) then called me back and told me the whole story, and asked if I was still interested, as I was the next one on the list of interested parties. I told him my friend and I (Dave, the guy with the $) would be over that afternoon. When we got there, Bob explained all that was wrong with the car (almost verbatim of the ad). The photos in the ad must have been taken months or years earlier, as the condition of the car was not like the photos. It was still in very respectable condition. After Dave and I looked over the car, I told Bob that we were going to discuss it in Dave's office (his car). We discussed it's value, and agreed that it was worth to us/me about $2,400. Dave had in his pocket 24- $100 bills and we approached Bob. He immediately said “the $2,800 price is not negotiable” (I am sure he knew we were going to make a lower offer). Dave handed him the wad of cash, and Bob said “you are going to buy the car! How much is here?”. Dave said, “$2,400 and if that is not enough, please give it back and we will be on our way”. Bob counted out the money and when he got to 24, he said “I think I will give you guys the Thursday discount, $2,400 it is” (amazing how that works).
After doing all the paperwork, we decided that we would come back the next day to pick up the car. Driving home I was feeling so blessed by God, and was very thankful to have gotten the car. Now it even gets better. I picked up the car today (used a come-along to get it up on the trailer) and brought it back to Dave's house because he has a huge shop and a lift plus many tools. After getting the car off the trailer, I thought I would just bump the starter to see if it was seized. Much to my surprise it started right up! I immediately turned it off, not wanting to damage it. It did not sound like it was knocking at all. Since I assumed that a rod was the reason for the hole in the pan, I did not look too close at it. After starting it, I looked closer to find the hole in the pan was from running something over, causing the metal to bend and crack inward, making a hole. You have no idea how happy and blessed that made me feel! I am thinking that all I have to do is patch the pan somehow, and fill it back up with oil. If it is in fact not badly damaged (bearings and such), then all I will have to do is source an oil pan and replace it. I will start another thread and post some photos of the before and after, so stay tuned.....Rich

capflya · #20 11-14-2014, 10:27 PM

If you need an oil pan I may know where one is... Hope thats all the car needs. That will be a nice runner for a good price.

mach4 · #21 11-14-2014, 10:31 PM

Great story. I'll be following the next thread.

ROLLGUY · #22 11-14-2014, 10:35 PM

The crazy thing is, the car had been sitting for 2 months and the battery was dead. Bob charged it overnight. When I cranked it to see if it was seized, I did not even glow and it started!

ROLLGUY · #23 11-14-2014, 11:12 PM

I started the new thread:
Getting my newly acquired 350SDL back on the road

Peter4 · #24 11-15-2014, 01:29 PM

All this discussion about the 91 350 SD/SDL has stirred up all my old longings for this particular model. I drove a 91 SD that was great, but I was afraid to buy because of the bending rod issue. However, with all this renewed discussion I'm wondering if the small number of engines that Mercedes actually overhauled and repaired for this issue actually produced a trouble-free engine. Does anyone have any hard facts about this?

ROLLGUY · #25 11-15-2014, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter4

All this discussion about the 91 350 SD/SDL has stirred up all my old longings for this particular model. I drove a 91 SD that was great, but I was afraid to buy because of the bending rod issue. However, with all this renewed discussion I'm wondering if the small number of engines that Mercedes actually overhauled and repaired for this issue actually produced a trouble-free engine. Does anyone have any hard facts about this?

I still need to look through the mound of paperwork (service records) to see if the rod issue was addressed on this car. If so, I will be a happier camper than I already am...Rich

barry12345 · #26 11-15-2014, 02:16 PM

My thoughts on those cars is you just locate a good used 3 liter block and keep it. You get it cheaper as the immediate need is not there. If needed it is present or salable with or without the car.

As Allstate Insurance would say you are then covered. The three point fives usually give adequate warning over quite a period of time they are on their way out.

New rods or not is not that great a factor either I suspect. This issue was never addressed properly by Mercedes. Some 3.5s have never seemed to develop it either.

With the larger bores perhaps adding more nickel to the block castings may have reduced the issue. The real problem is there is nothing positive at the ownership level of why this really occurs.

Lots of speculation though. If Mercedes released the actual cause as lawsuits are not possible or probable this late. Perhaps there might be a way to avoid the symptom occurring. Perhaps not as well.

GJEMD · #27 11-16-2014, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter4

All this discussion about the 91 350 SD/SDL has stirred up all my old longings for this particular model. I drove a 91 SD that was great, but I was afraid to buy because of the bending rod issue. However, with all this renewed discussion I'm wondering if the small number of engines that Mercedes actually overhauled and repaired for this issue actually produced a trouble-free engine. Does anyone have any hard facts about this?

I've owned a 1990 350 SDL for 16 yrs and 115,000 Interstate miles after factory rod and head gasket campaign. 190,000 on the odometer. Not any issues. uses a quart every 2000 miles at 85 mph no more or less for 16 years. Strong as new rope.

t walgamuth · #28 11-16-2014, 02:05 PM

You're where I would want to be on one of those in terms of the investment. They are fine driving cars.

Peter4 · #29 11-16-2014, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GJEMD

I've owned a 1990 350 SDL for 16 yrs and 115,000 Interstate miles after factory rod and head gasket campaign. 190,000 on the odometer. Not any issues. uses a quart every 2000 miles at 85 mph no more or less for 16 years. Strong as new rGope.

Good to know. Every once in awhile I look for one with the factory rebuild, but no luck so far.

ROLLGUY · #30 11-16-2014, 05:29 PM

I looked through the stack of service records, and nothing major has been done to the engine. A few glow plugs, but mostly A/C recharges and repairs. I wonder how long the factory rod campaign is good for? Is it for the life of the engine? I believe the Trap-Ox campaign is good for life (one per car, but I imagine there are still some out there that have not been done yet), and wonder if the same thing applies to the 350 rods or head gaskets......Rich

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