Rebuilt Engine Identification Tag
 

I just got back home with another '91 350SDL. The odometer is showing 284k but this engine has the small metal tag riveted to the block on the right hand side at the bellhousing area. I haven't been able to read any info from this tag but thought I'd ask what info will it give? Will this info be available from the MB dealership?

This car has been hit in the front but no damage was done to the engine. The radiator was pushed into the power steering pump pulley and the blades for the radiator fan were broken but all appears to be intact on the engine. The lady who sold me the car was practically giving the car away so I hauled it home to use parts for my other '91 350SDL. I hope to return next week to bring home the '87 SDL she wants out of the yard. It runs and drives. The interior is rough but I have a nice gray interior in this '91 I just brought home and it will compliment the black exterior of the '87. She is also practically giving this one away. I'm surprised that someone here hasn't already snatched these up.

forgot to mention...
 

The '87 SDL has a #22 head on it.

Clean the tag carefully with alcohol or acetone or something...
and a toothbrush...
then if you can not read it...
put some ink on your finger and wipe it across the surface... then clean the surface...which should leave enough color in any depressions to read it...
or once you have cleaned it...
take a good digital picture of it... with lighting from various angles from the surface.... probably low relative to the surface... to make shadows in any depressions..

the scrap 350sdl
 

Runs great!

another
 

Fixable.

Thanks Leathermang!
 

I appreciate the info.

It will run even better with the tag cleaned.....

my thoughts exactly!
 

That's the key! Don't tell everyone the secret.

Don't part it out!

do I need another 350SDL though?
 

I'm car poor already. I was thinking of long term use from my original '91 via parts from this '91. It wouldn't be hard to repair though.

Re: Mercedes Re-manufactured Engine tags
 

Two different kinds of Mercedes Re-Manufactured engines:

Re-Man-ed in Germany
Re-Man-ed in the U.S. (Can you guess who did these?)

I'd always thought that Mercedes provided the Tags ALREADY stamped with
the Newly re-minted engine's model and serial number.
BUT,Last week a shop forman ,at a dealer West of the Mississippi
told me they'd get the Tags "blank" from Daimler and stamp the info on them themselves during installation.
(I have a little trouble with this scenario,knowing Daimler does not readily
delegate this kind of Origination record keeping to Non-Deutschlanders .)

If one of those 350's has MB re-man tags
it will most likely have the stronger connecting rods #603 030 29 20(Which last time I saw any were $210. each)
AND Especial Pistons.(Both of which are no longer available) the Pistons were [an Internal Mercedes thing] never
offered for sale as a replacement part.
AND the Engine will be a "Keeper" no matter which chassis it ends up in.

thanks for the info!
 

I paid $500 for the car so there's enough usable parts there if the engine is iffy. I am going back Friday to buy the '87. I can use the front fender, headlight assembly, radiator, condenser, and other little parts to repair the '91. After I'm done with the '91 then I'll pull the engine and trans, along with every part I can from the '87 and put them in storage should I ever need them. The chasis of the '87 will then be hauled to the scrap yard. Maybe.

I may use the fender and hood from my '84 SD for the '91 and Part it out instead of destroying the SDL. The '91 is nicer than the '87 but if I don't remove and body panels and pieces from the '87 then I can always leave it behind the shed and gather parts (radiator, condenser, headlight assemblies) for it later on. Decisions, decisions, decisions. LOL

Fresh Fuel...
 

And she purrs like a kitten. There's a glow plug issue but those will be replaced soon. I hope to have the '87 SDL in my driveway by Saturday morning. In the meantime I need to get new exhaust manifold studs for my other 350 SDL. I keep seeing posts about upgraded exhaust studs but can't find a part number and searching on Pelican doesn't yeild any results. Any pointers?

Mercedes (Official) Electronic Parts Catalog.
 

Free ! ,
Free ! ,
Did I mention,It's FREE ?

They will require a U.S. based credit card number,only to prove you're their
customer.(No Charges will accrue to your card)

epc startekinfo.com

Once you've registered (Subscribed) It will allow you
to plug in your VIN and search the Database for parts
to your heart's content.

Exhaust studs
 

As of engine No. 960 045185

or

971 001830

Part number: 601 990 04 05