617 Rebuild Kit? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Dan Stokes · #1 09-01-2015, 05:40 PM

Does anyone market an engine rebuild kit for an OM617? At some point I'd like to freshen up an engine for the race truck and it's usually a better deal to get all the fresh bits from one vendor. It also helps assure that the rings match the pistons, etc. I Googled for such a kit but so far no luck (maybe my search term is no good - I used "OM617 engine rebuild kit").

Anyhow - another question - is there such a thing as a 617 crate engine? Again it's sometimes cheaper to buy the long block ready to go rather than get the machine work done, etc.

Just sort of thinkin' out loud here.

Dan

leathermang · #2 09-01-2015, 05:56 PM

Metric motors ?

dude99 · #3 09-01-2015, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Metric motors

Pretty much the only thing that springs to my mind as well... You pay dearly for it though...

leathermang · #4 09-01-2015, 06:17 PM

If you actually follow the OCD FSM when rebuilding a 617..... I am not sure there is any cost IF YOU HAVE THE MONEY which would be too high...
A rebuilding shop can set up jigs and afford the right tools....
and they offer a warranty.....
Read the FSM before making any decisions.....

charmalu · #5 09-01-2015, 07:12 PM

OM617.952 Rebuild parts list

Charlie

sent from my pos computer

BillGrissom · #6 09-02-2015, 02:52 PM

About 10 years ago, I bought rebuild parts from a company via the web. I'll get the name at home. They put together a kit w/ two gasket sets - upper and lower, crank & rod bearings, and rings. It wasn't too expensive ~$200, but no pistons (turbo cost $550 ea new if you can find them).

I knew my 1985's engine was going, but when it failed I found a great new engine, so still haven't used the kit other than steal a few parts which I replaced (from PP) to keep it complete. So far, I changed the cylinder sleeves in the old block, but haven't taken it to a shop for machining. Unlike most gas engines, you replace the sleeves so can re-use old pistons if they aren't damaged. Some of mine were, but I bought a used set from RollGuy here.

You can buy a rebuilt engine, but ~$8500. That isn't an extra zero, these aren't a Chevy small block. I saw an engineer-rebuilt one sell on ebay for much less (~$1000). One guy here posted photos of a 3-day rebuild, all at his remote ranch, but he has a block surfacing machine and other extreme goodies. I lucked out since my used engine was only $300 w/ accessories (starter, alt, ...) and was like new (>400 psig all cylinders, new camshaft).

Dan Stokes · #7 09-02-2015, 03:51 PM

Thanks, Bill. I'd really appreciate the contact info for your vendor. I have another engine lined up from a forum member and that's the one I'd like to freshen up. It may not need much - he's measured and recorded oil pressure and compression so I'm sort of back and forth as to taking it apart.

I hope to get out to the shop tomorrow (today sort of evaporated) and once all is bolted up I'll run a compression check just to see what I have with the current engine. When I have the $$ for the Swedish pump I'm also wondering about a stouter cam and other bits - hard to know ehere to put limited funds.

Dan

leathermang · #8 09-02-2015, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillGrissom

..... So far, I changed the cylinder sleeves in the old block, but haven't taken it to a shop for machining. Unlike most gas engines, you replace the sleeves so can re-use old pistons if they aren't damaged. ....

A good time to remind others who have not read the FSM...
EACH of those sleeves which he installed in his block...
are , according to the FSM, to be measured along with the pistons and that information USED TO bore/ hone the SAME SLEEVE A PISTON IS GOING TO BE PUT INTO.....
It is very exact in its instructions... even telling you how much to leave for the honing and crosshatching stage....
These engines do not give the amazing service they do BY ACCIDENT.... they are designed and built by OCD German Engineers who were constantly receiving feedback from the real world.... and thus many parts have THREE ITERATIONS..... so in addition to reading and following the FSM... check on the possibility of improvements which may have been made.... like the head gaskets which have more or less holes for cooling than the original.... you sure want to end up with the very latest and best developments they made to your engine.

BillGrissom · #9 09-06-2015, 01:20 AM

Dan,
Info on the engine rebuild "kit" I bought long ago.
Vendor was PartsDinosaur, Phoenix, Arizona, wholesale engine parts and kits
ENG 021-6129-STD PISTON RING SET
ENG 5B9306-STD ROD BEARING SET
ENG 09-12806 HEAD SET
ENG 09-22723 CONVERSION SET
ENG 09-32701 GASKET -VAL/COVER
ENG SS172 VALVE STEM SEALS
Total was $341 in 2008. I don't think Peach Parts will mind stating that since PD's website says Bruce retired Dec 2014.

In 2008, I checked 4 other vendors. Most alternates were much higher, ex. several had rings (5 sets) for $200 vs the $89 I paid. I didn't buy main bearings because I need to fit the crank if it needs machining. "Conversion set" means lower engine gaskets & seals. For some reason, PeachParts isn't in my spreadsheet. Skimming a few parts, theirs look comparable to PD, given this later date. Of course if you insist on genuine M-B, plan on paying 3 or 4 times more.

I bought the parts above, naively thinking I could do a simple "ring job" and "head job", like in a U.S. gas engine. At that time, I had a lot of blow-by, low compression (~250 psig), and was getting hard to start on cold mornings even w/ a block heater. The engine totally failed at 330K (seized, found stuff was bouncing around in #1, broken piston grooves in others).

I bought cylinder sleeves after the failure. I recall $11 sleeves on ebay (Meyle?) a bit earlier, but recall paying $17 ea. I don't think you will see that today. But, it isn't hopeless. For some reason, parts for my old 60's Chryslers seem to have gotten cheaper over time, though still above small block Chevy prices.

BillGrissom · #10 09-06-2015, 01:29 AM

Dan,
Info on the engine rebuild "kit" I bought long ago.
Vendor was PartsDinosaur, Phoenix, Arizona, wholesale engine parts and kits
ENG 021-6129-STD PISTON RING SET
ENG 5B9306-STD ROD BEARING SET
ENG 09-12806 HEAD SET
ENG 09-22723 CONVERSION SET
ENG 09-32701 GASKET -VAL/COVER
ENG SS172 VALVE STEM SEALS
Total was $341 in 2008
I checked 4 other vendors. Most alternates were much higher, ex. several had rings (5 sets) for $200 vs the $89 I paid. I didn't buy main bearings because I need to fit the crank if it needs machining. "Conversion set" means lower engine gaskets & seals.

For some reason, PeachParts isn't in my spreadsheet. Skimming a few parts, theirs look comparable to PD, given this later date. Of course if you insist on genuine M-B, plan on paying 3 or 4 times more.

I bought the parts above, naively thinking I could do a simple "ring job" and "head job", like in a U.S. gas engine. At that time, I had a lot of blow-by, low compression (~250 psig), and was getting hard to start on cold mornings even w/ a block heater. The engine totally failed at 330K (seized, found stuff was bouncing around in #1, broken piston grooves in others).

I bought cylinder sleeves after the failure. I recall $11 sleeves on ebay (Meyle?) a bit earlier, but recall paying $17 ea. I don't think you will see that today. But, it isn't hopeless. For some reason, parts for my old 60's Chryslers seem to have gotten cheaper over time, though still above small block Chevy prices.

Dan Stokes · #11 09-06-2015, 08:36 AM

Thanks Bill!

Dan

leathermang · #12 09-06-2015, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillGrissom

......I bought the parts above, naively thinking I could do a simple "ring job" and "head job", like in a U.S. gas engine. ......

I arrived at MB diesels with forty years of U.S. gas engine experience....It was a real shock to find those engineers thought so differently than what I had dealt with... a good paper FSM reading was eye opening.

Simpler=Better · #13 09-07-2015, 09:34 AM

*cough*cough*
I might know a guy with NOS pistons, in their boxes
*cough*cough*

ngarover · #14 09-07-2015, 11:31 AM

I might now a guy with an entire "almost" new engine complete, well it has about 10k miles on it... ahem...