300sd radiator in 300sdl - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pilot53 · #1 11-07-2016, 11:18 AM

Does anyone have experience with a 300sd radiator in a 300sdl? I read on the forum that it will fit, but the dimensions dont look the same. Is there any modification required?

Diseasel300 · #2 11-07-2016, 12:11 PM

The dimensions are different, the mounting tray is different, the transmission cooler is different. Enough significant differences that you'd have to be pretty creative to make it work.

bentrod · #3 11-07-2016, 04:35 PM

I went all out on my 87 300SDL. Expensive but a beauty! Now its worry free.

https://wizardcooling.com/german/mercedes/

bigsky1876@gmail.com · #4 01-31-2017, 10:28 AM

I HAVE HAD A 300SD RADIATOR IN MY SDL FOR A YEAR NOW NO OVERHEATING TEMP IS SAME. NO MODIFICATIONS NEEDED. JUST UNSNAP COOLER OFF SIDE OF SD DROP IN HOOK UP HOSES AND YOU ARE DONE. IT WILL HAVE A SPACE ON THE ONE SIDE BUT IT WORKS FINE

sixto · #5 01-31-2017, 09:51 PM

How about a 420- or 560SEL radiator?

Sixto
83 300SD
98 E320 wagon

compu_85 · #6 01-31-2017, 10:56 PM

The gas cars have the tanks on the sides I thought?

-J

ROLLGUY · #7 01-31-2017, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compu_85

The gas cars have the tanks on the sides I thought?

-J

Yes, and the hose connections are different, so NO, a radiator from a gas car will NOT work in a Diesel.

Diseasel300 · #8 01-31-2017, 11:37 PM

Specifically the top outlet is wrong on the gas radiators. The neck is right where the fan is on the slanted 603 engine (and no there isn't anything you can do to make it fit).

sixto · #9 01-31-2017, 11:50 PM

560SEL radiator, electric fan centered on radiator, custom upper hose... might cost less than an aftermarket SDL radiator.

Sixto
83 300SD
98 E320 wagon

noodles168 · #10 02-03-2017, 11:15 AM

These guys provided a beautiful aluminum radiator for my 91 350 SDL. Perfect fit. Only minor complaint is that the aluminum top unlike the original plastic will burn your hand if you happen to be working on a hot engine. I fabricated a heat shield and fixed that prob. Just a precautionary tip. My original 240k mi. bottom radiator hose connection broke away and overheated which destroyed the head. The head was replaced with and 86 300sdl head. SO CHANGE THAT OLD RADIATOR.

The Brinson Company

JHZR2 · #11 08-07-2023, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsky1876@gmail.com

I HAVE HAD A 300SD RADIATOR IN MY SDL FOR A YEAR NOW NO OVERHEATING TEMP IS SAME. NO MODIFICATIONS NEEDED. JUST UNSNAP COOLER OFF SIDE OF SD DROP IN HOOK UP HOSES AND YOU ARE DONE. IT WILL HAVE A SPACE ON THE ONE SIDE BUT IT WORKS FINE

This is info I need! So the fan shroud mounting points are the same between them both?

g300d · #12 08-09-2023, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bentrod

I went all out on my 87 300SDL. Expensive but a beauty! Now its worry free.

https://wizardcooling.com/german/mercedes/

Holy heck 600 clams!

JHZR2 · #13 08-09-2023, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g300d

Holy heck 600 clams!

That vendor claims 100% USA made. I’m not sure I believe it as the radiator looks like the Chinese ones on eBay.

martureo · #14 08-10-2023, 10:42 AM

Have you looked at the radiator for a w124 603 powered car?

I put a 603 in my w123 wagon and managed to fit a radiator for the 1987 300D in there. The bigger difference would be the transmission lines are stacked on the right side rather than on the bottom. You'd have to create new lines.

Other than that I found this one.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/275845483278?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-213727-13078-0&mkcid=2&itemid=275845483278&targetid=4580153136941820&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=&poi=&campaignid=437225723&mkgroupid=1224856224320864&rlsatarget=pla-4580153136941820&abcId=9300907&merchantid=51291&msclkid=af7af754d71c12cc02b8938021b90156

JHZR2 · #15 08-10-2023, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martureo

Have you looked at the radiator for a w124 603 powered car?

I put a 603 in my w123 wagon and managed to fit a radiator for the 1987 300D in there. The bigger difference would be the transmission lines are stacked on the right side rather than on the bottom. You'd have to create new lines.

Other than that I found this one.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/275845483278?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-213727-13078-0&mkcid=2&itemid=275845483278&targetid=4580153136941820&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=&poi=&campaignid=437225723&mkgroupid=1224856224320864&rlsatarget=pla-4580153136941820&abcId=9300907&merchantid=51291&msclkid=af7af754d71c12cc02b8938021b90156

Those eBay Chinese radiators do exist. But they’re questionable and don’t look original.

I have looked at a few options.

The best image I can find of a w126 OM603 radiator that would notionally drop in is the Liland, Champion, etc. all aluminum ones. They may be ok. Don’t look original.

So my mind first went to the 560SEL. Good fit and similar size but ports on the wrong side. Also, for this and others, MB kept a separate reservoir connector pipe, not a lower radiator hose where there is a T in it to go to the reservoir.

So that made me think. There was no body change from gen I to gen II for the w126 radiator area. What about the OM617 300SD radiator. It’s only maybe 15-20 hp less.

That could work….

Then ai read about the 1987 300TD. Bigger than the w126 OM617 radiator, but the AT cooler is on the side. I think the shroud connections are molded in. Bigger risk.

So the choices are a smaller 300sd radiator with AT connections in the right spots, or a larger 300TD radiator with AT connections in wrong spots.

Also, I don’t know if the w126 radiators are only held in by two clips in the top and the two round feet at the bottom, or if there are other bolts and screws that hold it in.

Regardless I’d need a different lower radiator hose and the dedicated reservoir line, or keep my OE hose (that is NLA as well) and cap the reservoir connector on the rad.

Any thoughts???