Hi...as I may be looking at an engine rebuild, I'm finding that pistons are no longer available, is that true? Nothing listed in Pelican parts, but liners are available as are rings. What are other people doing? Also, is there a good rebuild manual available? This would be helpful to those of us who might might to start a rebuild on an engine stand in their garage or basement over time...seeing as a rebuilt engine is like $10K these days! It would be great to have an engine on standby to keep our cars going or for that great deal of a perfect car with a bad engine we may want to buy in the future...

Have you tried the classic car centre? Perhaps the UK/ DE locations have stock?

Great suggestion, thank you, I'll try and report back. I think the MB classic car center doesn't consider the W123/W126 classics yet, but your suggestion made me think to look in Europe and maybe expand an ebay search to Europe. As our cars get older, this may be a greater concern...given the high cost of a professional rebuild, more of u may have to try this at home, seeking of course help from the local machine shop of course...

I have a few non turbo pistons around which I would sell reasonably.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

See if this works:

W123 Service Manual
https://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/outside/12265/?requestedDocId=12265

What most people have done is pull out the original pistons and see what shape they are in. If they are still within specs they can be reused and the Liners are replaced and bored to fit the Pistons.

Like way back 10 years ago or so new Pistons for the turbocharged 617's were $450 each. Just one of the reasons for the high cost of a rebuilt Engine and an added reason to reuse the Pistons if you can.

Note that Exhaust Valves on the turbocharged engine are also expensive if they cannot be re-ground.

Concerning the non-turbocharged Engines there used to be ebay sellers selling made in Taiwan Pistons for them for about 1/3rd of the turbo ones price.

Be sure to read the section of the manual on the Pistons.

__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I bought MAHLE pistons, not cheap, made in Germany .

The Classic Center certainly does consider W123 & W126 to be classics and will source you many parts your local dealer lies and says are not available because they don't want to be bothered with "old cars" .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better