300SD Engine Swap/repair
 

I just purchased a 300SD this morning. It had a bad starter, which I replaced. The previous owner said it had starting problems and burned out the starter trying to get it going. Once the fuel system was primed it would blow white smoke when cranking. I'm checked the compression and it had 150-200psi in all cylinders. The intake tube had sand in it, and the leading edges of the compressor wheel were rounded. Putting oil in the cylinders brought the compression to about 325psi on all cylinders. It's obvious to me the engine was "dusted" by someone not sealing the intake tube properly.
My question is: My Chilton book lists the 300SD having 110HP and the other 300s having 77HP. All the other engine specs look the same. What's the difference? Cam? Pump timing? Injectors? I need to replace the motor and don't want to change a car from one with 110HP to one with 77HP unless I have to. The car has only about 100K miles on it. It would be nice to get it going again.

Joe

77 HP would be a non-turbo model from about 1981 or earlier. The turbo 617 engines were about 120 HP.