Have I lost it? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

The Warden · #1 07-16-2004, 05:22 PM

Hello!

I had a dream last night...probably induced in part by medication (my wisdom teeth were removed yesterday morning)...and, rarely enough for a dream, I remembered it when I woke up this morning...and it sparked an idea.

A friend of mine has an '80's Toyota 2WD pickup with a 4 banger and a 5 speed. The engine's in non-running order, and the pickup (in deference to my Ford, I won't call it a truck

) has been collecting dust for a good year now. There's a possibility that I may be able to get my hands on it for somewhere between real cheap and free.

Now, for the crazy part

How insanely difficult would it be to get an OM616 to fit in? I imagine that, at the minimum, a tranny adaptor would need to be fabricated, and I would have to figure out how to get the engine mounted to the frame, but has anyone tried something like this? I'm thinking a 616 mainly for fuel mileage...if I did this, this would just be a runabout so that me and my girlfriend wouldnt' be fighting over my 123 so much (the Ford costs too much to operate to be a daily driver).

Or are the drugs (actually, not that many of them, considering) affecting my judgement too much?

I'd love to hear any comments on this...thanks in advance!

R Leo · #2 07-16-2004, 05:30 PM

Definitely drug-induced. Go back to sleep...but first, you better send those meds to me before you do something really silly.

leathermang · #3 07-16-2004, 10:01 PM

You might get lucky and find one at KEP .... Kenedy Engineered products.... out there in California.... lots and lots of engine to trans adapters.....

JamesStein · #4 07-16-2004, 10:08 PM

I've been toying with yanking the engine out of my 2003 Chevy Astro and putting a comparable HP diesel in it. My wife of course thinks I am insane.

rwthomas1 · #5 07-16-2004, 11:09 PM

I would try swapping the MB engine and transmission as a combo. Adaptors are likely not available for such a "different" swap. Check the rear axle ratio as it may be something way low like 4.11's..... If the oil pan sump is in the right spot it may be a simple matter of welding up new motor mounts and a crossmember for the trans. A good speedo shop should be able to come up with an adaptor to make the speedo cables hook up. I was gonna put an Isuzu diesel/5speed from a 80's pickup in a BMW 318 a while back. The Bimmer was too rotted to bother so I sold the whole shebang. RT

william rogers · #6 07-17-2004, 02:14 AM

I don't think you would gain that much in mileage ,but would be a cool conversion I sure would use the MB tranny and adapt the drive line.

I have considered going the other way and putting a 20 R or 22R Toyota engine and tranny in my 115 240 D when it finaly gives out I have two other diesels (81 SD's one that we drive and one with a bad tranny.then I would have a standard tranny and all parts to put in my SD with the bad tranny.......

William Rogers.......

P.E.Haiges · #7 07-17-2004, 09:51 AM

w rogers,

You might be an old man before the 240D gives out.

P E H

coachgeo · #8 07-17-2004, 10:53 AM

You read the thread in here about the 617A installed into a International Travelall right? Intercooled and LP injected as well.

I have been keeping an eye open for something to swap my Nissan Maxima Diesel (LD28) and tranny into. A 240z maybe LOL (direct drop in)

The Warden · #9 07-17-2004, 02:39 PM

R Leo, actually, the only medication I was (and still am) on is a painkiller that's just a souped-up Tylenol...nothing serious like Vicodin or anything like that, thank goodness. Things are getting better...but I miss eating solid food; hopefully in another 4 or 5 days...

Greg, how do I get on touch with them? Do they have a website, or do I get to pore through a phone book and hope for the best?

James, if I told my mom what I want to do, she'd think I'm crazy too. Fortunately, my girlfriend actually understands...although what she really wants at this point is to either steal my 123 or find a 300D 4 speed out there.

RT, other than the adaptability issue, why do you suggest swapping the engine and tranny together? I was figuring that one of the perks to this would be the 5 speed...not something readily found on M-B's

Actually, $$'s tight enough that this is probably a pipe dream in any event (getting the Toy isn't all that likely, although my friend's main goal is to make it disappear...which is why I think I may have a chance at all)...I doubt that I want to know what an adaptor woul cost

William, I supose that makes sense...and, actually, the 22R that's in the Toy right now is fixable; just needs a new crank pulley and a few other minor things. But, the

factor was the main reason I was even considering this, coupled with the fact that I cordially hate g@$$ers (and ricers for that matter).

Geo, soemone put a 617 in a Travelall?!? I missed that thread...I"m going to have to go look for it. How well did it work? My first diesel was a Scout II with a Nissan SD-33T (factory install) that only put out 101 horsepower...and it couldn't get any faster than 55 before wind resistance overcame the meager amount of power the engine was putting out. Granted, the 617 puts out an extra 24 horsepower, but the Travelall also weighs at least a half ton more than a Scout II.

The Warden · #10 09-03-2004, 07:04 PM

Well, this just stopped being an academic excercise...just talked ot my friend with the Toyota, and it's officially promised to me.

Good news is, I've got about 6 months to figure out if this is going to be feasible at all and to gather parts...bad news is, as always, $$...

So, does anyone have a wrecked 240D with a good engine?

engatwork · #11 09-03-2004, 07:14 PM

Warden - I have always thought that a small Toyoto or Nissan with a 617 turbo engine and manual tranny would make a really nice little truck. I would go with putting the complete engine/tranny in it versus trying to adapt a tranny to the 617 engine.

sixto · #12 09-03-2004, 10:03 PM

Warden, take an extra dose tonight and maybe you'll have a dream about how to register it when the conversion's done. The basic rule is that you have to use the emissions rules that apply to the later of the chassis and motor. I don't know how they figure Diesels into the equation. If it's an 84 or newer pick-up, you might have to convince someone that it's a 601.

That would be an interesting test of the system. I'd love to convert a late model full size van to Diesel AND be able to register it in CA. The out might be to certify it for use with a special clean fuel. LPG and LNG conversions aren't subject to smog checks even if the host vehicle was originally.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

LK1 · #13 09-07-2004, 10:25 PM

No offense but are you outta your freakin mind? Sounds like you have too much money and time on your hands. Why not hit a junkyard for a nice 22R or RE Toyota motor and have a 1 day plug and play install. I seriously doubt the gas mileage would be much better, and what you'll spend on the conversion will negate any mileage advantage you'll pick up. As to performance there are many upgrades available to the Toyota motor and their durability is certainly on a par with Mercedes, although I do believe the MB diesel is relatively indestructible. Good luck.

tolive31 · #14 09-08-2004, 12:56 AM

In case you need some inspiration, look Here. It's not a Toyota pickup, but it is one serious diesel swap.

#15 09-08-2004, 02:34 AM

Hi Warden,
Its easier to addapt a drive line to a new engine/tranny combo and alot less hassle and cheaper, then a tranny addaptor to motor. If all else failes, just drop a junkyard motor in and sell it to make alittle cash. they sell well up here, and should sell like pancakes in your town, and bring nice cash if its running.