Is it possible to just drop a 16V head on a regular 2.3 motor block? I got a berkkers catalog and by reading the articles I get the picture that you can just put the head on a 1988 (or higher)block. Is this possible?
Any help would be appriciated.

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-1999 ML320
-1995 E320
-1994 E420 (lowered 1.5 in useing Eibach)
-1980 300D
-Had 1985 300TD Wagon (for over 10 yrs)
-Had 1993 190E 2.3

You would have to change the pistons also, since the 16-valve piston has four valve reliefs in each one.

It would probably be easier to find a complete 16 v engine than just the head & other parts to do a conversion. If I remember right, the crankshaft, & rods were "beefier" too.

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answer is yes and no. The block takes the head and the block dimensions are the same...however.the 2.3-16 valve has a single timing chain....the 2.3-16 has a wide bearing set, 2.3 has a narrow set. But the block is essentially the same. 2.3-16 pistons are full floating 2.3 are pressed

Bekkers lists their 225hp and 235hp stroker blocks as "narrow" bearing blocks. Anyone know why they don't use the standard 16V "wide" bearing blocks? Seams "wider-is-better" (or in Hawaiian, "e'ahou a'ula").

Brian

Thanks for the replies. This is the idea I had i was going to find a 1988 or newer 190 2.3 that has a blown motor (not to much
damage) for cheap. Then I was going to get the 2.6 16V conversion for the block and find a 16V head, drop it on and I am
done (well not quite that simple)
Does this seam possible?
Another idea I had was to get a 16V with a rough motor and do the rebuild. I am planing on doing this to the car if I can find a
good starting point.
Does anyone know where to find a head, or even a whole motor for that, and how much it would cost.
Thanks for any help.

of course its possible. anything is...but you will need a plenum and fuel rail... so many misc. [parts]. as a racer practical as a street car..... a royal pain even the AC is different. unless you find a wreck with computer wiring harness and all the other bs... it will be a true project. you are better off finding a late model wreck and putting the 3.2 or 4.3 engine into your car. The cosworth head rocked in 88 but I am not sure its worth that trouble.

The rods & 2 of the timing gears are the only shared parts between the 2 engines! The water jackets are completly different, but modifing a 8 valve block might be possible for good machine shop. The late 8V engines used a double row timing chain & only the euro cars With 2.5/16V had this chain. Find complete car if you want to run 16V engine. Too many other parts are different!

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MERCEDES BENZ MASTER GUILD TECHNICIAN
ASE MASTER TECHNICIAN
27 YEARS DEALER M.B. Shopforeman
190E 2.3 ITS RACECAR
1986 190E 16V

I agree with DOC. The 16v has oil cooled/sprayed pistons and the 8v does not. If you add up all of the things that are different, I'd say don't do it.

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Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
1992 500E (very soon I hope :)
1981 280GE SWB
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM