My beauty is a 1989 MB, chassis W124, originaly a linear 6 cyl 3000cc gasoline engine.

The engine needed a costly repair, as it begun to consume too much oil and other problems.

The option was to swap the engine. I looked for a MB diesel engine, however it would cost more than the car itself if new and wasn´t available as used.

The only suitable engine I found was a Nissan RD28 6 cyl in line, aspirated diesel engine, 2800 cc.

Size is a little bigger than the original engine as is weight also.

I did the following:

1. Hire a mechanic to install the new engine, including the japanese automatic transmission that comes with the engine.
2. Changed the old radiator for a new local one, made of copper.
3. Kept the steel protection below the engine (some adapting work was necessary).
4. Changed the old front shock absorbers for new original Mercedes ones.
5. Adapted an oil cooler for cooling the transmission fluid, after the cooling unit that is inside the water radiator.
6. Adapted a air filter body and air filter.
7. Install a diesel filter.
8. Install a hidraulic fluid recipient.
9. Took out air conditioning system (not necessary here).
10. Hire an electrician to make all the electric work, including all instruments BUT the tachometer.
11. Adapted an ignition module to transform the tach signal from the RD28 engine to drive the MB tachometer.

I think that was it.

The car is running well. It yields 40mpg at a speed of 70 miles/h in the road. It was measured in a 90 miles trip from Santiago to Viña del Mar.

What is still missing to improve yield and performance:

The 4 speed + overdrive transmission is working well, however, is it too "long". Overdrive engages only over 60 miles/h , and the car is slow in up slopes.

Hope this thread is of interest of some members. Will try to attach pictures.

Best to all.

Attached Thumbnails