M110 into a R107 Roller?
 

My wife has been whining from time to time about having an R107, but the only one I would put up with would be a 280SL (notice that I love inline engines). Is an M110 engine out of a W116, W123, W126 a fairly straight swap into a R107? Are the (presumably ) 722.1xx transmissions used the same in the roadster?

I didn't see much in the way of swaps in the SL forum..

Rick

As swaps go this would be relatively easy. But absolutely not worth the trouble when you can just buy a 280SL or a 300SL. It would be more cost effective to replace an engine in a 450SL, sell it and get a 280SL than it would be to install an M110 engine into a 450SL even if you already had the M110 lying around.

Probably good advice, but 280SLs are pretty thin on the ground, at least relative to 450's and 380's. I was just thinking of the possibilities. I see M110 engines in the boneyards all the time that can be had for peanuts, and I would think the possibility of an R107 with a "blown" engine may present itself eventually.

Even this far
 

This is far out, but I have a friend with a turbo diesel R107, always bragging about the speed and mileage. (Unreal yes it's true).
There is a 6.3 M-100 powered R107 also, Haven't had a ride in it yet.
You can do anything which is possible.

With the 247 rear end in a 450, the 110 engine equipped car would get fairly good mileage too.

The 280 motor has a lot of torque and would not mind the tall gearing....especially if you could find a euro.

Of course the euro requires premium fuel.

Tom W

So, help me out here...are the manifolds specific to the R107 application? Does the oil pan in a W series M-110 interfere with the lower crossmember/suspension of a R107? Any other snags in bringing a sedan version of this engine over to the roadster?

I have to believe some folks with marginal/knackered 450SLs are going to think twice about putting boatloads of money into them with premium fuel so expensive. And I also sense that the average 450SL owner is less likely to be DIY-inclined than a scrounger like me.

Rick

It does??

That would be news to me. Please elaborate. I have put 20K on my SL using regular. I had no idea.

A guy I bought some 380SL engine parts from in western KY is doing this exact conversion. He is a knowledgeable professional mechanic. I'll see if I can get in touch with him and ask how it's going. I think he got the car and engine for very little money and his expectations are to come out of it with a "nice driver" SL. Personally, I'd find an SL that could get 23 MPG on the highway very attractive. No performance, but I think I read somewhere that MB's slowest US vehicle nowdays would outperform the 560SL!