450SL D-jet camshaft into a 75 450SL swap question

[shopcarpro]

Hi everybody, I have a 75 450SL with bad cam lobes. I also have 73 450SL and a 80 380SL parts cars. My wish is to swap the 73 camshaft into the 75 if at all possible. Can someone knowledgeable advise me on swapping a right side camshaft pls. ? I hv not taken anything apart yet, hence do not know the numbers on camshafts. Any and all pertinent advice is much appreciated.

[Frank Reiner]

Originally Posted by shopcarpro

Hi everybody, I have a 75 450SL with bad cam lobes. I also have 73 450SL and a 80 380SL parts cars. My wish is to swap the 73 camshaft into the 75 if at all possible. Can someone knowledgeable advise me on swapping a right side camshaft pls. ? I hv not taken anything apart yet, hence do not know the numbers on camshafts. Any and all pertinent advice is much appreciated.

Knowing the code numbers stamped into the rear of the camshafts is the first step. Remove the cam covers, read the codes with a mirror.

Mechanically the cams from the 450s will interchange, the cams from the 380 will not.

[shopcarpro]

Originally Posted by Frank Reiner

Knowing the code numbers stamped into the rear of the camshafts is the first step. Remove the cam covers, read the codes with a mirror.

Mechanically the cams from the 450s will interchange, the cams from the 380 will not.

Thanx - will do and report.

[alabbasi]

I don't see why not.

[Tomguy]

The only thing you need to be aware of is if the 75 has hydraulic ball studs. The cam profile is completely different if so and will not work with mechanical studs. They are likely both the same 57/58 series cams (the numbers on the back of the cam circles).

And if the 75 recipient has hydraulic studs, swap the mechanical ones. You can't go the other way though.

[rowdie]

Originally Posted by Tomguy

The only thing you need to be aware of is if the 75 has hydraulic ball studs. The cam profile is completely different if so and will not work with mechanical studs. They are likely both the same 57/58 series cams (the numbers on the back of the cam circles).

And if the 75 recipient has hydraulic studs, swap the mechanical ones. You can't go the other way though.

The '72-'75 are 117.982 engines and do not have hydraulic studs. They are all mechanical.

[shopcarpro]

Originally Posted by Tomguy

The only thing you need to be aware of is if the 75 has hydraulic ball studs. The cam profile is completely different if so and will not work with mechanical studs. They are likely both the same 57/58 series cams (the numbers on the back of the cam circles).

And if the 75 recipient has hydraulic studs, swap the mechanical ones. You can't go the other way though.

Thanx for all responses so far. I have a 53 cam in the 73 and 103 cam in the 75. 75 has a hole drilled in the stud as if its hydraulic, the 73 stud looks like mechanical as have no oil feed hole, in this case. 75 is a US model and the 73 is a Japanese market car. 73 also has rocker arm lock spring structure and 75 has no locks. Can I change the rockers from 73 into 75 as the 75 rockers are also showing abrasion. Thanx all in advance for any helpful comments.

[rowdie]

Now it's a '77 model? They are hydraulic. Which is it? '75 or '77?

[shopcarpro]

Originally Posted by rowdie

Now it's a '77 model? They are hydraulic. Which is it? '75 or '77?

I apologize - its a 75 on the door pillar sticker. US model.

[rowdie]

If it does have hydraulic check the engine number. The engine could have been swapped with a later model in the past. The D-Jet intake etc. can be changed over.

[Frank Reiner]

Originally Posted by shopcarpro

Thanx for all responses so far. I have a 53 cam in the 73 and 103 cam in the 75. 75 has a hole drilled in the stud as if its hydraulic, the 73 stud looks like mechanical as have no oil feed hole, in this case. 75 is a US model and the 73 is a Japanese market car. 73 also has rocker arm lock spring structure and 75 has no locks. Can I change the rockers from 73 into 75 as the 75 rockers are also showing abrasion. Thanx all in advance for any helpful comments.

Originally Posted by rowdie

If it does have hydraulic check the engine number. The engine could have been swapped with a later model in the past. The D-Jet intake etc. can be changed over.

Ball stud identification:
Hydraulic - one hex on the body of the part.
Mechanical - two hexes, one (larger) on body, one (smaller-17mm) on stud to adjust.

Rocker arm identification:
Hydraulic & Mechanical - large oil hole in center of ball socket.