WTB: 1991 300se Cylinder head. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JoeinCA · #1 07-02-2011, 08:48 PM

Hey guys,
I need a late m103 cylinder head. The lower the miles the better. I'm willing to pay a reasonable price for a complete serviceable head. If you have a rebuilt one ready to bolt on that's even better, but I may not be able to afford it....

The head on my car is beyond repair and terribly warped with serious pitting, luckily the block surface looks pretty good. I really need to get the car back on the road, as my backup 300sdl is in serious need of a complete front suspension rebuild and tires...

Best case scenario would be to find someone within a reasonable distance of Oceanside California, because shipping is pretty much out of the question due to the excessive weight of the head, and the lackadaisical and often outright destructive nature of shippers. I don't really want to buy a beautiful head and have it show up beaten into uselessness.

Thanks guys,
Joe

JoeinCA · #2 07-26-2011, 01:27 AM

I thought I had a decent deal made. $200 for a relatively recently rebuilt head from a wrecked car... But the seller disappeared.

So... Bump....

junqueyardjim · #3 07-28-2011, 08:03 PM

Joe have you checked the junk yards, especially the Pick and Pulls in your area. Here in central Indiana we have Mercedes with the M103 in them all over. I would say go to the yard with the wrenches you need and pull one off. If you don't like the looks of it, pull another one. There are usable heads on those engines, try to find one that is in the yard for serious body damage.

JoeinCA · #4 07-28-2011, 09:38 PM

I have scouted the local yard... they all have blown head gaskets... and none of them are wrecked. So.... So far no good.

Also, I have a back injury that ended my career as a mercedes tech... So goin g and pulling a head at a yard is a little difficult. I have to cajole my roomate into doing the work for me, and that is no small feat.

Hopefully a decent one shows up.
Thanks for the input.

sixto · #5 07-29-2011, 12:09 AM

Metric motors will take your head plus $940 for rebuilt head.

There's a couple on eBay for $400-450 shipped.

Sixto
87 300D

JoeinCA · #6 07-29-2011, 04:32 PM

Spending $1000 on a rebuilt head for a car that blue books at between 1700 and 2500 does not seem fiscally sound. Other than the cylinder head, the car IS immaculate... I'd be better off parting it out or selling it for parts and buying another one. I'm really looking to spend no more than $300 on a rebuilt head.

Thank you for the suggestions though.

sixto · #7 07-30-2011, 02:15 AM

That's a tall order. I spent $400 refurbishing a 91 300SE head that didn't need planing or valve guides.

Sixto
87 300D

JoeinCA · #8 07-30-2011, 02:29 PM

I understand that a rebuilt head for 2-300 is expecting a lot. I simply stated that because I will not pay a ridiculous price for a head that will still need 2-300 in machine work.

I can rebuild heads myself. But I don't have my own machine shop. I really would like one that wont need to see the blades, but a little cutting isn't a problem.

I mean, seriously.. this is not a desirable car or engine. It's a slow fuel hungry beast that people are dumping for 500-1200 for the ENTIRE CAR! Mine just happens to be in exceptionally good condition, and I have developed an affinity for it.

I guarantee that before I would EVER put $1000+ into an M103... It would be coming out and going to scrap in favor of an aluminum LSX chevy engine and trans. It's not even hard to get it to pass smog if you know what you are doing. 300+ hp... Overdrive... and better fuel economy. Plus engine and tranny combos can be had for as little as $500 with some difficulty, and you can find them ALL DAY for $1000. Figure in another $1000 for modified driveshaft, fuel pump, electrical, and steel for the mounts.

If I do end up doing the chevy swap, you would have to pry the steering wheel from my cold dead fingers. As it stands now, if it looks at me wrong one or two more times, I'll get rid of it faster than Charlie Sheen gets rid of an 8 ball...

Anyhow, I really can't afford to do the swap, especially since I am 500 miles away from my tools.

I've been checking ebay religiously.. there are zero compatible heads on there.

Thanks for the input Sixto, unfortunately, I can't just wave my wallet at the problem right now.

lorainfurniture · #9 07-30-2011, 02:35 PM

I have m103 head that came of an 86. Id let you have for $125. I pulled it off a reaaaaally rusty 300e. It might be ok.

Shipping will be an expense.

JoeinCA · #10 07-30-2011, 09:58 PM

Thanks for the offer.
Unfortunately that head is not compatible. The cam and rockers are different, and the combustion chamber is the wrong shape. The later head is a more hemispherical design.

On a positive note, the rebuilt unit I had a line on has apparently re-appeared. Sweet!

Hopefully I have a head in my hands by 2pm tomorrow.

Thanks guys