Hi all,
I'm new here and hope someone might be able to help me with my latest project. I'm building a diesel powered, '52 Suburban hot rod.
I'm trying to zero in on the drive train and have gone from a 6.2 Chevy (yes, I know - what was I thinking, etc) to a Cummins (6BT too heavy, 4BT a bit "truck-ish") and now I'm looking into the 5 cyl Mercedes TD.

What I'm hoping for is a nice, clean picture of the engine take from the side(s) such that I can get a feel for how the oil pan is sized/positioned.
I'll be climbing under one ASAP but pics of the engine out of the car would be a big help.

Also, any physical info would be great. Engine weight, length from the trans mount surface to the front of the fan, general width, etc. Or if there are any other sites/threads I should check, please point me in that direction.

The 'burb weighs in at about 3800 lbs with a small block Chevy. I'm running C4 Corvette suspension front and rear so I'm likely to be under that. This isn't about burn outs, it's about "something a bit different" so I'm not expecting it to win any drag races...
And here's a build thread on the project in the event you'd like to follow along.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=249457

Pic below is how it looked when I picked it up... a little work to do, wouldn't you say?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Chris

Attached Thumbnails

 

Photo:

http://www.mercedesengines.net/products.asp?cat=40

I have one on a stand. As soon as the rain stops I will shoot it for you. This one has the manifolds, etc on it so yo can get a better idea of the actual size of the engine. You also have to take into consideration the oil filter housing and the oil cooler.

I was thinking about sticking it into the 1999 'Burban I have but going from 300 to 120 HP seems to be too drastic a loss.

__________________
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Looks beat up, but solid. Gonna take a few hours with hammer and dolly, but worth it.

Go with the Chevy 6.2 - they are very durable in basically stock form & when kept from overheating... but the MB swap would be unique -

The 6.2 J-code motors have a little more oomph - Building one to last is less expensive than a MB motor, but I'll grant you that the Benz motor in stock form will last longer. I'm getting ready to swap a great running 6.2 from a 1989 GMC 3500 pickup (that I bought as a running/driving truck that I bought for $900) into my 1963 Dodge M37. In the truck, I'm averaging in the 22-23mpg range unladen with the TH 400 trans.

Grab an NV4500 5-speed manual trans to go behind the 6.2 & you'll be happy; automatic behind the 6.2 is about equal in excelleration to the 240D automatic -

YRMV,

Bryan

Ouch... that sump looks to be exactly where the 'burb front suspension cross member sits. That was my fear. I'll still need to see one in person but this doesn't look promising so far.
But thanks so much for the pic! Just what I was looking for.

The 6.2's aren't really that bad. I had about five or six of them in trucks and suburbans. They are kindof junky beside the quality of a benz but they work pretty well and parts are readily available.

That should be a lot simpler install in your sub.

Tom W

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

IMHO, putting anything with a computer in a '52 would be "less than elegant." Of course, I don't like to drive anything with a computer.

I don't think any of the 6.2s have any computers.

Tom W

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I'd use the 4BT.

Chris, sounds like a fun project. I'm a big fan of old trucks, hot rods and old diesel Benzes. A combination of all three sounds pretty cool! That said, I think I would stick with the GM diesel route. I had great luck with my 6.2L Suburban, which did a lot of hauling and plowing. If it's really just going to be a cruiser and the "different" factor is key, then a 617 should fit the bill fine. On the exhaust note side, the 6.2 running through dual exhaust and cherry bombs gives a healthy rumble. Especially during acceleration.

Keep us up to date with your project!

__________________

1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

Thanks for all the feedback and info. I, too, have had a 6.2 Chevy and while not a bad motor, I'm really hoping to find something more "interesting".
But in typical fashion, nothing is easy - or straight forward, at least.
I may well end up with a 6.2 but I'm not yet ready to give up on the other possibilities. Wish me luck!
Thanks again and everyone drive safely.

I didn't know that.

om603......