W116 280s Engine Transplant - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jpp · #1 04-03-2006, 09:29 AM

I Own A W116 280s But The Engine Is Finished And So Also The Infamous Solex Carb. I Am Looking To Transplant A Ford V6 Carb Fed Motor Into The Benz. Will I Be Able To Match The Auto Tranny To The Ford's Motor? Have Anybody Done A Conversion Like This? Or What Engine Will You Suggest For Such An Transplant Into A W116

t walgamuth · #2 04-03-2006, 08:01 PM

the best solution in terms of doability, usability and potential for resale is to put in a good used benz motor. six or eight.

if you really want to do a merican motor, then i would think of a small block ford because of potential interference with the master booster.

tom w

jpp · #3 04-04-2006, 02:47 AM

WOULD U RECOMMEND TRANSPLANTING A W116 350SE V8 INTO THE 280S W116, DOES THE 350 HAVE MUCH MORE POWER(I CAN RECALL WHEN THE 280S MOTOR WAS STILL IN GOOD NICK IT HAD QUITE A DECEND KICK FROM PULL-A-WAY) OR WOULD U RECOMMEND THAT I GO FOR SOMETHING LIKE AN 420SE OR 500SE W126 MOTOR AND TRANNY? I HAVE THIS THOUGHT ABOUT A W126 300SE MOTOR??

t walgamuth · #4 04-04-2006, 08:15 AM

i would always tend to recommend an engine that is very close to the same year as the chassis so that all the ancillary systems are more likely to be compatable.

i think that the early 3.5 motors are known to be quite stout in the power department. durable too.

the trick is finding a good used one to put in. it might be as easy to find a good 280 motor.

the newer engines will physically fit just fine i think. the 380 and 420 are pretty much identicaly i think in size shape etc as the 3.5 but with aluminum instead of iron blocks.

tom w