I own a 380se and my wife just recently drove it into about 3 feet of water. Water got into the intake and I'm pretty sure she bent the rods. I tried taking out the plugs and starting the engine to flush the water out but flywheel will not budge. Car was in mint condition with 150,000 miles on it so I was not happy. I would be perfectly happy with finding another 3.8L engine to put back in it, but I was wondering what the proper procedure would be to put a 4.2L engine from a 420sel in it. I'm guessing the best thing to do is to also use the 4.2L fuel injection and the 4.2L ecu.

Goodness gracious! Sorry to hear of your misfortune. Sounds like it was a great car. I wish my 380SE had only 150K. I have 267K on mine now, but it still runs decently, despite lifter chatters, but for $1000.°°, who can complain?

Did the entire car go underwater? If so, there may be other gremlins lurking around on the interior electronics.

[QUOTE=86560SEL]Did the entire car go underwater? If so, there may be other gremlins lurking around on the interior electronics.QUOTE]

Unfortunately.....The transmission may be damaged also.
My 2 cents..... Evaluate the WHOLE car FIRST..... BEFORE starting on just a new engine endeavor.

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My Truck.. 2007 DODGE, 5.9 Cummins, 6spd stick, 4X4. My car..1977 240D, OTHER WHEELS...1955 VW Oval window bug, European Delivery (Holland) with a 1700cc, 2 barrel, Porsche drum brakes. 1939 WILLYS Pick-up. 1967 Triumph 200cc Tiger Cub. 1976 Honda 550F 4cyl Motor Cycle.

Talk to WhiskeyDan about an engine. I think he has a good one lying around in North TX...

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08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

Bummer.

Your car doesn't have the brain to support the engine management on the 420, so you would have to use your injection, maybe the whole intake manifold.

I have a 3.8 single chain short block that "ran when pulled" that you can have if you come and get it or find someone to haul it. You could use the pieces from your engine to convert it to a dual chain. But this would be a lot of work. Email me for details if interested.

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

I'm pretty sure the transmission is okay, but I'm going to get a second opinion here in a few days. I already checked out alot of the electronics with a meter and they seem okay, but of course you can't really tell without being able to turn the car over and drive it.

How long did it sit before you pulled the plugs and tried to turn it?

BTW, I have a good motor from my '85 if you need one. Shipping from 75489 may be costly.

It actually sat for about three days before I finally pulled the plugs. I would rather pay more for shipping if I knew I was getting a good engine, then buy a crap engine locally. I live in 42366. I don't want to put a bad engine in the car. Before my wife ruined the current engine, it ran super smooth, it only had 150,000 miles on it. Give me a few days to get back with you, I want to make sure the engine is my only problem, but I'm pretty sure everything else is fine.

I bought a rebuilt 380se engine from these people for my friends car. His is an '85 380SE that broke a chain rail and lunched the valves. I have worked on german cars for 35 years and these were the nicest rebuilds I have seen. The engine has been in the car about 3 years now without a problem. From what you describe your 380 like, the overall expense of the engine is alot cheaper than a new car. I DO like the 380's. Hey they have plenty of power, run on low octane fuel and sound sweet. Chech the site out. You won't be disappointed. One thing to figure in on the job is replacing ALL hoses, air intake hoses, water pump, ect. DO IT ONCE, DO IT RIGHT and DON'T HAVE TO DO IT AGAIN. Chris
www.mercedesengines.net phone , 800-622-6867.

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My Truck.. 2007 DODGE, 5.9 Cummins, 6spd stick, 4X4. My car..1977 240D, OTHER WHEELS...1955 VW Oval window bug, European Delivery (Holland) with a 1700cc, 2 barrel, Porsche drum brakes. 1939 WILLYS Pick-up. 1967 Triumph 200cc Tiger Cub. 1976 Honda 550F 4cyl Motor Cycle.

I really would prefer to put one of their rebuilt engines in my car but they want $7650.00 for an engine and I don't have that kind of money right now. I bought the car from an old man who could no longer drive it. It looked perfect but wasn't perfect mechanically, and wouldn't start all the time. I bought the car for $2200. I put a new fuel accumalator on it and that solved the starting problem. I also gave the car a complete tune-up (plugs, cables, dist. cap, air filter, fuel filter etc.) and after that it ran better then any other car I've ever driven (this is the only MB I've drove). I wish I had the dough to put a rebuilt engine in it because I love the car.
I thought the 380se needed high octane fuel. The only owner's manual I have is for a 420sel and it said to use high octane so I assumed that it is what I needed to use. Do the 380se's run off of low octane?

I would suggest you sell the body for parts if it is still in decent shape with no rust and then just buy a late model 420sel or 560sel in very good shape.

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2001 E55

2001 E320 Sedan

2001 Subaru Legacy

2006 SLK280

2016 Subaru Outback 3.6

I like the 380se because it is not as long as the 420 or 560. With the way gas prices are I don't think I want a car with a 5.6L engine in it. But it has crossed my mind to sell it for parts, but I think I'm going to find an engine to put in it if I can.