How to identify year of 2.8 motor?
 

OB:

If you would post pictures of the engine from a number of angles it will be a good beginning.

There will be serial numbers on the castings for the engine and the transmission - these will help provide date information

Is this mechanical injection as in "looks like a diesel injection pump" Or mechanical as in "there is an air flap and the injector tubes run to a round ish black device that has other tubes attached to it."

Does this engine have a conventional distributor and exposed spark plug wires , a distributor cap mounted direct to the front timing cover or no visible distributor ?

Does the engine use V belts or flat micro V style?

In any event be sure to continue posting info here.

2.8 engines date back to the sixties
I would be guessing this will be an old M110 2.8L with 722.3 transmission form either a W123 280e or W126 280SE
here's the M110 wiki : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_M110_engine
Here you see old Kent talking about the m130 engine : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE6acpIhpkM

Another question is : How do we know that then engine is even a 2.8?

Hi Guys! Many thanks for the comebacks! I've a few pics of this installation that I'll include here, but will get more this afternoon...
But to answer specific questions, Yes, it has mechanical fuel injection with lines like a diesel; The distributor is at the LH front; It has a big cast aluminum throttle body / manifold on the LH side; and Vee belts...

http://www.htf-models.com/carstuff/5..._RH_Engine.jpghttp://www.htf-models.com/carstuff/5..._lH_Engine.jpg

Engine number is a good start

My point was, where did the 2.8 figure come from since there was zero documentation according to the current owner.

The engine is probably mid 60's , have a look on the Vintage section of this web site.

The wind up corded under hood light is a Ford item though they painted 1/2 of the lens red.

Did this install look like it ever run?

There needs to be some sort of transfer fuel pump between the tank and injector pump since injector pumps don't make suction. There sort of looks like a fuel pump rearward of the fuel filter.

I'd rig up some sort of lawn mower tank to bypass the 10 year old fuel in the tank.

Loosen a line at the injector and see if fuel comes out while cranking.

It is possible for a injection pump plunger to get stuck in the up position and not move fuel. The fuel rack can stick as well.

These injector pumps might need a source of lube oil, I'm not sure. In any event, you need to get a hold of someone that has actually worked on this type of injection pump as parts are likely scarce.

[QUOTE=Ol_Bill;3593168]Hi Guys! Many thanks for the comebacks! I've a few pics of this installation that I'll include here, but will get more this afternoon...
But to answer specific questions, Yes, it has mechanical fuel injection with lines like a diesel; The distributor is at the LH front; It has a big cast aluminum throttle body / manifold on the LH side; and Vee belts... [QUOTE]

Looks to be an M130 (1968-71). Possibly an M129 (2.5L).

what a beautiful engine.

It looks like a variant of the M180 and which if a 2.8 would make it a M130. I don't know how to date one but maybe you can do some research on where the codes are on those and what they mean.

An engine-Nr. stamped on block, below spark plugs.

:)