190E 2.6 info needed
 

As I get closer to organizing my 3.0 190E conversion, I really need some info or underhood pics of 190E-2.6s, in particular around the radiator area.

I know it's a tight fit around there, as I have today measured the 300(T)E's engine against the 190E's engine bay.
190E - distance from firewall to start of the slam panel: 820mm
300E - length of engine from block up to but not including radiator: 860mm

Is this a bit of a tight fit?? :rolleyes: Fortunately I won't have Aircon, so don't need the extra radiator for that. Will I need a 190E 2.6 radiator, or will a 300E's radiator fit into my bay okay (with 190E 2.6 mounts)? Does my hood need to be different?


later,

Russ

P.S. 2phast if you're reading, could you email high-res versions of the pics of your underhood, or even take some of the tight-fit areas at each end/side of the engine? ;)

Pentoman:

I seem to recall seeing on at least one U. S. based radiator supply web site, the 260 and 300 using the same radiator part number. I may stand corrected. You might try surfing the web using something like EXCITE, looking for radiator suppliers. Look up what they offer for both the 260 & 300. It might be interesting to learn they are interchangeable.

Not sure about the other areas you inquired about; however, according to the specs. found in Robert Nitske's book "Mercedes-Benz Production Models Book 1946-1995", the biggest difference between the 2.6 and 3.0 motor is the bore. Stroke is the same. I wonder if engine height is identical? I believe there's a fair amount of room between the very top of the air cleaner assembly and the hood. It might just fit!

Thanks Mike. It's good to know the radiators are probably the same for 260E and 300E, at least I don't have to worry about which I get.
Have you noticed how the 2.6 and 3.0 share the same stroke as the 2.0 and 2.3 4-cylinders (80.25mm), as the engines are just the same but with 2 extra cylinders.. makes the job easier for me!

What I am still trying to discover though, is if a 190E 2.6 has the same radiator as the 260E and 300E. If so, then I can simply fit a 300E's radiator along with its engine.


later

ooppss!

I don't think they're the same part number, but that may be due to the mounting points/brackets.

A good source for under-hood pix is Ebay. A proud MB owner would quite likely be thorough in documenting the condition of a good specimine.

Good luck... and keep us posted on the progress of the project.

Jeff Pierce

Well thanks all for the comments. Unfortunately as you can see, you are 3 years late :).

And also as you see, I still sadly have a the 2.0 lump in my car.

It turned out to be too difficult (impossible in fact) to find a similarly low mileage 300E engine, and/or autobox (mine was reconditioned shortly before I decided to do this swap, but would have had to have been replaced).

And my dad (whose workshop I would hope to have used) wasn't really keen on the whole thing anyway, which is fair enough, but I'm still sad that I couldn't do it :(.

At least I still have the car and love it anyway ;). I still would like to fit another engine, and the right moment may come along one day, but for now engine swapover beasts are best limited to American Muscle cars i suppose :( .