'89 420SEL rebuild or junkyard engine?

[Aaron]

Ok, was wondering what some of your thoughts might be concerning this matter..

420SEL came into our dealer on a flatbed truck, wouldn't run.. After diagnosis, we found a popped timing chain. The owner didn't want to put the $6,600 into the car to repair it (I can't understand why, it's in mint condition other than the engine). So she offered me the car for $1,000! Of course, I accpeted readily and now the car is sitting in my driveway either waiting for me to do a chain and have the heads redone or maybe drop in a rebuilt or junkyard engine. Metric Motors is asking $6,200 for a rebuilt longblock, AAA Small Car World wants like $900 for an engine (guaranteed to run), or it'll cost me $1,100 to do the chain and heads myself. So basically I am wanting some opinions on junkyard engines. I think $6,200 may be a little too much to spend, and I can certainly do the chain myself here at home, but would like to save the aggrivation by trying a salvage engine. Please help!



------------------
Rgds,
Aaron Greenberg
MB technician
'67 250SE Cabriolet
'77 450SL
'79 6.9
'79 6.9
'80 300SD
'81 240D
'85 380SE
'89 420SEL
'93 300E 2.8

[Benzmac]

I have seen a number of these do this. I have done the Valve Job for about $3,000 including the new valves and new hoses and injection nozzles. All have gone great with no comebacks and no burning oil. Take off the oil cap and look in, if you see clean metal and no black death (burned on oil) go for the valve job and new timing chain, sprockets and bow rail and other rails. Good luck.

------------------
Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM