I finally found an excellent 1980 300D in which to have the engine from my worn out 123 transplanted. One too many road saltings simply ate the body. The new find turns out to have what seems to be a solid engine minus the outer trappings which were in the trunk along with a crankshaft, five pistons, additional injection head, oilpan and various other parts. Will the (experienced MB savy) mechanic to which I take the car be able to assess the condition of the engine now in the find as it sits? I hate to spend a lot of dough transplanting if the core of this engine is an incompleted rebuild. I don't know if the parts in the trunk were coming or going. I will try and find the last registered owner to get the lowdown if I can.
The find is in terrific condition with only the drivers side rocker panel in need of replacement. A fairly common problem as I understand it. A past posting suggested finding a farmer to do the welding thing. .you can't swing a dead cat around here without hitting a farmer. .Shouldn't I seek a frame & body shop before killing the cat?

Hey Barrel! Welcome to Mercedesshop!

I would think that your mechanic ought to be able to see any blatant (to him at least) signs of extreme wear or other equally bad items. If he doesn't have precision measuring equipment to check clearances with, I would be that a decent machine shop does. If the body is in that good of a shape, why not rebuild the motor...you're already a big step ahead by having it removed and disassembled...go all the way. (that's what I would do, anyway)
(my 2¢)
-Larry


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03/83 300D 184k
07/73 280 160k

Hey Larry, how's your 300D rebuild coming long?

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FrankieZ
84 500SEL EURO 87K
85 300D 267K (and still goin' strong)

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Larry Delor:
Hey Barrel! Welcome to Mercedesshop!

I would think that your mechanic ought to be able to see any blatant (to him at least) signs of extreme wear or other equally bad items. If he doesn't have precision measuring equipment to check clearances with, I would be that a decent machine shop does. If the body is in that good of a shape, why not rebuild the motor...you're already a big step ahead by having it removed and disassembled...go all the way. (that's what I would do, anyway)
(my 2¢)
-Larry

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks Larry, My situation is difficult to explain. The engine in the newly aquired car is fully assembled except for the breather and radiator and a few other peripheral pieces. Primarily AC things I guess. The engine looks like a rebuild. .clean etc. A cunundrum. The parts in the trunk are what is so bizarre. (I suspect & hope) they were taken off and then the job just stopped. I produce recordings (CD projects and the like)
and have had album projects just stopped with hundreds if not thousands invested. Not often but it happens so nothing surprises me. The injection pump in the trunk is rusted and gnarly and the one under the hood seems pristine. I suppose the shop guy could pull the head and see what is inside. It would likely turn over if there were a battery. The exhaust is disconnected along with the cooling network. The intended shop is pretty extensive and came recommended so I imagine they have all manner of gizmos for testing.
I know precious little about diesels . .Until my first 300, I didn't know that they didn't have ignition systems (as my Saabs all did) or that the horrendous noises they make are normal ,a 900 making the same noises would be on its way to an overhaul. All that clattering and such. I still am wondering about the love affair this company has with vacuum controls and the locking system in particular. It seems like dash pots and wires would be a lot more efficient not to mention reliable. Thanks for your input. . .How is that rebuild going? Better you than me, that's for sure. Under the proper tutelage, it might be fun. I am Mr.Magoo under the hood. I change oil and filters and install audio systems in my cars but that is about it. I've been putting off changing out the dimmer (multi)switch in my Audi because it seems like a hassle. Straight forward with Haynes but a hassle.

Well, in that case, the shop will most likely do a compression test first. Depending on what they find, they will wither tell you everything is a-ok, or they will grin and do a credit check with TRW. :D What you found in the trunk could very well be that the 'spare' parts in the trunk are leftovers from a rebuild. the shop could probably eyeball them and tell you if you have spare parts or paperweights.
As far as my rebuild....mumblemumblegrrrmumblenotimemumblemaybenextweekmumblesnarlmumble.
I do miss driving it...it sticks to the road much better than the devi...other car, and doesn't lean like a Citroen Duck either.

-Larry

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03/83 300D 184k
07/73 280 160k