"starter" sensor compatible ??? 85 vs. 88 engine - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ivanlee190e · #1 12-27-2003, 10:53 PM

ok I have a 1988 190E 2.3 8valve that has a bad engine. So I was thinking about dropping an 85' 2.3 8v.

My mechanic already removed the engine and transmission and we were ready to install the 85' engine. Everything in both engines appeared to be the same since they are both 2.3 for a 190E.

However, my mechanic realized that the 88' engine has a sensor in the engine block very close to the starter that has a vacumm line attached to the computer. My 85' engine does NOT have this sensor.

Does anyone think it is still possible to install the 85' engine in that 88' car ?????????? What is this sensor and is it fundamental to the operation of the car ?????? thanks for any comments

sixto · #2 12-28-2003, 12:00 AM

I think it's a crank angle sensor that replaced the older version driven off the crank pulley. Are you sure it's a vacuum hose and not a coaxial cable?

Which fuel management system are you keeping? Can you use all the odds and ends from the engine you're keeping?

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL
83 300SD

ivanlee190e · #3 12-28-2003, 12:09 AM

I don't think it is a vacumm line, it's rather a cable, coaxial as you say. If the older version has to do with the crank pulley, do you think I can still drop the older engine into the car ?????

I don't really know about fuel management system, the fuel distributor and airflow and the lambda controls appear to be the same in both models. everything else regarding odds and ends appear to be the same.

I was thinking about using all the sensors and wires from the original 88' car. The only thing I wanted to install here was the engine block with head and possibly the intake manifold if both appear to be the same thing...

The only thing that worries me is whether the car will start with the older engine

sixto · #4 12-28-2003, 02:52 PM

This all goes way beyond what I know. I think the fuel management system changed from Bosch KE to KE3 with corresponding changes in the ignition management system including the relocation of the crank angle sensor. Maybe the new cable will plug into the old ignition controller... I really don't know.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL
83 300SD

mbdoc · #5 12-28-2003, 04:58 PM

The 1985 engine WILL not start w/o the crank sensor in the 88 car!! You would have get the complete ignition systen from a 85 car & use the 85 ignition distributor for the engine to start.

ivanlee190e · #6 12-28-2003, 08:52 PM

oh well, anyways thanks M.B.Doc for this info

I have another 88' engine that has the sensor, but is still attached to a parts car that I am parting out and I can see it has a bad piston because I can see the ring with only the head removed. I can transplant another piston from the bad 88' engine, but it's going to be a lot of work and money

Does anyone think pistons are compatible if one of the engines has a double-row timing chain and the other has a single-row timing chain ??????? both are 88.

mbdoc · #7 12-29-2003, 08:08 AM

1987 & 88 are the only 8V engines(USA) that share the same PISTONS!

ObVondw · #8 01-01-2004, 12:46 PM

Ivanlee, I just happened to have finished that same swap just a few short weeks ago. When I pulled the '85 engine and began comparing to my '87 I found just what you did. I was successful in making the swap, thanks to the help of my Pop. However, the process is a little detailed, so I'll send you an e-mail. Good luck to you.

ivanlee190e · #9 01-02-2004, 02:35 AM

It was impressive to see that you challenged that engine block hole specifications and now your car is running well...

By the way did you rebuild the 84' engine or just swapped it in as it was ???

ObVondw · #10 01-02-2004, 08:51 PM

Because I was working on a very tight budget, I dropped it in as is. I did swap the cam & lifters, accessories, distributor & flexplate. Runs well, passed smog extremely clean. Later, as $$'s permit I'll rebuild the original motor, but it will need new pistons, etc.