Convert from carb to FI?

[Mark DiSilvestro]

Originally Posted by OldMercs

Canada huh...so then Santa Paula, California would be a bit out of the way. Obviously a carbed 2.8 from a W114 would be the ideal engine for your situation, second best would be a either a carbed 2.5 or 2.8 out of a W108. I think it's hilarious that Mercedes made an entirely different block for the (mechanically) injected cars, too bad for your needs though. It's probably not impossible to convert your injected 2.8 to L-jet off a BMW or Datsun, but then there's the injector pump just hanging out. Mark seems to know his stuff, and I trust his say so more than the error-ridden Mercedes Buyers Guide that I've been getting a lot of info from. So Mark, are you saying if one ever ran across a D-jet M130 it would have to be euro-spec in origin?

Yes - as far as I know, the D-jet M130 wasn't sold in the US or Canada.

I just went out to look at the M130 carb-engine in my '72 W114 250 sedan. It looks like the SE engine MIGHT barely fit. There's definitely less space between the radiator and engine block than in a W108. It does look like the shorter W114 waterpump & pulley will have to be fitted to the SE engine to clear the radiator. I don't have a 280SE engine to measure, but with the shorter waterpump that's on my 250 engine, it looks like the stock fan blades are pretty close to where the 280SE distributor would be. If there's interference with the SE distributor, it may be possible to remove the stock belt-driven fan & shroud, then substitute one of those slim electric fan units from some late-model FWD car.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[MunichTaxi]

The header pipes and exhaust system is different between the FI and carb'd straight 6 cars.

I think i have the spare FI headers in my shed. I am in Olympia, WA if you want to e-mail me.

[snewpy]

Wow! So many issues to consider. What about converting the 280SE engine to carbs? I know the head won't interchange because of the changed passages but will the intake/exhaust manifolds interchange? If so, maybe I could remove the injectors and plug the holes.
This 280SE motor is sounding like a headache. Maybe I'm better off trying to balance the 230 motor that's in the car. At least it runs. Anyone want a good deal on a 280SE motor?

[Mark DiSilvestro]

Originally Posted by snewpy

Wow! So many issues to consider. What about converting the 280SE engine to carbs? I know the head won't interchange because of the changed passages but will the intake/exhaust manifolds interchange? If so, maybe I could remove the injectors and plug the holes.
This 280SE motor is sounding like a headache. Maybe I'm better off trying to balance the 230 motor that's in the car. At least it runs. Anyone want a good deal on a 280SE motor?

If you have, or can get, the original 2.3 flywheel, you could take it and your incorrect 2.8 flywheel to a machine-shop that can rebalance the 2.8 flywheel to match your 2.3 engine.

Fitting carb manifolds may not work if the ports in the head are configured for FI. In any case, carb manifolds won't solve the possible fan & distributor clearance issues with the closer radiator in your shorter 250C engine compartment. But if you can successfully fit that 280SE engine intact, you'd gain about 30 horsepower over the original 250C carb setup.

Otherwise, your best bet is to find the correct M130 carb engine.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[300SDog]

My guess is the m180 engine came out of a standard shift fintail. And then was adapted to accomodate the auto tranny of the 250C. Path of least resistance could be pulling the existing engine, mounting it on a rack for bench start and ballancing it at the torque converter.