280se to 280s engine swap

[Paul West]

New here, so my knowledge is better than yesterday...thanks Bill!

I have a 1969 280S (carborated) with engine trouble, blowing oil after a few minutes of the engine running. Body is clean and pretty much original, interior is great. Chassis 108.016-12-019427 and engine 130.920-12- 009030

I have found a 1969 280SE (fuel injected) that runs well, but the body is very, very poor.
Both are 1969 four door sedans, chassis 108.018-12-042388 and engine 130.980.-12-020229

Am I facing problems switching the engine and transmission units between the vehicles?

Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks

[MunichTaxi]

All the pictures, in the Service manual, show the engine+tranny removed as 1 unit.
You will need a leveler for your engine hoist.

otherwise, seperating the engine+tranny involves the 3 pairs of bolts (6 total) on the flex plate and other difficult-to-reach bolts between the interface of these units.

I am guessing the wiring is different, beacuse of various sensors on the FI engine. And the FI engine assumably has more electrical relays.

Will the donor car be next to the transplant?

[Arthur Dalton]

You will need injection fuel pump/system for the MFI.

[bwostosh]

I have a good 280S and need a 280SE.

[cth350]

a double motor swap? Not to mention crossing from one extreme of the west coast to the other.

You can pick up the motor and move it, as long as you also move the transmission, exhaust and a small amount of the wiring that controls the FI system.

One bit of trivia to watch for is the drive shaft. Eyeball the two transmissions. If the look the same, the drive shaft is not an issue. If the two transmissions look radically different, you'll notice that the drive shaft bolts are different too, so be sure to swap the driveshaft too.

I am presuming both cars are automatics.

-CTH
PS Brian, update your email address at www.m-100.cc my email to you has bounced.

[ctaylor738]

Very doable if you can deal with the logistics. Don't forget about the fuel lines.

[Paul West]

OK, sorry for confusion, but I am new at this.
Both cars are automatics and sitting side by side, and I will be removing the engines and tranmissions as a unit and keeping the fuel system intact.

I will take things slowly and carefully and report back my progress.

Because of your help, I am encouraged to begin. I just didn't wish to ruin a beautiful Mercedes by doing something stupid!

Thanks again!....Paul

[Arthur Dalton]

Look under the MFI car in the rear and you will see the electrtic fuel pump
and fuel system that is going to be required for the Injected engine.
You must use the return line set-up.

[Paul West]

Thank you Arthur, I will be careful removing the lines and switch them between the two cars. Paul

Just decided to remove lines and pump before setting the engine and tranny into place, easier to do with extra room?

[Arthur Dalton]

Good idea..may want to run the elecric back there for the pump too.
May even want to consider changing the tanl b/c the MFI system uses a Swirl Pot type tank canister inside the tank that the carb engine does not use.

[Paul West]

Originally Posted by Arthur Dalton

Good idea..may want to run the elecric back there for the pump too.
May even want to consider changing the tanl b/c the MFI system uses a Swirl Pot type tank canister inside the tank that the carb engine does not use.

Definately!, I removed the sensor on the 280s, took a peak, and the tank is spotless and clean!

[Q45Denver]

Originally Posted by bwostosh

I have a good 280S and need a 280SE.

I have a good 280SE in Denver.

[Paul West]

I have a great mechanically sound 280SE, running but body and interior are poor at best.
This is the donor car for the conversion!

[Arthur Dalton]

Here is a Tool trick for taking off the tank Hex Plug.
Inverted spark plug socket.................

http://members.aol.com/ajdalton7/screen

[spikemcl]

if the donor does not and the receiver does then there may be additional issues.