FOR SALE: 280slc E-BAY engine
 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1977-mercedes-benz-280-sl-c-motor-inline-6_W0QQitemZ120194962893QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item120194962893

Starting bid is $49.99, located in W. Virginia, supposedly 90K miles.

I suppose with serial numbers someone could verify its origin. I will just say that it does have a clutch assembly attached at the back so it could not have come to the us that way as a us spec model. It lacks the complete intanke and exhaust manifolds. The exhaust man is specific to the euro motor. If it is for real it would have to be a euro motor if it came from the factory with the clutch attached. If a euro it would have had the hot cams and domed pistons. If in good condition the pistons alone would cost about $400 each if purchased new from germany, iirc.

That all said, there is no way to verify the condition of it without being there and possibly doing a leak down test. A periscope might reveal whether the engine has the high pistons or not.

I might risk up to 100 without checking anything and drive over there to pick it up. But the fuel alone would cost me over 200.

There is a fair chance that it is something good there.

But no way to be very sure without going with some sofisticated tools to check.

Pig in a poke....is it a fine ham or chitlins?

Tom W

The seller says it's from a '77 280SL, isn't that a euro-only model? I thought the US was confined to V8's by 1977. Those m110's sure have some tall cyl heads! Would it have been an EFI model?

I'd buy it for $100. Hell, you'd have spare M110 parts. Not like it's common to stumble upon.

a 77 280sl would indeed be a euro model. you could have a car which has had the original engine replaced with a us spec engine of course, though. Also no way to know anything about the condition of the engine from a picture. It is a CIS injected model, I believe. Of course on that engine the fuel injection and intake are missing.

Tom W

It's a complete crapshoot. Could have 90K on it, or 190K if the speedo was changed to a US model. Could have flat cams, probably needs guides and seals. Bottom end is probably OK, but would you go to all the trouble of building it out and installing it without knowing?

Best part is the flywheel, in case you want to convert an automatic.

Or 290,000 miles....or 390,000. Not kidding those 110 motors are really tough.

I have a flywheel from a 107 280sl for sale if you needed that.

Still if it were close by I would risk a hundred or so if I could pick it up just for the parts.

Tom W

Tom, check out Uship.com

If you look at the other items for sale the intake manifold is there, but none of the other CIS goodies. If nothing else it'd be a way to get some FI cams.

I emaile the guy he already sold the fuel distributor and air box, he list euro bumpers for the sl on other auction. I would guess the injectors in there are there are shot, The fuel distributor he sold was silver and looked to be a 1980 or later model not gray like 1979 and below. You can do and advance search on his name and see what he has parted from car. You guys make me fell happy for my 300 dollar euro 280ce. Another 300 spent to get it running and tuning it up. remember M110 before april 1979 are only 177hp.

THe odometer was 48K see http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=42606&item=120188350580#ebayphotohosting

Don't know where he got 90 k from also the owner's manual is in english. he sold the fuel distributor after he said the fuel system was bad so he had to run fuel down airbox to run car. I don't think it's a euro becasue the headlights were not euro headlights.

It's a crap shot buyer beware.

heck, he had the whole car up for sale until Dec 3rd at 99$ and nobody bid. -CTH