Possible engine swaps for my 1971 280SE

[mercmad6.3]

No need to alter the engine or trans mounts (just replace the rubber components) but you need to swap the alloy supports arms that are bolted to each side of the block. The engine in the W116 will have shorter arms that wont reach the engine mounts.
Yes a 1977 280SE is a W116.

[suginami]

Originally Posted by mercmad6.3

No need to alter the engine or trans mounts (just replace the rubber components) but you need to swap the alloy supports arms that are bolted to each side of the block. The engine in the W116 will have shorter arms that wont reach the engine mounts.
Yes a 1977 280SE is a W116.

I've been reading this thread (and others) where you have shared info on engine swaps and what fits / doesn't fit, and frankly I am in awe of your knowledge.

How did you learn all this information? Have you obtained all this knowledge through experience and carrying out various engine swaps over the years?

[mercmad6.3]

A bit of everything. I served my apprenticeship in the 1970's and have owned or worked on a huge variety of cars ever since,but Mercedes has always been a favorite.

[Shadesh]

Originally Posted by suginami

I've been reading this thread (others) where you have shared info on engine swaps and what fits / doesn't fit, and frankly I am in awe of your knowledge.

How did you learn all this information? Have you obtained all this knowledge through experience and carrying out various engine swaps over the years?

I second your comment. You have such a wealth of knowledge and we appreciate your sharing it. Thanks.

[Shadesh]

Originally Posted by mercmad6.3

No need to alter the engine or trans mounts (just replace the rubber components) but you need to swap the alloy supports arms that are bolted to each side of the block. The engine in the W116 will have shorter arms that wont reach the engine mounts.
Yes a 1977 280SE is a W116.

There is a very good chance I will be purchasing a W116 tomorrow but before I do, I have a few final questions. The W116 is a 1977 280SE as I mentioned. It is complete and turns over but seems that the fuel pump is not working.

What are some basic things I should look for in the W116 before I buy. I certainly dont want another car that will not work.

As far as swapping engine/tranny from the W116 to W108, my questions are:

1. Will I have to change the driveshaft?
2. Can I use the fuel pump from my W108
3. Are there any electrical mods I will need? Coil, Ignition, etc
4. Will my A/C system from the W108 bolt onto the W116 engine
5. Can I use my transmission from the W108 to mount to the W116 engine
6. Radiator, can I use mine from the W108

Thanks again.

[Shadesh]

Anyone? Please.

[bwostosh]

Shadesh,
Any swap can be done.
My experience is keep it original, unless you have lots of time, patience, perseverance, and get the donor car free.
How much will the donor be, how good is the motor, trans. can you drive the donor?

I have a good head, how good is your original block?
What is the budget?
It's real easy to get in deep, and still not be happy with the results.

[Shadesh]

Originally Posted by bwostosh

Shadesh,
Any swap can be done.
My experience is keep it original, unless you have lots of time, patience, perseverance, and get the donor car free.
How much will the donor be, how good is the motor, trans. can you drive the donor?

I have a good head, how good is your original block?
What is the budget?
It's real easy to get in deep, and still not be happy with the results.

I drove to camarillo yesterday to look at the 1977 280SE and it turned out to be in pretty bad shape. It turned over and stayed on if I put some fuel in the intake.. not sure if fuel pump faulty or something else. Some wires were not in place and I noticed leaks around tranny, ps pump and oil pan area. I decided not to pick it up.

I agree with you with trying to keep it original as it will save me a lot of headache.

I received a quote to fix my head (inspection, pressure testing, welding and remachining, new valve seals) for $450. If I am not able to find a clean replacement head soon, I will just have to have mine redone.

I have received quotes from junk yards for used heads for $200 but they turned out to be the one I didn't need. As a matter of fact, I have a 250 head sitting in my garage because the junk yard shipped me the wrong head...anyone want one?? (:

I am planning on pulling the block out and see if I need to replace the rings and put new bearings in, new seals and so forth. There was an ample amount of corrosion on the head and I am afraid the block may have some too in the coolant passages.

Its frustrating but I want to keep this car so I will be open to options. If I can find a running donor car, I may get it and just transplant onto mine.

in the meantime.. keep searching.

I am not sure what you are asking for yours but I have a very low budget. Feel free to send me your asking price? Maybe I can work with it??

[mercmad6.3]

$450 is OK for a head rebuild as often Welding will be required. i mentioned before that SE heads are very hard to find today . You will be lucky to find one.

[Shadesh]

Originally Posted by mercmad6.3

$450 is OK for a head rebuild as often Welding will be required. i mentioned before that SE heads are very hard to find today . You will be lucky to find one.

Thanks -

[Shadesh]

Mermad6.3, would you mind responding to my earlier question if you have some time to spare. I did go check out the donor car but I had to walk away as I still had some open questions. Please see my earlier post below.

There is a very good chance I will be purchasing a W116 tomorrow but before I do, I have a few final questions. The W116 is a 1977 280SE as I mentioned. It is complete and turns over but seems that the fuel pump is not working.

What are some basic things I should look for in the W116 before I buy. I certainly dont want another car that will not work.

As far as swapping engine/tranny from the W116 to W108, my questions are:

1. Will I have to change the driveshaft?
2. Can I use the fuel pump from my W108
3. Are there any electrical mods I will need? Coil, Ignition, etc
4. Will my A/C system from the W108 bolt onto the W116 engine
5. Can I use my transmission from the W108 to mount to the W116 engine
6. Radiator, can I use mine from the W108

Thanks again.

[mercmad6.3]

If you can't get the car to run,don't touch it. Nowdays i look for W126 280SE's to get donor parts. They are cheap and newer. i have had a couple given to me free which were in good running condition.
your drive shaft should be ok to use with out altering it.

The W108 pump won't work with the later injection systems. Use the pump from the donor car.
Depending on which ignition you have,the best idea is to use the later type of pointless ignition .The complete Coil,resistors(some have two) and ignition switch box from the donor car.
The main feed from the key to the ignition is a black lead ,use this to connect to the ignition from the donor car.
i am not sure what your car has for a compressor but the mounts here on the m130 and M127 engine will bolt to a M110 engine. if you get a late model W126 with the m110 engine it will come with air (a W126 is not a nice car to drive without air con.. )
I wouldn't bother with trying to use the older trans, use a new fourspeed trans .Everything interchanges .

Yes you can use the same radiator.

[Shadesh]

Originally Posted by mercmad6.3

If you can't get the car to run,don't touch it. Nowdays i look for W126 280SE's to get donor parts. They are cheap and newer. i have had a couple given to me free which were in good running condition.
your drive shaft should be ok to use with out altering it.

The W108 pump won't work with the later injection systems. Use the pump from the donor car.
Depending on which ignition you have,the best idea is to use the later type of pointless ignition .The complete Coil,resistors(some have two) and ignition switch box from the donor car.
The main feed from the key to the ignition is a black lead ,use this to connect to the ignition from the donor car.
i am not sure what your car has for a compressor but the mounts here on the m130 and M127 engine will bolt to a M110 engine. if you get a late model W126 with the m110 engine it will come with air (a W126 is not a nice car to drive without air con.. )
I wouldn't bother with trying to use the older trans, use a new fourspeed trans .Everything interchanges .

Yes you can use the same radiator.

Thanks for your input. Its really appreciate. This gives me a better idea of what I can look for now. Thanks again.

[suginami]

Originally Posted by mercmad6.3

Nowdays i look for W126 280SE's to get donor parts. They are cheap and newer. i have had a couple given to me free which were in good running condition..... if you get a late model W126 with the m110 engine it will come with air (a W126 is not a nice car to drive without air con.. )
I wouldn't bother with trying to use the older trans, use a new fourspeed trans .Everything interchanges .

Yes you can use the same radiator.

I'm pretty sure we did not get a W126 280SE in the U.S.

The 6-cylinder (gasoline) W126 cars that were sold in the U.S. was from 1988-1991 in the 300SE/L (M103.981).

The models that came with the M110 engine in the U.S., I believe are:

W114chassis - 280 and 280C (M110.921): 1973-1976

W116 chassis -280S 1975-1976(M110.922), 280SE 1977-1980 (M110.985)

W123 chassis - 280E and 280CE (M110.984): 1977-1981

[mercmad6.3]

An M103 would be nice but the head gasket is a worry on those. In this case look for a 280 E W123 . The Carbed engines are too much hassle unless you swap the Solex 4A1 carb for a Weber conversion ($$$) or an EFI conversion .
There are at least two owners on the IPOG ( yahoo ponton owners group) who have m110 engines in their pontons . One is an auto trans and the other uses the original four speed trans.