motor conversion, fintail - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Doctor Dirt · #1 01-03-2012, 08:09 PM

Looking for engine that would drop in and mount up to an automatic tranny in a 1966 Mercedes 230S. The motor is loud, very tired, compression tests show up different numbers everytime hahahaha! Blow by is a strong stream (have deverted it) not sure I want to resleeve this engine and theres no pistons availble from what I've researched and the last price from Mercedes was over 300.00 each and one on the shelf in Benz Land. (ridiculous)
So what other Benz engines could slide in, I believe the 220S along with a 280 could work. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Doc.

Doctor Dirt · #2 01-05-2012, 08:35 AM

BUMP UP! thanx Doc.

Stretch · #3 01-05-2012, 08:44 AM

Where's Mercmad6.3 when you need him?

From what I understand he does this sort of thing all the time.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/members/mercmad6-3.html

wbain5280 · #4 01-05-2012, 08:59 AM

Any of the similar engines of that era would work, 220S, 250S, 280S, 230/8, 250/8 even an M110 2.8 would bolt up. You will still have the problem of older engines that need work. You could swap in a recent 5 cyl turbo diesel from a 300D or w126 300SD.

I'm going to swap in an M110, which I have, into my 220S which now has a 220SE engine in it. Unless you have a donor car don't do the 220SE, 250SE or 280SE swap because of all the parts needed. Such as all the electric fuel pump and it's bits, the different sized fuel lines, the rubber isolators, the relays needed for starting the engine. (I'm currently having a problem with fuel consumption which could be the cold start valve leaking or a screwed up injection pump).

mercmad6.3 · #5 01-05-2012, 04:06 PM

i am doing one right now, a 280S from a W108 into a W111 . It's a bolt straight in deal except for the flex disc and front half of the drive shaft. The W108 uses a bigger disc so the floor needs to be opened up slightly to clear the bigger disc . It's an opportunity to utilize the more modern shifter (you can fit a chrome 1960s lid to these) by making a box and welding it to the floor.
The spider from the later cars drive shaft must be welded to the W111 shaft.
The speedo cable needs the later type fitting adapted to the older cable so it fits the trans. Any speedo or drive cable place can do this. (search "instrument fitters and repairs" ,usually aircraft places too) and thats it in a nutshell.
You can get 230 engines from W114's too (230 6 ) or 250's .
you can even drop in a M110 twin cam engine from a W123 or W126 .
it is easier if you can find a donor car with an engine you can run hot and make sure it is OK before you hand over cash.

I've done V8's too. Also a bolt in deal.

jackson101 · #6 01-06-2012, 10:23 AM

If your thinking of buying used replacement engine,...your just as likely to end up with two engines that need rebuilding,...as you are with one, good, low milage engine.
Spend 123.00, get the ring set from Hastings. Spend 30.00 more, get the valve seal kit. Spend another 4-6 dollars per valve and get the guides. Tear down, inspect all bearing surfaces, polish cam and crank.
Reassemble,....now you know what you have.

Just an option!

t walgamuth · #7 01-08-2012, 07:13 AM

I have rebuilt about a half dozen of these older benz motors and have often been able to resleeve rather reasonably and reuse the pistons. They have to be measured at the ring lands for wear.

I also have a freshened low miles m110 motor that I just pulled from my rusty 84 280e that is for sale complete with the euro exhaust, fuel pump, four speed stick tranny, shifter and so forth. Your fintail would scream with a 185 hp euro motor.

Doctor Dirt · #8 01-10-2012, 07:10 PM

First off thank you for replies, I had some health problems that needed attention so forgive for not getting back here sooner.
Jackson101; thats what a friend whose a retired wrench is suggesting also, thank you.
Mercmad6 I don't have anyone here that I trust to take on such a project, I'm gun shy about having a motor shipped in and worry about its reliability since I don't know of any companies that do that sort of business. If something is wrong then I'm shipping a few hundred pounds all over the east coast. To testing for me at my age and health situation. As jackson101 stated I could be bringing in another tired motor.
t walgamuth; I'm discussing the resleeve but as you say if the pistons aren't good I'm stuck and by the noise of this motor my guess is the pistons are slapping around in there pretty good.
We did back off the adjustments and got some lbs. up (compression) except the #2 cyl. keeps falling down to 40lbs.
I think the rings suggestion is the best option for me and this motor, I have to find a shop thats trust worthy enough to do any work. This area doesn't have responsible shops, I'll search up in Sarasota County.
Thank you guys so much for your suggestions, I finally got burned on ebay buying unseen but thats the risk you take. The seller said everything right hes a lucky guy that the money was low and that I'm crippled up pretty good from a SUV vs Harley accident! My Harley FXR took its shot pretty well, I didn't or I'd get on a plane and introduce myself to the "gentlmen"!
Thanks again you fellows offer good alternatives. Doc

mercmad6.3 · #9 01-10-2012, 07:50 PM

These engines are tough and it takes a lot miles to wear one out. If you do decide to rebuild yours,get the bore and crank measured properly. I often find that the cranks maybe worn half a thou and thats it. I don't regrind them if I can help it. The surface is hardened at the factory but because of the alloy the Germans used,the skin gets harder with age ( these are Mercedes after all ) and the crank grinder gets upset with me because this skin can cause the crank to warp when the grinding process starts on them.
You can get away with up to 1.5 thou wear in the middle of the bore but if you can still see the cross hatch, dont rebore the block,deglaze it and fit new rings. In most cases the ring lands are pretty good on the pistons. The single most important and expensive thing you MUST buy is a new oil pump .Dont try and reuse a used one. They are alloy cased and do fail on rebuilt engines .I know of one here which was rebuilt 15 years ago and just spat a rod through the block after the case failed on the pump,it seized and the driver kept going,hoping to reach home.
Sleeving to me is a luxury ,it's costs more to me than a car is worth in a lot of cases and used blocks are everywhere. I do have a set of used O/S pistons which came from a SE engine. if you get stuck send me a PM and we can work out postage to you.