Is a ponton in my future?

[daw_two]

Greeting Vintage Mercedes forum members.

My life has been going thru a cloudy Mercedes tail spin for the past week. I ran across a fintail and my wife said, "That would be a pretty cool car to ride around town in on the weekends if it were fixed up nicely." Yesterday, I visited the rust bucket and the car has too much structural rust to be saved. The engine, transmission, and rearend are resting on the asphalt. The car has been sitting outside in the elements for at least 15 years.

Last night upon returning from my road trip to see the rust bucket mentioned above, I discover a 220s ponton for sale. The ponton (see attached pics) is missing the engine and transmission.

So, gracious Vintage forum members, the future of this ponton rests in yours (and my) hands. I have a couple of

Key Questions:

1. Will a 617 diesel engine and transmission fit into a ponton 220s?
2. Would the engine and transmission from a fintail 300se be a better fit into a ponton 220s?

The pics of the ponton 220s are below.

[TheDon]

a 617 turbo will not fit without relocating the oil filter housing and being creative with exhaust routing

[Palangi]

A ponton engine compartment is not very big. I don't think you could shoehorn a 617 in there.

[thebenzbar]

A Cosworth 2.3 or 2.5 16V w/ a 5-spd m/t will fit in comfortably... easy 0-60mph in 7 secs or less.

[daw_two]

Would the engine and transmission out of the 300SE (fintail) fit in the ponton?

[Ed Richardson]

You should get on the Ponton site. A world of expertise there.
Ed

[Benzcrusher]

The 300se M189 motor uses silly expensive parts.... Ditch it...

[daw_two]

Originally Posted by Ed Richardson

You should get on the Ponton site. A world of expertise there.
Ed

I'm on the ponton site.

[daw_two]

Maybe I should start a different thread about the fintail.

I still have my fingers crossed on the fintail. If I get it, it's going to be a parts car. But PLEASE, everyone, do NOT send me PMs about parts.

[daw_two]

Folks.

I might be pulling the trigger on this one. I recently found a 1958 Mercedes 4 cylinder diesel engine and transmission that could breathe some "life" into this shell of a car. Naturally, Jeffrey is telling me to jump on it.......however, I'm looking at the list of my current projects:

• non running 1979 300SD
• 2000 Dodge Dakota that needs an engine
• 3/4 of my backyard is mud --- we filled in the very old swimming pool 2 weeks ago.
• My current garage is a wreck
• I just bought a 1958 (??) Mercedes 4 cylinder diesel engine and 4 speed transmission.

Anyone want to jump in here and nag me a little about buying this ponton? Jeffrey --- I already know where you stand, so no need to comment. By the way, those were some very strong comments today.

[strelnik]

Originally Posted by daw_two

Folks.

I might be pulling the trigger on this one. I recently found a 1958 Mercedes 4 cylinder diesel engine and transmission that could breathe some "life" into this shell of a car. Naturally, Jeffrey is telling me to jump on it.......however, I'm looking at the list of my current projects:

• non running 1979 300SD
• 2000 Dodge Dakota that needs an engine
• 3/4 of my backyard is mud --- we filled in the very old swimming pool 2 weeks ago.
• My current garage is a wreck

Anyone want to jump in here and nag me a little about buying this ponton? Jeffrey --- I already know where you stand, so no need to comment. By the way, those were some very strong comments today.

Are you talking about putting a 4 cylinder MB into the 6 cyl MB shell? You'll have lots of room to work, but you will be slower, because the W180, aka 220 is heavier and about 7" longer than the other pontons.

0-60 in 45.6 seconds? Not quite that slow but the 220 cars were known as quick and among the first on the autobahn to challenge the littl 4 cyl Porsches in the late 50s. You're going in there with 2 cylinders less.

Can';t find a 4 cyl body? What about that one you talked to me about?
You could use a 190D or 200D engine-- OM621 OH cam, but you might have to tweak it a little.

[daw_two]

Originally Posted by strelnik

Are you talking about putting a 4 cylinder MB into the 6 cyl MB shell? You'll have lots of room to work, but you will be slower, because the W180, aka 220 is heavier and about 7" longer than the other pontons.

0-60 in 45.6 seconds? Not quite that slow but the 220 cars were known as quick and among the first on the autobahn to challenge the littl 4 cyl Porsches in the late 50s. You're going in there with 2 cylinders less.

Can';t find a 4 cyl body? What about that one you talked to me about?
You could use a 190D or 200D engine-- OM621 OH cam, but you might have to tweak it a little.

Maybe I should add the 1958 Mercedes diesel engine and 4 speed transmission to my list of projects. It may or may not (probably not) be a candidate to put into this 220S due to weight issues. However, while I waiting for the correct engine to appear, perhaps, this 220S might be a good place for the 180d or 190d engine........

Let me make this simple ---- I'll modify my list of projects.

[JeffreyNMemphis]

Originally Posted by strelnik

Are you talking about putting a 4 cylinder MB into the 6 cyl MB shell? You'll have lots of room to work, but you will be slower, because the W180, aka 220 is heavier and about 7" longer than the other pontons.

0-60 in 45.6 seconds? Not quite that slow but the 220 cars were known as quick and among the first on the autobahn to challenge the littl 4 cyl Porsches in the late 50s. You're going in there with 2 cylinders less.

Can';t find a 4 cyl body? What about that one you talked to me about?
You could use a 190D or 200D engine-- OM621 OH cam, but you might have to tweak it a little.

Strelnik makes a very good point... The diesel engine would push a smaller car much better. And as he suggests, a 180 or 190 body would be good for the engine you have.

My strong comments should probably start a new thread regarding which cars to dump money into. In fact, I wll start a new thread...

[wbain5280]

The 300SE Fintail has air suspension parts and can be sold for a profit. There are many owners that need spares.

Please check www.m-100.cc. I can post a question for you.

I may need some parts from the car, some trim bits and a few interior parts as well.

[daw_two]

Originally Posted by wbain5280

The 300SE Fintail has air suspension parts and can be sold for a profit. There are many owners that need spares.

Please check www.m-100.cc. I can post a question for you.

I may need some parts from the car, some trim bits and a few interior parts as well.

I passed on the 300SE Fintail --- too much of a challenge.