I have a 1969, 280s, automatic. Last year I rebuilt the cylinder head due to a bad head gasket and a coolant leak. I was hoping that the head job would solve part of my oil consumption. However, things are not any better. I can see blue smoke when accelerating and need to add 1 quarter of oil every 200 miles. Spark plugs have to be replaced frequently, beacause they get soaked in oil. A friend suggested that I consider swaping the tired M130 with a M110 (non-FI) which I may be able to find in decent conditions. Is it possible? What parts do I need to replace? I believe that W108's never came with the M110 which was introduced with the W114 and the W116.
Your comments are appreciated.

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280S, 1969
250C, 1972

In other words, it's the twincam 6 cyl engine replacing the earlier single cam version? Understand this is sheer speculation on my part since I've never made such an engine swap myself:

But knowing MB, the short-blocks are identical so your original bell housing and engine mount arms should bolt onto it. Neverthless it's the tranny coupling that will be critical.

And if both engines are equiped with Zenith carburetors, then acclerator linkage should be no problem.

Differences besides the camshafts and their carrier include an electronic laser optic beam ignition and flow through cylinder head that probably uses a different exhaust manifold and headers from your M130. Does your 108 have dual exhaust or single pipe system?

By the way, about the only time cylinder head work makes an engine worst is when the machine shop shaves the cylinder head, removing too much metal beyond specifications and raises compression through the roof beyond tolerances of the short-block that's got how many miles?

Rule on something like the engine swap you are exploring is generally "can do" with the donor car and recipient vehicle side-by-side. I am thinking conversion from single pipe to dual exhaust would be the most costly extra item.

Dont know for sure because I've never been there - but when I think of Venezuela and South America, perfect condition rust-free Vintage Mercedes Benz comes into my mind. We took a poll on this forum a couple of years ago and discovered the 108 was the most driven timeless classic of the fleet with many people using them every day and saying they didnt want to drive anything else, that newer cars especially seemed feeble and weak in comparison.

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'80 300SD/ w116
'79 240D 4-spd
'71 750cc Guzzi

previously owned:

'83 240D 4-spd
'77 280SEL 4-spd
'74 280/8
'72 250/8
'65 220Sb 4-spd
'63 220Sb 4-spd
'63 190c 4-spd
'61 220Sb 4-spd
'60 190b 4-spd

Yes, I want to replace the single cam M130 with the twin cam M110. The transmission I currently have is not the original that came with the car (parking in such tranny is where 1st gear is normally located). I now have a more modern rebuilt MB transmission that probably came from a W116 or W114 280. It works fine with the M130 and gave the car some additional punch (it has a torque converter).
I am not sure if the M110 uses Zenith carbs. I know for sure that the carburator is located on the left side of the engine instead of the right side as with the M130. My 280s has a dual exhaust pipe. I don't think that it would be that difficult to make it work. Actually, some W114s came with the M130 and some others with the M110.
With respect to the head job, it just fixed the coolant leak but the oil consumption remained the same. No increase but also no improvement. Some shaving was done to the cylinder head, but nothing really substantial.
I think that it would make more sense to have a more powerfull engine such as the M110 instead of going through the rebuilding process of a M130. It's quite easy to find used engines (and particularly M110) in Venezuela, in decent conditions.
I use my 280s as a daily driver. It's really an amazing car which I expect to keep for a long time.

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280S, 1969
250C, 1972

The M110 is a completely different animal, and the M130 trans will not work - your should try to find a complete engine-trans combination.

The M110 uses a single four-barrel Solex 4A1 carb. They have major problems as they get old. The carb is on the driver's side, so the linkage will be completly different. You will also need the transistor ignition unit. You will have to fabricate engine pipes for the exhaust.

I think you would be better off fixing your M130 or finding a used one.

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

Davide down in Australia did the same swap a couple of years back. The M110 block is quite similar to the M130. -CTH

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- cth350@gmail.com
http://www.111lakeside.com/

Well, I already have the transmission since the current one I have is the 4 speed auto with torque converter. I understand that this transmission came from either a W114 or a W116. I have seen other W108s here in which M110s have been adapted. They work fine.
Where I am, it's probably easier to find a good used M110 than a M130. Since I don't really care about keeping the car 100% stock (the value of a W108 280s is not really relevant from a collector's point of view ), I think the extra power provided by the M110 would be nice. I'll have to check the costs involved in the swap.

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280S, 1969
250C, 1972

Throttle linkage will be different, although not insurmountable, driveshaft may need to be modifed if the trannies are significantly different in length, and you will have to modify the air intake, most likely.

Otherwise, it will drop right in on the engine mounts and fit correctly. Note that it is NOT going to be sitting in the middle of the engine compartment. Front of engine is offset to the right, as the diff is offset to the left and the driveline sits at an angle! Just in case you got surprised and thought you needed to change something.

Shouldn't be a horrible swap.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!