PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post

junqueyardjim · #8 04-23-2016, 08:29 PM

Yes, ultimate gear ratio is very important. I am using the standard RA Ratio from my 85 300D which is a 2.88. Did I luck out with that junhkyard engine! Well I guess. My Son in Law Steve called me to say his Buddy Ben had this diesel engine which he said was in good shape, (how does the junkyard guy know) anyway, they would pull it if I wanted it for $400.00, but it had to be picked up "today". Well, it was a hot day in August in 2011 I think, and I went down to look at it. It was an 80 or so SD, and it was a total mess. I don't know how long it was there, but I know it was there for more then 4 months. Well I jumped the battery on it, jumped those two screws on the fender and had the kid that was with me hold the engine fuel stop in the run position. It fired right up, with no glow plugs. It didn't run very long, but long enough that I could like the sound of it and we took the beast home. And by putting it in this beautiful 240D solved my very worrisome problem of having a very tight pilot bearing installed. However, after 4 or 5 years use, the pilot bearing didn't fail and my mechanic said it pulled out like as normal pilot bearing.
Well anyway, Don from Chicago wanted and was waiting for that engine. It had compression on 4 cylinders of about 410, only one, number one hole was at 385 psi. Why does it seem like number one cylinder on the Mercedes Diesel is lower then the rest.
Anyway, at my age and not feeling well, or at least my wife not feeling well, but I am too old and too tired to swap out any engines or transmissions. I just can't do it any more. Shop labor cost me $1400.00, but included swapping the oil filter, changing the motor mount arms, install new water pump, new vacuum pump, adjust valves and renew the turbo and more. Parts and machining of flywheel and all new clutch parts and few other parts mentioned cost me $500.00. He is not a diesel mechanic though he has serviced my car for years. I had taken the engine down to the point of pulling it out when I shipped it to him and that makes re-assembley much more difficult. But he did it all just perfect. He couldn't get the air cleaner to hook up at the "U" tube because I gave him the lower filter "box" from the SD and the length of the intake and outlet on that filter is turned around from the filter in my 300D. Wow, he was hot that he couldn't get the connection right. He did laugh though when I showed him why he couldn't make it fit. Anyway, that engine is about as fine a running engine as I have seen in a 300D. It pulls so well, I think it is amazing. I did check all the glo plugs, but it does start like one is not doing the job, but in 15 to 30 seconds all is well. I have just under a 1000 miles on it, it doesn't smoke, it doesn't leak and all around I think it is just great. It is very quick to 90 mph. And it is such an easy car for a big old guy like me to get into. I am 83, can't get my weight down or the scale is just stuck on 260. Anyway, that is a lot of beef to (maybe bull crap) to get in and out of the car. But in the 240D/300D it is very easy. I took the AC out or off from it because I just don't need it. Windows all work like new as does the sun roof. If you need air conditioning on a 300D W123, I think one should look at a total new unit. The old ones just don't do it. I drove to Lafayette, IN the other day and on the I65, a guy in a new Lexus with dealer plate really gave the car the once over. He couldn't stop looking at it. I thought that was pretty good.