I appreciate your advice and comments. I wasn't actually seriously contemplating doing the swap, I was just suggesting an idea I had that maybe someone had already done. It seems to me that you old mercedes afficianados are turning out to be purists. Now that is not a bad thing at all. I am used to the datsun boards where people have basically tried everything with their cars. People put v8 in the things, they swap out non-turbos for turbos, some even custom make ignition and fuel control units. And this is all on 20-30 year old cars!! I thought people may be doing similar things to old mercedes' as many of them seem to be very underpowered or low geared (like the diesels!) and could use some mods. As far as keeping a 1970's mercedes original, I say that is ok, but most of them are not worth that much. Maybe they will be in the future, but I kind of doubt it. Seems to me alot of mbz's were made in the 70's and alot of them are still kicking today. I doubt my parent's 220d is even worth 2000 bucks. But who cares they are never gonna sell it as they've had it since 72! Anyhow thanks for the responses