I found a '87 300sdl that's been overheated. The seller also said it has no compression. Other than that, she is in good shape!

My question is simple: Assuming I perform all the labor, outside of machine shop work, what will it cost me to make this baby purr again? Ballpark?

An seriously overheated engine would likely cause a cracked head, but not usually a complete loss of compression. It may be that there is other damage as well.
Broken Camshaft? Broken Timimg Chain? Who knows.
Does the engine turn over at all?
If there is no compression it should spin on the Starter no problem unless there is major internal damage.

As for the cost to repair, how long is a piece of string

A complete new head job is probably about $2500, a complete rebuilt engine could be as much as $8k-10k.

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1991 M-B 560SEL Arctic White/Grey 99,000 Miles
1987 M-B 300SDL Ivory/Palomino 229,000 Miles (sold but never forgotten)
2006 Volvo XC70 Blue/Beige
1999 Porsche Boxster Arena Red/Savanna Beige
1986 Porsche 928S Goldweiss/Brown

Hmm...overheat=cracked head=coolant in cylinder=hydrolock=bad, bad things=new/used short block

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Keep everything as simple as possible-but no simpler--Albert Einstein

Well, since you are saying you will perform all the labor, and if the block, crank and rods are OK then the cost could run as low as around $1000 materials. That implies a used head but the chances of finding one that doesn't have cracks is very unlikely, as well as avoiding the infamous #14 head. This is based on a complete (loaded) head without having it skim cut for assurance that it is flat. These heads tend to warp and cause the head gasket to fail if not perfectly flat. You take some chances this way of course.
You may as well have a complete head job w/ new valve guides and seals and valve seats ground, that adds about $400 (plus shipping two ways?). If you wanted a new head it will set you back about $2K - last time I looked for one about 18 months ago that is what they cost I suspect the price is higher now. Adsit wants $1600 for a bare head reconditioned.
I am in process of rebuilding a 603 engine and may have a possibility of discount on a multiple parts order. PM me.

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

Okay, I buy a new head with everything attached (valves, cam, etc) That cost me around $2k. Now, what about the block? New rings & pistons?

I basically want to go into this deal with a worse case scenario outlook.

I guess the next question is: Is it worth it?

Roughly, it's not worth more than a similar model in good running shape MINUS the cost of a good used complete running engine MINUS what a competent local shop would charge to do the swap MINUS some amount for the overall hassle and understanding that it can't be road tested for critical things like brakes, steering, suspension, transmission, even A/C operation.

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'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue"

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

listen, look, .........and duck.

$7000. (less if the mileage is above 150K) - $2200. (includes shipping) - $1200. - $ 1500. = $2100.

Well some sellers are fools as in my case... I'd really look it over well, you may have a smokin' deal or a total turd there. Heck, even the A/C blows cool in mine still (it's a tad low only)... I installed a new HVAC unit, relay, and fuse.

I'm waiting on tie rods still, better be here on Friday! I'm ready to drive mine.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

exactly what does no compression mean? low? or none. none is hard to imagine. that would be wo injectors or some other major component. does it run? can it be driven? given all the above questions, you cant really say wo tearing it apart and looking at the damage. could easily be confined to the head.

if the bottom end is good... and in my experience they usually are. you might get by with a head job (always fun). good chance you will need a head or to have it repaired. i just spent about $2500 for a head gasket and valve job on my 350sdl with 140,000 mies. i had a good head, so if it is cracked you may spend another 500 to 1000. if the bottom end is bad, then a lot more.

finding a good used motor may be a good alternative at that point.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I see you're in Santa Cruz.
Call Silver Star in Rancho Cordova (near Sacramento), 1-800-783-4911, ask for Mike. They only deal in Mercedes.
I was going to by a 86 SDL a couple of years ago that threw a rod, but they wanted to much for the car, so let it go. Anyway Silver Star wanted about $2500 Exchange (rod threw block or not) with a warrenty back then. I forget what the core charge was, but it might be worth the charge for spare parts.
I bought an engine from them for my 85 300D (617) about 5 yrs. ago. The 85 had #2 rod through the block when I bought the car. But was in excellent shape and worthwhile to get an engine for.
Oh, and a small pickup will get the engine home.
Let us know what you decide.

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1985 300D California w/cat. (257,000 + Miles)
1980 300SD (208,000 + Miles)

I think a new (not rebuilt) 22 head is about $1,800 bare. With new valves, cam, lifters ect I would expect the total to be at or above $3k.

Just to give you an idea of a few of you options:
Used engine $1k-$2k
Rebuilt engine $6k-$8k (New head, rebuilt IP, ect. A proper rebuild not a cheap ring job.) Metric Motors seems to be a recommended rebuilder.
Crate motor from your local MB dealer $12k-$13k.

Actually by MB standards these are cheap motors to rebuild. An M119 V8 would cost you close to $20k and I bet a V12 would over $30k.

Pistons alone for a 603 are like $1,800.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200