I'm looking at buying a 79 240d with a 4 speed manual tranny tomorrow and was wondering if anyone could provide any feedback on this model. I own a 300TD wagon and love it. I'm considering pulling the engine out of the 240 and putting it in my Nissan pickup truck. The engine runs great and is very clean. The body has some rust but otherwise looks nice. Mechanically it feels and looks good. It's a bit overprioces I feel at $2300.

All feedback is appreciated.

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Resurrected Nov 2010 - 79 240(SD) with 83 617 engine and 4 speed manual, 2.88 rear and 2.5" straight pipe unknown mileage (Salmon)
83 240D parting out
96 Dodge Cummins 5 sp 4X4 long bed - 310k

http://flickr.com/photos/11103112@N03/

i would check for modest blow by and a nice even idle. working ac would be nice. a few months ago a rusty but sound 240 would have been a 1200 dollar car. today i dont know. how many miles?

tom w

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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.

Check the jack points for rust although it's kinda strange having that out in desert J-Tree land. Does the dash look like a dry riverbed? Do all of the vaccum locks work? Check for the typical leaks, oil pan, valve cover, PS pump. Lift up the floormats for rust. Are all the suspension pieces in decent shape? Tires/shocks in good condition. Does the AC work? Any idea if it is a York or an R4? The York is easy to identify by seing a massive chunk of metal on the left side of the motor (looking front to back) with two big hoses coming out of the top. 1979 is a split year for that AC unit.

If you get the car I might be interested in some of the parts. How is the driver seat? My 79 is in nice shape but the springs are a little low so perhaps it might be a good replacment?

If you get it and you're in the LA area shoot me a PM. I am looking for other 240D's to drag race! J/K

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1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

The car is in Maryland. I'm here for a month and thought i'd buy something to drive while i'm here, and since i'm interested in the 24d engine and 4 speed tranny, what the hell I'll buy it and drive it back to Cali.
I'm uncertain of the mileage since the odometer isn't working, however, the car is clean as far as oil leaks go, it looks nice on the underside, the rubber bushing and such look very good. The air conditioning doesn't work, but the car runs strong, purrs like a kitten at idle and shifts well. The clutch pedal feels a little high which could mean it needs adjusting or may need a clutch soon.
diametricalbenz: I'l let you know what I decide once i'm back in J Tree. If I pull the engine for the truck i'll be parting it out or selling the body outright.

Thanks for the feedback

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Resurrected Nov 2010 - 79 240(SD) with 83 617 engine and 4 speed manual, 2.88 rear and 2.5" straight pipe unknown mileage (Salmon)
83 240D parting out
96 Dodge Cummins 5 sp 4X4 long bed - 310k

http://flickr.com/photos/11103112@N03/

300TD,

WHy don't you look for a MB engine instead of destroying a good MB?

P E H

I've contemplated such a swap (manual 240D in small truck)but have not researched it yet. I think it would be a challenging swap job if even doable...but I think you should try it and let us "watch". You live in CA... would you be able to drive the vehicle on public streets with the emissions checking hassles you guys have out there ?

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Diesel-guy

+1 to that!!!!

4 Speed 240's are getting so hard to find, why would you destroy yet another one?

This is what junkyards are for buddy!

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Nick
*****
2002 Sprinter 2500 140" High Roof :

Okay, so I bought the 240d, paid too much for it i'm sure, but I love it, at least so far. The reason I was thinking of buying it and pulling the engine is because I thought it may be a rust bucket. I still haven't took a really good look at the body. Long story short, I bought it without taking a hard look and drove it home in the dark, so I still haven't checked it out really well. I'm almost certain I can make the engine fit in my Nissan truck if I choose to do it. I know of people putting the five cylinder in toyota's.
The other part of the equation is this. I'm on the east coast and wated to buy a car to drive while i'm here, so why not buy something I like and can use. If the car is in good shape and I can repair the rust relatively easily I won't have the heart to tear it apart. Beleive me, I love these cars and wouldn't tear one apart that had potential.
Having said all that, if anyone knows of a good 4 banger with a 4 speed manual tranny for sale, let me know.
Of course, if I decide not to tear this one up for my truck I'll either have to sell it when I get back to Cali, or sell my 300TD. No easy way out. It's like loving multiple women.
There is no emissions check for diesel vehicles in Cali.

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Resurrected Nov 2010 - 79 240(SD) with 83 617 engine and 4 speed manual, 2.88 rear and 2.5" straight pipe unknown mileage (Salmon)
83 240D parting out
96 Dodge Cummins 5 sp 4X4 long bed - 310k

http://flickr.com/photos/11103112@N03/

I know about the no emissions thing for diesels...but how will they feel about it when you tell them you swapped a diesel into a former gas powered vehicle? I think you should be allowed to do it, but I'm just curious how the "enviro-nazi's" out there will feel about it.

By the way...I love these cars too...but if it's very rusty, It's probably more work than it's worth to repair, thus making it a great candidate as an engine doner. But whatever the case, it is YOUR car...do as you like with it and enjoy.

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Diesel-guy

some of the nissans come with diesels? that might be an easier swap. course finding a good one might be a problem. i think they had head issues.

tom w

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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 looked into the Nissan diesel and i've heard good things about the engine, however, I really like the MB engine and would just dig having a MB powered nissan, besides, I need a good project to help keep me sane.
So, as far as the Cali emissions stuff goes, I think I'll just register it as a diesel, and hope they go for it, (it's presently registered in Washington state).

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Resurrected Nov 2010 - 79 240(SD) with 83 617 engine and 4 speed manual, 2.88 rear and 2.5" straight pipe unknown mileage (Salmon)
83 240D parting out
96 Dodge Cummins 5 sp 4X4 long bed - 310k

http://flickr.com/photos/11103112@N03/

guy who had a 220 or 240 engine in a falcon ranchero.

hard core.

fun though

tom w

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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.

Too bad MB didn't make more small diesel pick-up's and ship them to the U.S. years ago.

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Diesel-guy