new engine
 

where can i get a replacement engine and transmission for a Mercedes :confused: :confused: 1985 409d rv motorhome

Good question; not many of those units on this side of the pond. Do you know which engine it has? A 409 may have had the 5-cylinder OM617 series engine. If that's the case in your 409, then parts may be pretty easy to find since the 617 is pretty much the 'gold standard' Mercedes diesel over here.

You might PM Kerry Edwards, he's the resident expert on older MBZ vans.

409d rv
 

Leo,

It has a 5cyl engine
I'm thinking about replacing it with a 300D turbo engine

Thanks for you reply

I replied to your pm's but we need more info. Is the existing engine a turbo model? A (very) few of the vans came with turbo engines, if so, a bolt in replacement from a 300dt might work. If it didn't come with a turbo, a lot of body or manifold work will be necessary to fit the turbo in the space. There are differences between the van and car engines but the blocks themselves might be the same on the NA versions. The injection pump, intake manifold, valve covers, oil filter housings, water pumps, and ?? are different. Bellhousings are all the same as far as I know so any 617 should bolt up to your transmission.

However, depending on why and where the block cracked, a replacement may not be necessary. There have been a lot of block cracking problems on the Cummins 5.9 diesel and many people have simply had the blocks repaired using a 'stitching' procedure. I would at least give some consideration to this before replacing the entire engine.

409d
 

hi ihave a 1981 207d motorhome, i have a 1984 300sd motor almost installed in van,but hard to make turbo fit. what did you come up with? thanks, timb

Since MB made some of these vans with the 617 turbo, I'm betting they made/make? a manifold which puts the turbo in a different position. If you speak German, I'd try calling someone in Germany who could probably answer the question. There is at least one 309d van in the US with a turbo on it from the factory but I've never seen it in person or a picture of the location of the turbo. If you can find the guy who owns it on the internet, perhaps he could send you a picture.

Kerry

turbo 309d
 

hi, i have done extensive research on this and there never was a factory turbo until early 90s and they were om601 +om602. the turbo on earlier vans were SST kits out of sweden, trueblood trv offered them as an option but they were aftermarket kits installed as part of the conversion process. kind of like mercedes benz applies no chrome to any wheels at factory,it is done at dealership. best regards, timb

I'm pretty sure I've seen a couple of non-Trueblood conversions with turbos. (at least their owners said they had turbos). Perhaps other convertors also offered a turbo option. I know an outfit in the UK that routinely turbo'd these vans aftermarket. What sources can you recommend for info on this issue?

Looks like we are in the same boat.
Looking for a transmission bell housing.
My vehicle has 55 thousand miles.

The boat sailed 10 years ago :eek:

What engine and transmission need a bell housing?

Sixto
83 300SD

Why would you want the same engine? I would look at re-powering it with a turbo OM617 and you should be able to move with traffic at decent speeds...

Dkr.

An OM617 turbo is usually a junkyard pick, since rebuilt ones are listed at ~$8500. ebay sellers typically ask ~$900 + shipping for used and just guarantee they run. I would ask for compression test results (want >350 psig all). Best deal I saw was one rebuilt by an engineer in his garage for $3500 on ebay a few years ago. Looked purty. I wonder who bought it.

I love these ancient threads that return from the dead and everyone picks up like it was started yesterday...

I am curious how it worked out, though it looks like the OP is long gone.

-Rog

SIXTO,

My 1985 Mercedes Benz 409D needs a transmission bell housing.

Kevin

There should be lots of bellhousings available on the used market and in junkyards. Look around. There's one on ebay right now but it's attached to a transmission.