looking at a 1976 300D that needs a motor-but the rest of the car is awsome. i have a 1977 300D that the motor runs great but the rest of the car is shot. will i be able to exchange motors? seems like that is the changing year.

I do not have the book for those two.
Are they the same chassis ? W123 ?

Seems like if you had both cars to pull parts from, and both had same chassis
it would be a go.

If the trans is different that would be my only concern.

I did a 1981 motor into 1980 . Same chassis, but 1980 was a transition year
with a goofy mix of later and earlier parts.
But it all worked out in the end.

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80 300D 340K Owned 30 yrs
83 300SD 440K Owned 9 yrs - Daily Driver 150mi/day
02 Z71 Suburban 117,000
15 Toyota Prius 2600 miles
00 Harley Sportster 24k
09 Yamaha R6
03 Ninja 250

my 76 300D is a 115 chassis, I think a 77 is the first year of 123's

Dont suppose you'd sell parts off that car, huh?

~Nate (the vulture)

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95 Honda Shadow ACE 1100.
1999 Plymouth Neon Expresso. 2.4 swap, 10.5 to 1 comp, big cams. Autocross time attack vehicle!
2012 Escape, 'hunter" (5 sp 4cyl)

Since you have both cars I would think it would go off without a hitch.

Somewhere on site this was discussed earlier I believe . Thought oil filter might have been different or something. Should be in the archives. My feeling was that it was possible but not positive. Someone on our site has probably done this swap. Wait to see if they post.

I was wondering about that. I coulda bought a rebuilt 616 out of a "76" (W115) .I mentioned the oil filter housing (down under type) and the seller said he switched to the newer housing (123 style). So maybe the blocks are the same. I would think this would apply to the 617s

I know they DECREASED the cubes of the 616 some time after 80?? in order to meet some DOT reg. That seems counter productave

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

I did not know of the cubic inch change but the newer the 616 the better I believe. There was a horsepower jump along the way as well I think. I do suspect that it is basically an easy change you are contemplating. Just not positive. The transmission bolt up has been the same since very early 70s I think as well. I own two 616 cars and find them delightful. Just keep them well tuned as little power to spare. I personally would not put an automatic behind one. If a five speed transmission ever comes along grab it. I will be launching a serious effort to get one for myself coming year I hope.

any more input on this from the gurus? primarily on the 616/NA 617 switch..

only other thread could find was this..
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=147227&highlight=swap

I am almost positive that the W123 617 will not fit into a W115. The oil filter housing will interfere with the steering box. It is possible you could replace the stock filter housing with a remote unit.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

I am pretty sure it won't fit for bgkast's reasons. The W115 engine bay is narrower than the W123.

If it does fit then a 617.952 would fit and I would be all over it with the manual trans in the 240D.....I am still trying to do a 617.910 conversion from the 76' 300D which is rusty.

I'll take offers on the whole car... it has a nice engine.

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