This past summer a friend and I went to a location to check out some parts that were presumed to be W123. Upon seeing the parts it was obvious that they were for a W116. Next to the build where the parts were located was a Ford Ranger that looked familiar. I remembered seeing it listed on eBay towards the beginning of the year. I asked about the truck. The truck which was a Ford Ranger 4x4 with a lift kit had the engine replace with a 617 from a 300SD (thus the W116 parts). The manual transmission from the truck was used. The owner said that it has incredible power, but there was an alignment issue causing the clutch to have a very short life. As far as attempting such a thing I give the owner credit. He was no idiot and he had a machine shop at home that was equipped to a degree that many businesses would envy. I wish that I still had the contact information. I would be interested in purchasing it and trying to get the engine/transmission alignment solved.

I did see an article a few years ago were someone restored/customized a 1969 or 1970 Chevy pickup. The engine was a non-turbo 606. I don’t remember what was used for the transmission. It was one cool looking truck and the idea of the 606 made me drool.

I thought about the idea of putting a 617 in an S-10, but the engine is too long and the oil pan would interfere with the cross member. I really like the idea of a small pickup with a 617. Sure, there is the VW, but I want something with a little substance and for my needs I am please with the duty of the S-10’s that I have had.

How about a 617 in a Ford Aerostar? Poor mans Sprinter.

Actually anything RWD, I'm nuts enough to put one in a Jag.

I know someone that put a diesel in a 2003 Mustang. Not a MB engine, it was a built VW TDI. I drove it, it was phenominal.

Personaly, my dream is a diesel SL.

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Ron Schroeder
'85 300 Turbo Diesel 2 tank WVO
'83 300 Turbo Diesel 2 tank WVO
Some former WVO vehicles since ~1980:
'83 Mercedes 240D
'80 Audi 4000D
'83 ISUZU Pup
'70 SAAB 99 with Kubota diesel
'76 Honda Civic with Kubota diesel
'86 Golf
Several diesel generators
All with 2 tank WVO conversion
LI NY

Ive got a 1950 GMC that I want to put a 617 in. The old cab is sitting on a 79 3/4 ton chassis. Tilt wheel, ps, pb all hooked up. I was origiionally going to put in a small block chevy but they burn too much gas. I would like to make this my daily diver. Not sure which tranny Ill use though.

85 300td
85 300d
83 300d
81 240d
84 300sd

I'm thinking of putting a 76-82 300D diesel in my F150 with the cracked block 360 cid gasser. I need a pickup to support my acreage and haul tractor parts, but 11 mpg is just too obsolete, and I don't need to go 100 mph like the 360 will push it. I was going to pick up a 300D with an automatic, and splice in the drive shaft, the local spicer shop makes good custom driveshafts. I'll have to swap the 9" Ford Rear end from 3.08 to about 5.69, but that rear end is massively supported because of drag racing. One hold up was the local VET (emission tests) didn't allow engine swaps, but I just heard they were abolishing it in January. I'd like to put a 4.2L 4 cylinder diesel in like my tractor has (Fiat/Oliver) but that thing probably weighs 3000 LB. and their are no bell housings available. Perkins 65 Hp 4cyl like a Massey Ferguson is also an option, but transmissions are a problem- available only in Dolly Madison bread trucks. Ford 7.3 L and Dodge/Cummins 6.1 turbo have way more power than I intend to use, I don't haul trailers. I don't like turbos, either, they are expensive to replace and touchy about the oil.

Recently I've seen a Doge Ram Van with a 617 turbo engine. Seemed more than adequate for the job.

MB made tons of vans with the 616 na (and a few times the 617na). They continued this practice after they stopped using the engines in cars if I am anot mistaken. Never put in a turbo at the factory to my knowledge. My 307d had the 616 and 409d had the 617.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

What abiout the School Buses that are using MB Engines now?