Engine Swap Questions
 

I am starting a new thread because the topic has changed since the original post. My knocking engine died so I need to replace it here is what I got so far.

I found 2 engines so far. The first is a 85 300D I can get the whole car (tranny, drive shaft, engine) for about the same price as I can get a exact match engine only.

I am not sure what to do as the exact match engine I just don't know about. I was told "I am 95% sure" it will run... Don't like the thought of getting a new engine and drop it all the was in to find out it is a dud. Plus no real warrenty refund deal. Owner of the 240D engine said it will turn over at the crankshaft but he never got it started because there was no tranny in the car when he bought it? My thoughts are the tranny was good so they pulled it out and left the rest or..... The tranny went bad and they pulled it so they could replace it, never got around to it and just sold it as is.

How hard do you think it will be if I get the whole 300D and swap out everything. That would mean tranny, drive shaft, and engine. I also heard somewhere I would need to swap the rear differential as well? Is that true.

Ok maybe I am in over my head... All opinions welcome.

An engine that you can hear and see run, is probably worth 2 without a verified history. You could probably get by without a differential swap. I think the 300d is a better deal but it will be a little more of a challenge, although not totally overwhelming since all the parts should be there for the swap.

i agree with kerry but strongly advise against keeping the 369 rear end in the car. it will use lots of fuel and make a hellofa racket on the highway.

good luck

i wouldnt buy an engine that i couldn't hear run.

buying a complete car with other issues such as rust or bad cosmetics allows you to drive it and evaluate the tranny rear end and engine. i would also have it checked by a knowledgable mb diesel mechanic.

tom w

What happened to the 300d that it is now a parts car? A word of caution, the 1985 300d has some electronic stuff for the tachometer and egr. You don't have to use this stuff for the engine to run but, if you want to use the 300d's instument cluster with a tach, you will have to transfer it over. But there are ways around that also, like using the 82-83 tach setup. Also, keep in mind that if it is a California model you will have the PITA trap oxider to deal with.
If you are going to do the swap, I too suggest that you replace the rear end with the 300d's. All in all I think this is also good to have this parts car so you can take a whole lot of pictures and just copy the set up over to the 240d.

What they said.

Is your 240D a stick or auto?

All of the engines are automatics. I feel exactly the same way about the 240D engine. If I can't see it run it seems like it is worth about as much as the blown one sitting in the car right now. It might be a different story if I was going to pay to have it installed there and then I would just jump in and drive off but that totally defeats the purpose of my "project car". Plus I am not willing to part with the cash at this time. I believe that the seller is honest and trust worthy and I am sure we could work something out if it didn't run but I am not sure I want to take that chance (time and effort). The way I look at it he could have said I am 100% sure this is a good engine sell it to me and never look back.

First question is how hard will it be to swap the rear ends? Second what kind of legal stuff do I have to do to make the engine/tranny/rear end swap legal since the VIN #S won't match?

So if my better half will let me have 2 cars sitting around a while I think the 300D is the way to go. Everything should fit on the chasis and it would be like taking a puzzle apart and then putting it back together (with a lot of pics to help). Plus I would have to worry about the tach, the electronics, the heating/cooling system, a difference in vacuum systems, (fill in the blank with more worries). Not impossible but maybe to much for my first swap! Maybe I will just have to wait to find a known running 240D engine.

I would still appreciate all ideas, concerns, and problems. You guys are great! I am addictted already so I just have to have me a diesel that runs!!

so the entire 85 300 is the same price as a questionable 240 motor?

no brainer!! get the 85.

I am not sure what happened to the 300D I haven't seen it in person. I am going to make the trip this week or next. The yard man said it runs great but has a fair amount of body damage to right fender, head lights grill etc. and a fair amount of rust in the usualy places. He said I was more than welcome to come up and look it over or have someone look at it, drive and all. I think I have called every salvage yard within a 150 mile radius and these are the only 2 MB diesel engines I have found. Quite a few told me they could ge me one from another salvage yard in their "network" but the prices on those were high! $1000+ I was hoping to find one in the $500 range give or take a little. So far these are my 2 options.

Go for it. 300D
 

Get the 300d. I think you will probably be able to work through it with out too much trouble. These cars are not all that complicated. If you are somewhat mechanically inclined and like a project it will be a positive experience. Having the right tools is important. All the running gear should bolt up ok. I put an 85 turbo motor in my 80 wagon with a 240 d 4 speed manual and a 3.07 rear end as my first benz project. It only took me about a week all said and told. The hardest part was finding all the right parts with out going over budget.

I spent: 750 motor, 100 trany, 50 clutch, 45 flywheel balancing, 60 pedal assembelly + master cylinder, 60 new slave cylinder, 130 drive shaft cut + balance, 125 rear end (worth changing), about 150 odds and ends.

If yopu have a whole parts car with everything you need it will be much cheaper and easier for you. You also have a prety good suport network on line. Take your time, ask qustions.

If I take the entire engine/tranny/driveshaft from the parts car will I still need to cut the drive shaft or will it all fit right in as this is a 123 correct?

Anybody swapped shift linkages on these 2 how similar/different are they?

Should bolt up, no cutting.
Linkages should be pretty straightforward since you'll have the complete system from the donor car.

Insanespiv, where do you live, I have a good 240D engine with 180K on it I have taken the vacuum pump, 350 US, but im in Southern Ontario.

About $150 or so to ship the engine via Forward Air.

You will need to do some wiring harness work as you will now have 5 glow plugs instead of just 4.
There will be other little nits that will pop up, I just can't think of them at this second. (from my 240D into 300D project that I abandoned)

**I think I would still bide your time and wait for a 240D engine**

I am located in Central Missouri. So if I can add right that would be $350 for the engine and $150 for shipping if that estimate is close so $500 total. Now that is in my range. Hmmm. The vacuum pump from my original 240D should still be good... Unless I had multiple knocks... I will have to think about that and then look deeper into shipping.