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.