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  #31  
Old 02-06-2007, 09:57 PM
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Location: London, Ontario, Canada
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I drove a 603 powered 87 SDL, and my 617 SDL felt faster, same body style, same weight, only mine had a taller rear gear.

Ill agree that both are great engines, Ill bet that the car with the highest mileage on this forum (diesel side) is not a 603, atleast not yet.

The V-Belt system on the 617, is primative but reliable, can be jury rigged in an emergency, the serpentine on the 603, more modern, quieter more efficient, but you only have one belt...

The aluminium head on the 60X series means that you must be religious about your maintence in regards to the cooling system,

Both are excellent engines, both will last a very long time if well maintained,

its all preferance really, some like the 603, some the 617,

I personally love the old-tech nature of the 617. yes its loud, yes it clatters, but damit its beautiful in its simplicity.

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1984 Euro 300SDC, (4spd standard)
1986 Toyota Landcruiser Diesel HJ60 5spd X2

Gone but not forgotten (some sold, some stripped)
1983 300 SD, 1985 300 SD, 1983 240D, 1986 300 SDL, 1985 300 SDL, 1983 300 D, 1984 300 D, 1985 300SD, 1987 300 SDL, 1983 300 SD, 1985 300 TD Euro, 1983 380SEC, 1990 300 D, 1987 300D, 1982 300D, 1982 300D, 1994 E420, 1987 300 TD, 1987 300 D, 1984 300 D
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  #32  
Old 02-06-2007, 10:12 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hatterasguy View Post
My 617 has had Rotella 15w40 in it for probably the last 20 years, and I know the PO doesn't skimp on oil changes. But at 225k miles its just about shot. On the other hand I have seen some abused 603's that have little blow by or still have suction if you stick your hand over the openning. I have yet to come across a 603/606 that chugs like a lot of 616/7's do. I suspect MB improved the bottom ends a lot.

Now the 606 man those things just rack up the miles. There is no reason they won't last 500k+ miles if you drive a lot and maintain them. I have seen some tight 300k+ mile 606's, real tight amazing really. Also consider that most have had a steady diet of Mobil 1 since new.

Really the car will rot out or will be shot before the engine gives up if you take care of it.
Out of curiosity, how do you know how much maintence your car has had during its lifetime, if you do know that it had rotella in it since new, you dont know how often it was changed.

Thats alot of speculation, there are lots of 617s that have been well maintained all over the world, That are running around with very high miles. most 617s that I see that died did so because of owner error, like loosing oil pressure,

I dont think that there is anything at all wrong with the bottom ends of the 617..
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1984 Euro 300SDC, (4spd standard)
1986 Toyota Landcruiser Diesel HJ60 5spd X2

Gone but not forgotten (some sold, some stripped)
1983 300 SD, 1985 300 SD, 1983 240D, 1986 300 SDL, 1985 300 SDL, 1983 300 D, 1984 300 D, 1985 300SD, 1987 300 SDL, 1983 300 SD, 1985 300 TD Euro, 1983 380SEC, 1990 300 D, 1987 300D, 1982 300D, 1982 300D, 1994 E420, 1987 300 TD, 1987 300 D, 1984 300 D
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  #33  
Old 02-06-2007, 10:19 PM
Hatterasguy's Avatar
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Milford, CT
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Because he bought it in about 1985, and it was his primary car until 2000. He is fanitical about maintaince, and I know him well enough to know that every 3k miles or so that car went to the shop for an oil change. The original owner has a large trucking company, with in house mechanics.

The last 6 years are what probably got it, his kids had there way with that car. If it was neglected it was during that period, but the inside of the engine is pretty clean so...

On the other hand my uncle knows a lawyer who bought a 1984 300SD new, and proceded to drive it about 35k miles without popping the hood then traded it in. 35k miles on the factory oil is pretty impressive!
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  #34  
Old 11-06-2009, 07:36 PM
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Join Date: May 2008
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Question Question about engine fit

Quote:
Originally Posted by DslBnz View Post
With a mechanical pump, and in a W126 for me.

The 603 takes a little more time to work on certain areas, and is REALLY crammed tight inside the W124. Buckets of blood when doing glow plugs without removal of the intake manifold.

I've owned many 617's in very nice running condition. Inside the cabin of a W126, the engines should be barely audible. There should be NO vibrations. The thrust off the line is quite strong and doesn't trail off until after 4200 rpm or so (like the 350 engine). They should hit 4600 in all gears.

They sound more tractor'ish than a 603/606 (which are very similar in acoustics to the M103/104). But they're a Hell of an engine, and I wouldn't hesitate to own one again. Even with 30K mile valve clearance adjustments.

I don't have a preference. Perhaps the 617 is better suited to all around driving where the 603 is generally more of an interstate cruiser. I personally like the note of the 603 at 5K rpm + better than the 617's (I'm gonna toss parts through the hood).
G'day mate. Just noticed this comment. Very interesting. Could you please tell me if a 617 (W123 330D) engine will fit into a W124 body? Cheers! Ed
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  #35  
Old 11-06-2009, 07:59 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ed1Sinclair View Post
G'day mate. Just noticed this comment. Very interesting. Could you please tell me if a 617 (W123 330D) engine will fit into a W124 body? Cheers! Ed
The length should not be a problem but there might be challenges with engine mounts, starter clearance, transmission connection, etc. Depending on where the vehicle is to be registered, there might also be emissions requirements that the 617 might not meet -- usually the requirements (if any) are based on the year of the chassis and the engine must meet requirements for that year.

In any case, it's kinda going backwards. The 603 is in many ways a much nicer engine (I can say that 'cause I own one of each).

Jeremy

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