1980 300TD questions
 

I am gonna go look at a 300TD, tomorow.. it has a blown motor, and some rust I guess, but it is supposed to be solid.

a couple of questions:

Are the heads interchangeable between the turbo and NA motors? I know the bottom end is different, but it looks like the camshaft on the later NA motors is the same as the those on a turbo..

what is the rear end ratio for this car?

if the body is fairly good, I may try to swap in a good block under the head, and run it... or may be that is really dumb.. (wouldn't be the first time)

opinions are welcome.
Jason

depending on the mileage and price, it might be easier just to put a donor motor in.

Ok,

that sounds wise, now that you mention it... why do I usually try for the most difficult way immaginable?

haha, just out of curiostity, how much is the asking price if u dont mind saying?

The valves are definitely different in the turbo than the NA. I don't know if the rest of the head is the same. You're going to need a motor with the hydraulic pump in the head to run the SLS, so not just any motor will do.

Jason, lotsa different parts between the turbo and NA engines. Throw in the head with the SLS pump for the TDs and you've got another set of variables.

What is the extent of the "blown" motor? If it's fixable why not just get the NA parts you need, especially given the SLS pump? Otherwise swapping in another TD engine would probably be the easiest, either NA or turbo. Not the best reference point, but I've seen complete used engines on ebay in the $1500 range.

Rearend is a 3.46 I believe.

While at some point I'd like to add a turbo TD to my garage for modification purposes, there is something to be said for the simplicity of the NA.

There are different part numbers for camshafts I doubt they are interchangeable.
3.47. The only complain about my wagon is this and the primary reason I am moving to a turbo or 124
You will never be happy without the SLS properly functioning.

look at my sig... I feel for you.
free cars with rust and blown motors are not real bargains. unless you have LOTS of $ and time to spend.
what's wrong with the head on the car you are looking at?
throwing a block from another car under your head would work, but to turbo it, will require several parts from the turbo head. and it will not last as long. the seats in the head are not the same... but if you swap out the valves and the cam. it could be done.
John

The price is $200 for the wagon...

I may use it for parts for the 240 that is sitting in the yard....
as the wagon needs rear suspension work, and at the least a head gasket, and may be other motor work. I was initally interested in it for the carpet and seats... but if it is solid, may be it will not become a parts car...

If I was to take the head off the turbo motor(which is sitting in the barn) and put the NA head on it, after switching over the parts, I bet it would be smarter to just get the correct head for the car... will be dragging the car home sometime in april and getting to look at the car in detail then... will try to decide weather to part it out or fix it up... thank you for your thoughs... more questions to follow at some point I am sure.
Jason

buy the car for $200. do with it what you will.

I have an 80 parts wagon that I need to get rid of. The engine starts right up and runs well, this was after sitting for quite some time. The only thing I would do to it is put some fresh gaskets in it to stop the oil leaks. PM me if your interested.
bb