I have just purchased a 1981 300D non turbo car, which will be come, hopefully my final most perfect Benz. My dream has always been a manual sunroof 240D and I currently have a very nice 240 D 4sp but with no sunroof. The 300D has a power sunroof but I can live with that or convert it. It any event, the 300D broke a timing chain, breaking the cam and some towers and putting a hole in the valve cover. I was originally planning on concerting to the 240D manual by transferring everything from my running car but I really want to get this thing on he road and I would like to test the auto tranny, which I would prefer as I have knee problems with a clutch. I can buy a used engine and install that for $1k with shipping and incidentals. I am thinking, however, of just replacing the chain, rails, tensioners, cam and towers, doing the head and seeing how it runs. I can evaluate the pistons for cracks when I pull the head. Thoughts? I am also tempted to use the 240 with the auto...how difficult a swap would that be? Speed is not an issue as it will cruise 70 with either setup.

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Rich Mason
Chapel Hill, NC
1990 300D 285k miles
1993 VW Cabriolet converted to 1.6 TD
1985 VW Westfalia 1.6 TD

IF it really busted the cam
I would strongly suppect major piston dammage
and then look for a rusted out but running parts car to pull a motor from
buying a complete rust bucket car is the cheaper eazyer way to do a swap
and you learn about the junker and get a pile of extra parts to sell
with a little luck you can get near break even on the deal

You need more information and opinions the second time around?

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=116265

when i had this happen the pistons were fine.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Yes Tim. I don't recall getting any feedback on using the 240 with the auto. Sorry if I wasted your time.

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Rich Mason
Chapel Hill, NC
1990 300D 285k miles
1993 VW Cabriolet converted to 1.6 TD
1985 VW Westfalia 1.6 TD

I'm sure there will be divots in the pistons...I had these on a 240 when I broke a chain in that car. Is there a way to check the pistons for fine cracks without pulling the engine? Some sort of dye, coating them with oil, magnifying glass? I have rebuilt these engines before but I really, really do not want to pull the engine and tear into the bottom end.

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Rich Mason
Chapel Hill, NC
1990 300D 285k miles
1993 VW Cabriolet converted to 1.6 TD
1985 VW Westfalia 1.6 TD

I remember reading that a couple years ago. Classic example of a thread without an ending.....

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

The 3 engines I have repaired with similar damage ran fine after repairing the cylinder head.