I just picked up a 1968 280se and I'm having a hard time finding any information about putting an NA 617 motor in one. Does anyone know what would be involved?

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1977 MB 300D
1968 MB 280se
1957 MGA 1500
1969 Honda CL350

It's been put into a W110. It will require modifications. Especially with the oil filter housing, oil cooler, accelerator linkage, and engine mounts.

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Why?!?

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

put a 617... just move the oil filter housing with a custom bracket.. someone here has them/makes them


a diesel 108 would be sweet

but only if the current engine is dead

So other than the oil filter housing everything will just bolt up? Can I use the existing gas tank and lines? Can I use the existing transmission?

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1977 MB 300D
1968 MB 280se
1957 MGA 1500
1969 Honda CL350

You can use the existing gas tank and lines.. I did.
Engine does not fit onto existing mounts, you can either go the way I did and welded new mounts on the subframe that fits the OM617, or fabricate new mounting arms for the OM617 so that it will fit the existing mounts.
Mine is a W111 but they're alike inside..
See this post for a picture of how I did the mountings..
http://fatfranz.wordpress.com/2007/01/11/bright-flashes/

And yes there's some very valid points in this thread, the car is not going to be a rocket. I have the standard fintail 4.08 rear end and top speed in fourth gear with engine screaming is about 65mph. One way to solve this problem I'd think is to use the five-speed manual instead, OR what I'm planning to do next, swap in a 3-something rear axle from a W108 and increase the wheel diametre.

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Tomas, Sweden
1966 Mercedes Benz 230S with OM617.912, automatic. Disk brakes from W108
1983 Mercedes Benz 300TD grey, OM617.912 and 5-speed manual
1983 Mercedes Benz 300TD blue 7-seater, OM617.912 and 5-speed manual

I've just bought a converted W108 280SE. Its got a 240D engine in it.

Somebody asked why a while back; well here in the UK fuel is now so incredibly expensive I had to have a classic car that could run on veg oil. Diesel here is now the equivalent of $10 per (imperial) gallon!
We also have a law here that pre-1972 cars don't pay road tax (which is the equiv of $360 a year just to be able to use your car on the road!).
There are very few diesels of pre-1972 vintage that are practical for everyday use, and a converted W108 seemed to fit the bill nicely as I wasn't prepared to do a conversion myself.

Anyway, its been converted quite well by the previous owner. Being RHD the battery is more or less in the same position as std, as the brake servo is on the opposite side to LHD cars. The engine mounts are originals that have been cut in half and re-welded at an angle. Pretty they ain't, but they work!
The rear axle is stock and seems well matched for the conversion. It'll do 80+mph (eventually!) and I get 30-40mpg on veg. The exhaust is half original (mufflers) and half 240D (manifold & header).
The floor mounted auto shifter has been taken out and replaced by a manual 4 speed. An aftermarket vacuum cut off has been fitted to the IP and I've wired the glow plugs to the low fuel light to let me know when to fire it up.

I happen to work for a company that uses various oils for the food industry. Guess who has all the rejected waste oil for free?!!! The engine runs well with no modifications at all on a 90% oil and 10% gasoline mix even at sub-zero temps here in Britain. It does need a fair bit of cranking on a cold morning however! I'm doing 50 miles a day and so far so good.

It needs paint and a little bodywork but that aside its providing nearly free motoring in style - I love it!

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the one thats bolted to the 617? perhaps.. might require a mod to the transmission cross member

This one should be similar......

http://fatfranz.wordpress.com/about/

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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

Jeez, that guy is a hammer mechanic.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

And a member here...

I was thinking more about the transmission in the w108. Would the motor mounts match up between an m130 and an om617?

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1977 MB 300D
1968 MB 280se
1957 MGA 1500
1969 Honda CL350

I have no specific info. They might be close. The earlier 617 will be a better choice than the later since it is designed for a more similar engine compartment.

Best thing is to get a 115 body with the desired motor and sit them side by side and do a tale of the tapes, measuring as much as you can before starting with your wrenches and torch.

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.

I think you'll find the 108's axle ratio all wrong for the diesel. Unless you never plan on cruising above 55mph.
W108 rear ends are unique. Nothing else fits otherwise, my W108 would be 617 powered. Its GM powered now.

GM powered huh......I would love to see some pictures of that and some info of whats involved.

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1977 MB 300D
1968 MB 280se
1957 MGA 1500
1969 Honda CL350