Just wanted to get some opinions on a car that I recently found. A repair shop owner has a 240d for sale locally. He doesn't want a lot for it. The body and interior are good. The engine has very low compression. Probably needs rings.

Was thinking about buying it as a second car. I'm wondering if I could find a donor engine for it at a reasonable price. Or perhaps overhauling the motor in it. The last motor I overhauled was a 302 ford. I'm sure this would be more complex and costly.

Any ideas what it would cost to overhaul? or what a donor engine might run?

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Current:
'95 E300D 282K
'85 300D - 253K

'11 Subaru Forester


Before:
'97 E420 - 135k
'80 300SD - 269K
'66 200D - ???K

I bought a 240D with good engine and tranny, but the back of car was destroyed in a wreck. About a year or so later I ran across a little 240D with a seized engine.
I did the engine swap and it was fairly simple really. That is the way I would go. If the car is a good specimen I would buy it in a second. You are correct: they are expensive to rebuild.....
I'm guessing in your area you won't have to worry about rust......

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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

Good advice. There is also a chance that some judicious use of oil treatments might loosten some stuck rings, especially if it has been run on wvo or similar things. I understand that will stick the rings pretty quickly sometimes.

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.

It may have low compression due to very tight valves. Lots of people don't realize the valves need manual adjustment and never have it done. When the valves don't close well, compression suffers.

On the other hand if the rings are bad you'll get lots of oil smoke when the car is run. Have you seen the car run yet?

Should be about a $500 value as is.......

Ken300D

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1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

Have not seen the car yet, will see it this weekend. Guy claims it won't start because lack of compression. Either way, running or not, it's a good deal.
Still not sure whether to get it or not. Thought about a older Jetta diesel too. For the MPG.

I have to finish my current engine swap project in my International Truck before I glue myself to another project. It's taking me longer than expected.

Thanks for the input.

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Current:
'95 E300D 282K
'85 300D - 253K

'11 Subaru Forester


Before:
'97 E420 - 135k
'80 300SD - 269K
'66 200D - ???K

You have to weigh your options. Rebuild is very expensive. If you can't tinker with it to see how well it will run you might want to source a used motor for $500-1000 and drop it in.

I did this with success but it took 8 months and about $2000.

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1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

I picked up my 240 for $300 with a dead motor. $500 for a non runner better be about spotless.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

I got my 240D for $300 and put a $750 used turbo engine in.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

I second Ken300D. Check the valves. I think that a 240D would be easily inframed to replace the rings.

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My Truck.. 2007 DODGE, 5.9 Cummins, 6spd stick, 4X4. My car..1977 240D, OTHER WHEELS...1955 VW Oval window bug, European Delivery (Holland) with a 1700cc, 2 barrel, Porsche drum brakes. 1939 WILLYS Pick-up. 1967 Triumph 200cc Tiger Cub. 1976 Honda 550F 4cyl Motor Cycle.