I like it! Especially since I'm going to do one of these conversions myself when I can! Since I get my WVO from my local doughnut shop, I make that into biodiesel and I'm sure I will NOT car what the exhaust smells like! (Unless I start putting on a few pounds!)

Want one!

You are basing the hood clearance issue proclamation on what? I have 123s with the 300d and the 110 gasser. I would bet that the 110 is taller.

In fact I have a 617 and a 110 spare engine(s) in my garage, shall I go measure them?

Lets see....what is an appropriate bet?

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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.

Ok I measured.

The answer is not completely straightforward. Both engines have around 2" clear to the hood sheet metal by my estimate.

The 110 engine is about 2" shorter but the highest point is about 8.25" back from the hood latch bodywork. The 617's high point is about 11.5" back from the same bodywork. As the hood moves toward the windshield it rises thus giving them both room to clear the hood pad if its tight to the hood. Neither of my cars has a hood pad anymore, so there is loads of clearance.

I am guessing that the sl featured with the 617 might not have a hood pad or the bump on the 617 is well polished.

I think that Forced is right about which is taller but I still believe that the 617 will probably fit without resorting to custom motor mounts. If you drop the motor you will be exposing the oil pan to hitting things, so this is not an attractive option.

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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 it's kewl.

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Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

the originals were cast but I bet if I had a 300SL badge and the D grafted together I could make a silicone mold of it and then use some and cast a resin version and stuff...

First, thanks for the measurements, I've been a bit curious too. Does the bolded statement above imply that one wouldn't need to make motor mounts for this engine swap? I just assumed that you'd need to fab up motor mounts for any gasser-diesel swap. If there's not a whole lot of custom work, it sounds relatively easy! I'm interested in learning more about this swap--now that my SD has a hole rotted in the trunk, it may become an organ donor.

Does anyone have any links to threads or anything that tracks this conversion? I've tried looking and couldn't come up with anything. Thanks!! -TC

p.s. if you guys think 9k is a lot for this car, check out the prices in philadelphia--lowest I saw for a rusty SL was $7k.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth