82 300d turbo into 85 300d n/a
 

i was just given an 85 300d non turbo that a freind ran out of oil. Was planning on taking some parts for my 82 300d turbo and parting out the rest but the 85 interior and transmission are in much better shape. i was thinking of just swapping the motors but wasn't sure if it would fit and if the trans for the non turbo could handle a turbo motor. what about gear ratio as well. Also, is there a good diy page for swapping these motors? thanks....

That non turbo should be a Euro Delivery or evan a grey market car. You scored good.

The engine swap should be straight foward, just make sure you transfer turbo engine specific parts as well. The tranny will handle the turbo engine, and the drive line should be a 2.88 geared set-up.

what is euro delivery and grey market?

Would a euro have 2.88? My '84 euro has 3.46. You can look it up from the VIN.

Anyhow, it has been attempted:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=180013
Not sure what the final result was though.

And here are some engine links:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=206227
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=194431

Grey market is when you buy a car overseas and import it to the states. Not sure exactly what euro delivery is but it is similar. There are a number of differences between the euro and US versions besides the turbo, there's the bumpers, headlights, climate control... some people like the euro look.

I do not know if the 2.88 was for the US market only. If needed you can swap out the rear diff and speedo from the 82. The 82-84 turbos had the 3.07 gear ratio.

It means the car was purchased outside the USA and imported through a private importer rather than Mercedes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_import_vehicles

Being a non-turbo, the 85 likely still has a 3.46 differential.

spent some time going through the 85 today. the interior is nice but i found lots of rust on the outside, as well as a few other issues. looks like i'll be taking the doors and fender for the 82 and parting out the rest of the 85. sad sad sad. still havent figured out why it ran out of oil. there was oil all over the engine compartment as well as a steady trail everywhere they drove the car around town the day it died. such a shame....

could be a broken oil cooling line. There are two. they both go from the oil filter housing to the oil cooler located next to the radiator.