My first parts car I had to tow to the house!! An '81 is great because it has more of the updated parts that other folks might need, and the brackets and things on the engine are like your '80 with AC compressor location and such.
Be sure and document this whole process, with pics. China is going to need this swap soon and I'm definitely going the NA 5cy route.

project on hold! just found out that i'm going to be a dad! so many things to do. plus, the weather's not so nice in dallas. think we're going to try the transplant mid march. i'll keep you updated! squash will run again!

Congrats on the kid and good luck on the transplant. It's not so bad to do (but if you do it, definitely do a manual trans!). You'll probably want to steal the 300 differential as well, as otherwise your engine is wound up too high on the highway (my car had a 3.0L turbo with the 240 diff when I bought it, and trust me - it gets old).

That is awesome Andy!!!! Congrats on the news. The Squash will make a worthy diaper hauler........

On hold? Whats wrong with you. My second kid was born on day two of the engine swap :)

You will want the trans cross member from a 240D auto and probably want to replace the center bearing.

marrying into the purchased of a house! no more Fonzi living lifestyle garage apartment for me! trying to schedule the transplant in mid march if i can get the operating room at the folk's place while they're outa town. some friends and i are doing it monster garage style over a long weekend. it's gona be beer, benz, and wrenched. let me know if anyone is interested. location arlington, tx

March Engine Swap
 

If I am able I will join in. I trek up to Dallas on a regular basis. The beer drinkin part, at least. I could also hook a thumb into my belt loop and provide Boomhauer-like moral support. DangedoleGermanoverengineerinItellyouwhat.

BoPhunk

Well, I wouldn't miss an operation on the Squash, unless you just don't want the guy there who sold you a car that needed an engine. :o:o:o
I did this swap on China and it shouldn't be too difficult. The things you need to line up before hand are the shortening of the shift linkages and the drive shaft work. There will also be exhaust differences but I have a complete NA 300D exhaust system if the donor car has an issue with this. I also have an alignment tool for the clutch stuff.
BTW, did you already get the donor?
You'd better get this swap done before the baby gets here. Life will completely change after that.....;)

the donor car-guy stood me up sunday and anyone that uses a Boomhauer reference is welcome to join.