You could also get struck by lightning.........twice.

In reality, these engines are very durable on the lower end and a failure that you experienced is quite rare. Furthermore, there is no assurance that a rebuilt engine from Metric would avoid the same fate. Without knowing the pathology of the failure, nothing is certain.

The engine does suffer from the "cracked head" syndrome.........any overheat at any time provides the potential for a cracked head. If this were to occur, you're looking at an expense of $3K-$4K..........significantly less than the cost of the long block.

Naturally, if the Metric engine is overheated at any time, it will also likely suffer head cracking at some point down the road.

If OM603 longblocks are that expensive it would have been worth it to check out an SDL around here for only $1500, ran but the body was shot and rusted...

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

Buy a shortblock, I think Metric has rebuilt ones for $4kish.

But IMHO its simpler to just buy another car. Thats what I would do.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

It's $5K but this could be an option if you don't mind installing the head and IP yourself.

Have found a place in Florida "America Core" in Jacksonville FL. They sell used 300SDL engines. 130k for $2,650 and they do compresson tests etc. Any one know anything about this Company?

If you're not in a hurry, you can do much better on a used engine. Post a WTB in the classified here.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

How do I do that?

Go back to the Shopforum pick at the top of the page, Classifieds, then Parts. Just start your posting with WTB.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff