What is the difference between a 616 and a 617 motor. I thought a 616 was a 240 and a 617 was a 300. Is this wrong?

You are correct. These engines are very, very similar, if not virtually identical, except the 617 has one extra cylinder.

Have a great day,

If that is the case how come parts of my car have 617 on them? Its a 78 240-D. The thermostat housing and oil filter canister both have 617 stamped on them. Thats just off the top of my head. I know there is more.

Don't pay too much attention to part numbers. I mean get the proper replacement part, but don't worry that it doesn't have a 616 prefix. What it probably means in your case is that these parts were designed for the 617 block, which is a newer design than the 616, and then the parts were fitted to 616 engines. My 103 (SOHC 6) motor has some 104 (DOHC 6) prefix part numbers and probably some 102 (SOHC 4) prefix part numbers.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

MB tends to number parts by the original application (which is why the door stops on my W124 have a 126 xxx xxx number on them). The 617 was designed before the 616, appearantly, so some of the parts are numbered 617 xxx xxx. Might even have some 615 parts in there, too!

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

The 140 parts for your 240D must have been double pane side windows, power rear headrests or an integrated cell phone

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

Bill:

Door stops are easy on the later models (not like the W116 at all!) -- prevents the wind whipping the door into the fender as well as slamming on your leg! I just paid $16.95 for the last one I got -- both on the 300TE were shot, one not working and the other making horrible noises.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!