I'm planning on looking at a very interesting SDL this weekend that lacks a service history past 4 years ago. I'll give more details when I look at it, but I'm curious how I could ascertain whether or not a new or re-manufactured engine has been put it. One good sign would be the head casting number, but what else? What does MB, Metric, or others do to make their mark on their remanufactured motors?

The car would be worth it if the motor is as described... less than 30k, but apparently the previous owner did it (2 owners total). During his ownership he's gone through the brakes, rebuilt the transmission, and the AC system.

This is not a likely purchase for me, but since I'm going to be in the area I might as well look.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

On some 617 type made by Mercedes replacement rebuilts the normal number was groud off the block and another number was put there so that the same Block could be used on their various models.
However that is second hand info I read on the forum.
I doubt if a non-Mercedes rebuilder would do that.
I have also read of a 240D that had an extra plate somewhere on the Block that indicated it was a Factory Rebuilt.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

There will be a Stamped number plate (Usually on the Starboard At the Rear)
riveted to the engine block just forward of the transmission bell housing.
[Silver with Black embossing]

Noell and Metric, I'm sure, also designate their engines similarly.

Tag in picture below is Inverse Image:

Attached Thumbnails

 

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

Ditto. My 617 factory rebuild had the same badge stamped on the front of the motor, near the SLS pump. It's a fair assumption that factory rebuilt 603s have a similar badge.

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-1985 300TD - 324k mi on chassis. MB "Tauschaggregat" 617 motor + 4-speed conversion
Alaska Roadtrip 2009
-2002 E320 Wagon - 197k mi
-1998 E320 Wagon - 310k mi - retired

2x. Look for the tag. The area where the number should be on my block is ground flat, and this guy lives back on the passenger side of the bellhousing:



With the belly pan off you can see it lying on the ground looking up. That tag, date codes I've seen on some of the engine parts like inside the valve cover, and the #22 head tell me my car's PO's story about a new motor was true.

-Jason

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

The line on the plate, "Tauschaggerat" = "exchange machinery"

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1987 300D (230,000 mi on a #14 head-watching the temp gauge and keeping the ghost in the machine)
Raleigh NC - Home of deep fried sushi!

Sean is correct. I can confirm that Tauschaggregat in German translated means
exchange engine.