Well folks I'm on the hunt for a newer (than a #14) head for my '87 300D. Currently searching yards for a 350 to pull the head, IP and turbo from. Question is, if I can get a complete later (#20 or above) head, what needs to be done to install it? I read about prechamber mods and or replacement but have not seen anything regarding a complete head replacement. I want to grab the turbo and IP as well to upgrade the hp some. The reason for this is I'm getting small amounts of oil in the cooling system indicating a failing head gasket. I don't have coolant in the oil or "morning after" pressure yet but want to address this before too long. I have another complete engine and trans but that engine also has a #14 head on it. Any info would be appreciated.

First: there is nothing wrong with a #14 head that there is nothing wrong with.

If you pull the head from a 350, grab the injector lines too and you are good to go.

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Greg
2012 S350 BlueTEC 4Matic
2007 ML 320 CDI
2007 Leisure Travel Serenity
2006 Sprinter 432k
2005 E320 CDI
1998 SLK230 (teal)
1998 SLK230 (silver)
1996 E300D 99k, 30k on WVO
Previous:
1983 240D, on WVO
1982 300D, on WVO
1983 300CD, on WVO
1986 300SDL 237k, 25k on WVO (Deerslayer)
1991 350SDL 249k, 56k on WVO - Retired to a car spa in Phoenix
1983 380 SEC w/603 diesel, 8k on WVO
1996 E300D 351k, 177k on WVO

I had the same symptoms for 30,000 miles. Changed head gasket at 325,000 miles, now at 364,000 using the orginal #14 head. Was not worth the money to upgrade.

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Present
1987 300SDL
1991 300SL
1990 560SEL
2001 ML320

Past
1969 200D 1979-82
1983 300SD 1984-85
1972 250C 1982-02
1995 S350 2011
1997 S320 2012

If you get a 350's head get the injector lines and the injectors. The thread pitch is different on the prechambers. The glow plugs are different as well.

-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.

I would not stress out about the No 14 either. Sure if yours was damaged or something I would be on the hunt. Now if you get a steal on a later head, go for it.

Later ones start at 17...

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

If you find a head newer than #14 get the injectors as the ones from the 14 head will not fit anything newer,the 2- 8mm bolts inside the front of the head,timing chain area are longer than the ones from the 14 head as well.Would be nice to get the injector pipes too but if you dont get them your old ones can be reshaped to fit the angled injectors, bend the pipes carefully so that when you attach them to the injectors they are not under any strain and be sure that all the plastic retainers are in place to prevent the lines from vibration failure. Don

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Red Green "This is only temporary,Unless it works!"

97 E300D 157000 miles
87 300TD ?141k? miles

Thanks guys, that's what I was hoping to hear. I know the 14 head is fine and my spare motor has a 14 head also. I figured if I could find one in a yard, why not upgrade? If I don't find one by June or July, I will just change the gasket, go over the head and put it back together.