I have an 87 SDL with the OM603 motor in it, and I had it run away after replacing the vacuum shut off valve. Got so hot that the stupid #14 head cracked of course... It's so severe that even after cranking for 30 seconds, pulling the cap off the coolant tanks is ridiculously loud.

Anyway, I need to replace the head so I can get the car sold. The rest of the motor is incredibly solid. New turbo, radiator, tranny, completely new AC system, completely new IP... Cherry.

Are there any good step by step guides to help? Where should I even start with this project?

Any help would be much appreciated!

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1987 300SDL 271,000
1999 E300 Turbodiesel 155,000ish. (Dad's)

You may want to hire someone more experienced in Mercedes wrenching to do the head replacement.

__________________

"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

Have you got the factory service manual? It is absolutely *critical* for a job that large. I'd go so far as to say that if you don't own a paper copy (scarce as hens' teeth) you would be well served by printing out relevant pages and taking them out to the garage with you.

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~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL

think on this first.
what are you expecting from the sale of the car?
how much will a new head cost? (I'm assuming you want to put the latest #22 head on. which will require new injectors and new injection lines) total up all that and decide if it's worth it to sell the car.
someone here on the forum may be interested in the car AS IS...
I'd not recommend that large a job be done on a car JUST TO SELL IT.
but I don't know the car, it may have huge resale value. low mileage, etc?

also, since the head damage was done in a runaway condition, perhaps it's not all that got damaged. you could go to the expense of replacing the head and find the mains are damaged, or the pistons got burned, and scored the liners, requiring a new set to be installed... just to sell the car.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!