Hi guys, there's something I've been wondering about. I love the style of the old heckfloss fintails -- but wonder about the engine. On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is a stock 5.7-liter Oldsmobile and 10 is a 300 turbo diesel, how good are those old 190s? Is their time-between-overhauls comparable to a 240 or 300?

Just curious. Thanks!

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Finn John -- Albany, Ore.
www.offbeatoregon.com
76 Merc 300D, sky-blue, *86k, for driving
84 Jaguar XJ6, black, 245k, for restoring someday
71 Merc 408, 2.3 petrol 4, Avon caravan conversion (UK), RHD

They are prolly a 8 or 9 on your scale. Once you replace some of the old rubber diaphragm parts on the IP that are rotten at this age it should be just as reliable as a OM617. However it is a bit underpowered, but thats ok.

They are good motors, i wouldnt worry about it.

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1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg