380SL Diesel Conversion Project - Page 27 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #**391** 10-24-2016, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike gamble

I just thought I'd use my first post on the site to say thank you very much!
It's a great read which although taking me 2 hours to read thoroughly, I've read it for the last two nights.

Having a 450 SLC here in the UK, this has been quite inspirational. The only possible snag I see, and I haven't done much research yet but, I'm not sure how common the 300 turbocharged unit is here in the UK? I know the N/A units are fairly commonplace but, would a 125 hp N/A unit be enough to pull along a beast of an SLC?

I'll start a thread but, I just wanted to say, congratulations!

The 300 na is equipped with a lower gear in the rear end from the factory so with that it feels quicker off the line and is fine around town. On the highway it will cruise comfortably at 70 to 75 while the turbo will cruise at 85 comfortably if you want to push it. The turbo will also be quieter relative to engine noise. Also a Euro 300 na has a different pump as well. My 300 Na with the 307 diff from the turbo would run 100 mph. I think with the stock gears it would run nearly that much as well.

The turbo is nice though and with the taller gears would get about the same fuel economy as the factory 300 na.

Druk · #**392** 10-24-2016, 06:30 PM

The 300turbo in the 107 thread is pulling a 2.47:1 diff on a 1:1 fifth gear. Just ticking over at 70mph

almater1 · #**393** 10-14-2017, 12:44 AM

I have come across a 1979 R107 that has sat in a barn the past 15 years! This project has me thinking maybe just maybe I will tackle this soon. I have 4 300CD's and now 3 R107s, one is the 380 and the other 2 450SL's. Seems like I have some choices to convert one of these beauties. THANKS so much for the extremely laborious posts and I too will try to follow your excellent example of a successful swap!

almater · #**394** 04-17-2019, 07:09 PM

Just curious, I am getting ready to attempt the same swap and the SLDIESEL.com site vanished... Loved looking at that for some guidance. Not sure if you still peruse these posts, but hope you do. Love to reach out with some questions if you see the post.

okyoureabeast · #**395** 04-17-2019, 07:57 PM

Hey Almater,

I met Mach4 at the SoCal GTG back in 2017 and saw his beast in action. Great guy, I think he lives down in San Diego. Try sending him a PM and see if he has a back up somewhere.

I would also use waybackwhenmachine to pull some of his stuff.

Though both this thread and the one on BW are pretty well rounded. I think he documented most of the work here in the threads so you can follow in his footsteps.

If you're feeling lazy, an OM616 NA will fit without modification as the subframe is the same between the w115 and the r107. Though, an NA diesel just isn't the same.

t walgamuth · #**396** 04-17-2019, 11:28 PM

Mach 4 did an extremely thorough job on his car. He was very generous with his explanations of the project too. All the work is top rate.

ROLLGUY · #**397** 05-21-2019, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Mach 4 did an extremely thorough job on his car. He was very generous with his explanations of the project too. All the work is top rate.

Agreed 100%!!!!
I can say that with authority, as I am the new caretaker of it! I took delivery of the car a few days ago. I am amazed with every well designed aspect of this conversion, and the quality workmanship that Paul has accomplished. It is in need of a little TLC (cleaning, detailing, maintenance), so I will be posting photos and a play-by-play of my progress.

First on the list is replacing the axles. A new set of annular axles were provided. It has a few leaks that will have to be addressed. Thankfully the car is being stored at a friends house that has a lift. I also need to fix the belt alignment on the A/C compressor. A complete set of NOS leather seat upholstery was provided, so they will get installed as well. I have a set of 15" Bundt wheels that I was saving for a special car (not knowing what that special car would be), so I will refinish them and get some new tires mounted.

Along with the seat skins and axles, a bunch of extras were provided with the car. Paul made a lifting fixture for the hardtop. He used an engine crane to remove it. He also provided an electric cable hoist that I will use in my garage to remove/replace the top. The trunk was full of parts and fluids and other extra parts.

This will be my new show car, and I am sure I will thoroughly enjoy it. Thanks Paul!

bkc · #**398** 05-21-2019, 10:57 PM

Never thought Mach4 would sell that car. How did you manage to acquire it from him?

okyoureabeast · #**399** 05-22-2019, 02:14 PM

WOW! I am SUPER jelly!

I can't believe he sold it. I'm glad I had a chance to met him and the machine itself.

An r107 diesel is sort of a cross of perfect for me. My favorite part is how it gets like 30 mpg and avoids smog

dude99 · #**400** 05-22-2019, 08:16 PM

I'm blown away he let that go!

Idahobenz · #**401** 05-22-2019, 08:48 PM

This is Mach4, operating under the alias Idahobenz. I passed the car along to Rollguy for two primary reasons:

Age - just getting too old to enjoy crawling around under the car getting greasy
Move to Idaho - the new place has oppressive HOAs and no room to work

I feel grateful that the project is in good hands and will be maintained, improved, driven and shown

Thankful to be out of California

okyoureabeast · #**402** 05-22-2019, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Idahobenz

This is Mach4, operating under the alias Idahobenz. I passed the car along to Rollguy for two primary reasons:

Age - just getting too old to enjoy crawling around under the car getting greasy
Move to Idaho - the new place has oppressive HOAs and no room to work

I feel grateful that the project is in good hands and will be maintained, improved, driven and shown

Thankful to be out of California

Damn mach, we'll miss you. Make sure to come back for the GTGs

ROLLGUY · #**403** 05-23-2019, 11:06 AM

Quote:

bkc Never thought Mach4 would sell that car. How did you manage to acquire it from him?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Idahobenz

This is Mach4, operating under the alias Idahobenz. I passed the car along to Rollguy for two primary reasons:

Age - just getting too old to enjoy crawling around under the car getting greasy
Move to Idaho - the new place has oppressive HOAs and no room to work

I feel grateful that the project is in good hands and will be maintained, improved, driven and shown

Thankful to be out of California

I am glad I was not able to chime in right away, you answered the questions better than I could have.

And, Lord willing, I will in fact maintain, improve, drive and show the car. I have access to a nice shop with a lift, so working under the car will be easy for me. As for improving, I don't think I can improve on any of the electronic gadgetry- that is above my pay scale. However, anything mechanical I can handle. In the immediate future, I will be cleaning and detailing the car, as well as replacing some parts before putting it on the road. I also need to sell my wagon so I will have a garage space to park it in! I don't really want to park this car outside. Since a lifting fixture and electric hoist were provided with the car, I will set up the garage so the car can go "topless" this summer. I have never owned a convertible before, so this will be a new and exciting experience for me........Rich

coachgeo · #**404** 05-31-2021, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mach4

Quote:

Originally Posted by Idahobenz

...

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

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.... I thought it might be helpful to just go through my thinking process vis a vis motor mounts. ........

so what did you go with again? shore 40?

and it has been a shiat long time... how have they held up???? Idahobenz/ROLLGUY??

also... in my application (swap into a 4x4) the stock mounts even new on driver side are known to rip from lift due to torque in 4x4 environment... particularly in low range. Im second or third owner and it came to me with ripped OEM mounts and OEM mount arms..... I can't particularly afford redesigned arms and other mounts folk have resorted to in order to resolve this issue (cummins mounts..... newly fabbed engine arms)

what would you recommend in this case when using OEM arms and urethane filled OEM mounts??...

. I've considered modifying a bolt so it snugs up into engine arm thru the mount similar to OEM.... but it snugs up to a locked in place nut on its threads, and not the bolt head as in OEM..... But with using a longer bolt that actually goes thru the additional urethan allowing for the bolt head and a large metal object there that is broad yet counter sunk so this bolt head end snuggs up against this which snugs up against the urethane base.
> Now if you get engine lift on driver side due to torque you have that force limited by the bolt pulling up against the whole urethane wanting to rise ..... and not just the engine arm pulling/tearing fashion up against the rubber alone as what happens in OEM and your set up..
> granted not fully confident though having the bolt thru to the bottom of the urethan like this would really help though any more than just filling them and mounting OEM fashion like you did.

. Have also considered two layers of different shore... softer inner layer agains the OEM sides say 30 or 40 shore... then say 80shore filling the rest and the bolt head as described above snugging against this.

(or send me a link to similar discussion if you know of one.. I have searched)

Mucho thank you in advance.

ROLLGUY · #**405** 05-31-2021, 02:38 PM

The mounts have held up incredibly well. When I had the sub frame out to modify it to make room for the A/C compressor, the mounts looked as good as new. I can't speak to the shore value, or anything like that. As far as mounting hardware and such, the SL has the bolt going through the aluminum piece cast into the rubber of the mount, and goes completely through the mount arm (not just threaded into the aluminum arm). On the SL, the added material is on there only to keep the mount from sagging. I think for your 4X4 application, you need a more solid type mount. I doubt the stock mounts even if they are filled on the bottom, will hold up to the off-roading your rig will punish them with......Rich