Helping a friend out with a car that belonged to me some time ago. The engine over heated and blew the head gasket. He took it to a machine ship who indicated that the head is warped over .005 in the middle.
In order to make it straight, he indicated that it would need to be machined 0.009 inches to correct it. However he claimed that you cannot machine an OM-617 head and told my friend to find another head.

Does this sound correct?

If so, will a W123 OM-617 head work?

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With best regards

Al

afik, all 617 heads use the same casting.
I wonder what makes the heads unmachineable? it's a flat head, I suppose the timing chain would have issues... valve clearance?

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
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My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
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1987 300TD
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probably not setup to machine cast iron

Possibilities, reduction of valve operational space, prechamber clearance issues. Anyways maximum allowable skim is only about 3 thousands of an inch.

I imagine some more would be allowed with the availability of a thicker head gasket if it were available. At least your shop looked up the maximum allowable reduction in head height and just did not cut it. Yep you need another head. Also do not forget to also check the block for flatness. It is probably okay but should be checked as well.


Hope this engine did not get hot enough to remove the temper from the rings.

Barry

Thanks, this is a good answer so now we can move on and look for another head.

Will the head from any other 617 work? Turbo or non turbo?

If not, what about a W123 non turbo head?

Thanks

Al

__________________
With best regards

Al

If you hunt around & get a late model update head with the cam in place your friend will notice the extra power.

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

My mechanic in LA has done numerous heads . . . don't know why the machinist wouldn't touch yours. I'd call around to other machine shops and find out if anyone else can do it, and how much they charge.

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1983 300D, the "Avocado"
1976 240D, 4-spd the "Pumpkin", SOLD to Pierre
1984 190D, 2.2L, 5-spd, my intro to MBZ diesels, crashed into in 2002

Oooops . . spoke too soon . . . didn't see the other answers about allowable shave.

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1983 300D, the "Avocado"
1976 240D, 4-spd the "Pumpkin", SOLD to Pierre
1984 190D, 2.2L, 5-spd, my intro to MBZ diesels, crashed into in 2002