ALL YA'LL MAY THINK THAT I'M NUTS. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

satx78247 · #1 10-26-2012, 07:57 PM

HI, All Ya'll,

What would have to be done to put a 1991, 6-cylinder, M-B diesel into a 1991 300SE (small body) sedan???
OR
Is it even a worthwhile/practical swap????

The deal is: I've found a black on black 300SE that is MINT (it's not even scratched anywhere that i can find.) in/out except for a DEAD/"toasted" inline 6 gas engine for 750.oo.
and
i also know where a 1991 TOTALED 350SD sedan (with a very low mileage 6-cylinder diesel engine/trans) is that was hit HARD in the rear, for 500.oo, provided that i take away the whole car.

OK, EXPERTS, give me your advice.
(I have access to the Ft Sam Houston Auto Craft Shop 6 days a week, with all their tools/lifts/indoor work areas.)

yours, satx

TheDon · #2 10-26-2012, 08:03 PM

I'd pass on the 3.5L om603 unless you like rod benders. But seems like it would be a nice swap.

Check the engine on that 350 and see if its a factory replacement engine. If it is I would then do the swap.

satx78247 · #3 10-26-2012, 08:21 PM

TheDon,

I doubt that the 350SD's engine is a replacement, of any sort, as "the double-fatality wreck" happened at 22,421 miles total on the car.

yours, satx

pawoSD · #4 10-26-2012, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by satx78247

TheDon,

I doubt that the 350SD's engine is a replacement, of any sort, as "the double-fatality wreck" happened at 22,421 miles total on the car.

yours, satx

If there's only 22k on the engine then you could at least expect 80-100k miles before any real issues began anyways. I would do it.

satx78247 · #5 10-26-2012, 09:02 PM

To The Don; pawoSD; ALL,

OK. Can everyone give me the technique/suggestions for such a swap?
(for example, should i change engine & trans, what to remove/add, etc?)

yours, tex

GregMN · #6 10-26-2012, 09:13 PM

My daily driver is a 1982 380 SEC with 603 in it. It is a blast to drive. Gets 32mpg on VO.

With both cars side by side it will be an easy swap. Swap in the engine & transmission. Use the gas diff.

vstech · #7 10-26-2012, 09:17 PM

I'd put a new butt on the 350... double fatality though... from a REAR hit... I wonder if even the transmission survived that large an impact...

satx78247 · #8 10-26-2012, 09:25 PM

GregMN,

fwiw, IF we do this swap, it will be run on "homebrew" biodiesel, made from WVO.

Further, i would think that a 300SE body would "go like stink" with a 603, as my buddy's 350SD isn't a slug, with about 550 more pounds of weight.

yours, tex

satx78247 · #9 10-26-2012, 09:29 PM

vstech,

The 350 isn't reasonably repairable, as essentially everything up to the front seat is TRASHED. - Hit by a KW 18wheeler.

also, i don't know if the trans is OK or not.

engatwork · #10 10-26-2012, 09:33 PM

Swap the engine and transmission.

satx78247 · #11 10-26-2012, 11:18 PM

to ALL,

THANKS for your comments.

Has anyone here done a similar swap & knows of any potential problems?

Also, is the 300SE transmission usable, IF the 350SD trans is ruined?
(As you've undoubtedly guessed, i'm NOT an expert, though i do my own basic/simple repairs & maintainence on my several w123 and w126 sedans, that i've owned over the years & 300SD.)

yours, tex

Codifex Maximus · #12 10-27-2012, 01:29 AM

Please take lots of pictures.

vstech · #13 10-27-2012, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by satx78247

vstech,

The 350 isn't reasonably repairable, as essentially everything up to the front seat is TRASHED. - Hit by a KW 18wheeler.

also, i don't know if the trans is OK or not.

yeah, that makes sense... these cars can take a LOT of impact and have zero pain even to the passengers... I figured if double fatality from one, it must have been either a rig, or a drop...

satx78247 · #14 10-27-2012, 02:04 AM

vstech,

I was a LEO for over 2 decades & have seen some downright ODD & peculiar things done by "citizens" BUT stopping in the road on the other side of the crest of a steep hill, without lights, is STUPID in the FIRST DEGREE and/or SUICIDE by FOOLISHNESS. = the WHY i couldn't tell you.

yours, tex