Will 300D engine & tran fit a 300TD of same year? (1985) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

azitizz · #1 05-08-2013, 12:24 AM

Theres someone selling an engine and transmission with only 62000 Km asking $1500. I have a 1985 300TD with over 300000 Miles. Will this fit? is it a good deal?

What do others think?

Thanks for your input
Michael

davidlee · #2 05-08-2013, 02:02 AM

Well , heres the thing, yes it will fit but....... if you are taking a sedan engine and putting it in a wagon, the engine head itself is different, part of the rear Self Leveling Suspension (SLS) system is conected to the engine through the head and the sedan models did not have this hook up, now, that being said, alot of people do away with the SLS and run regular old coil springs in the rear, if you did that it would work perfect, if you wanted to swap heads out it would be a perfect fit, but who wants to tear into a 68K km engine, thats like 40K miles, thats like 2 years worth of driving on it, sounds pretty low, are you sure it has that low of miles? I would be very skeptical about the claimed mileage unless you some how know for a matter of fact the miles are true.
They have not put that engine in a car for over 25 years,

vstech · #3 05-08-2013, 08:12 AM

what's the problem with your current engine?

azitizz · #4 05-08-2013, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

what's the problem with your current engine?

Well, this and that, probably nothing that cant be fixed, although the other engine looks immaculate from the pictures. Even if its not exact milage as claimed, its no doubt many many miles newer than mine.

Im not sure Im ready for the project though. It sounds like no small deal to swap out the engines. But the temptation for a shiny new engine is tough to resist...

I spoke with the seller, he said an old man had this car as his hobby car, drove it in the summer once in a while, It got rear ended, his friend wanted only the upholstery for his ow car, and he had plans to use the engine for another vehicle to run on Biodiesel, but his plans have changed since.

Heres the ad: 1985 Mercedes Benz complete 5 cylinder turbo diesel with trans. - Winnipeg Engine, Engine Parts For Sale - Kijiji Winnipeg Canada.

How much would my old engine go for if I were to sell it? If I could get a few bucks for it it may help justify the expense....

Chad300tdt · #5 05-08-2013, 02:04 PM

If you go through with the swap and don't want to lose your SLS, I've been told that a w124 tandem power steering pump can be fit which will allow you to keep the SLS operational.

I was going to go that route if I wasn't able to find a good wagon head when I found that my head was cracked.

azitizz · #6 05-08-2013, 02:33 PM

So its not just the head that needs to be swapped for the SLS? It sounds like the existing old pump wont fit on the newer engine?

I have recently just invested some time and money into the SLS so its hard to think of letting it go...

Chad300tdt · #7 05-08-2013, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azitizz

So its not just the head that needs to be swapped for the SLS? It sounds like the existing old pump wont fit on the newer engine?

I have recently just invested some time and money into the SLS so its hard to think of letting it go...

The wagons have a special head that allows the pump to attach and operate by the timing chain spinning a gear inside the head that spins the pump.

The w124 tandem pump is a power steering pump AND a hydraulic pump. You'd have to fabricate a new mounting bracket and get a high pressure hydraulic line custom made to fit for the new length. Plus there would be a bracket fabricated for the fuel filter housing. It's a bit of work, but easier than putting a wagon head on the sedan engine you're looking at.

vstech · #8 05-09-2013, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azitizz

So its not just the head that needs to be swapped for the SLS? It sounds like the existing old pump wont fit on the newer engine?

I have recently just invested some time and money into the SLS so its hard to think of letting it go...

no.
if you swap the head from your wagon motor, everything will work perfectly on the newer engine in your wagon.

when you pull the head, be sure and have the valves, guides and seats rebuilt so you will be starting with as new as possible.

barry12345 · #9 05-09-2013, 08:39 AM

Great deal if true. I am not particularily skeptical by nature but milage claims on these cars and their engines. Just are one area that false claims are pretty rampant to put it mildly. I have found even resellers believe what is not actually true.

If you factor in the shipping to your location gets the price up higher as well.In this case you should ask for certain pictures of at least the body shell. I doubt they would be available as well as the factory oil change booklet.

If it were true it is a steal on the otherhand. Less than the cost of rebuilding the transmission. Your old engines value is prettty low in my opinion. If you have to have it make him an offer.

I was just sitting here wondering if the original hoseclamps where on the hoses or aftermarket ones. I would expect the hose clamps to still be factory at that milage. The pictures where not clear enough for me to tell.

azitizz · #10 05-09-2013, 11:27 AM

Actually the engine is here in my town, so Ill actually go and take a look at it myself.

Any clues I should look out for? Would there be a need to change all kinds of O-rings and old crusty rubber if its a seldom used engine?

I can take some better resolution pictures, and even a Video if anyone else is interrested, or even to get your opinions...
Ill try and get there today. He said a farmer wants to look at it this weekend to put in some kind of farming equipment.

He would rather see it go into a car, but Ill need a bit of thinking and of course, theres the wife.... havent told her anything yet.... Although shes the one that keeps wanting to keep our car on the road...

Im looking at probably a good few weeks of uniterrupted time though, and probably another few hundred bucks for parts that Ill need to use for fitting it up right...

vstech · #11 05-09-2013, 11:49 AM

look in the water neck, zero rust present in the hoses.
look in the valve cover at the cam. should be smooth and shiny.
look in the turbo housing, should turn easily, and have zero in out play, and slight up down play.
look at the oil filter nuts, they should be pristine nuts, with negligible wear on the points.
take pictures of it and post them here. lots of angles, lots of pictures. use flash!

if you get the motor, I'd change the turbo drain seals, the o-rings on the air filter turbo inlet, and the oil sep drain and the drain tube where it attaches to the oil pan.
certainly change the thermostat, and the housing hose while the motor is out (it's a pain in the car)
all the clear hoses, and the alda hose, and all the braided fuel return hose, and the cigar hose.

barry12345 · #12 05-09-2013, 12:01 PM

Local is great. Makes quite a differance. At least you can evaluate the engine and seller to some extent. Plus save a substantial shipping amount. Make sure the engine has not seized up sitting as well.

With a little luck little would need refreshed. How much rust if any is there in the car you want the donar engine for? Our canadian climate can be rough on these cars in my experience.

I would probably rebuild the station wagon head and install it . There is a really competant rebuilder in Monreal. The prices they changed are fair and reasonable in my experience and they seemed honest as well. Although it has been probably ten years or more since I last used them.

azitizz · #13 05-09-2013, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry12345

Local is great. Makes quite a differance. At least you can evaluate the seller to some extent. Plus save a substantial shipping amount. Make sure the engine has not seized up sitting as well.

With a little luck little would need refreshed. How much rust if any is there in the car you want the donar engine for? Our canadian climate can be rough on these cars in my experience.

I would probably rebuild the station wagon head and install it . There is a really competent rebuilder in monreal. The prices they changed are fair and reasonable in my experience and they seemed honest as well. Although it has been probably ten years or more since I last used them.

Its not too bad the rust. Had a pretty big job done on it last year where the passenger front seat floor was rusted through and the seat belt fastening bolt was hanging by the upholstery only. That was bad. looking at it you dont notice a whole lot but I know theres spots brewing under that rubber on the drivers side.

I'd be very interested to know who the mechanic is you mention. Im in Winnipeg at the moment but come June we will be heading back to Montebello QC. We make frequent trips to Montreal, and Ive wondered how to get a hold of a trustworthy machanic out there.

barry12345 · #14 05-09-2013, 12:57 PM

I will dig up the name of the machine shop. I do not know any mechanics in Quebec. This machine shop does work from all across Canada. Many other auto machine shops ship work to them that they cannot do.

azitizz · #15 05-10-2013, 12:52 PM

So I went to look at the engine last night. Im no expert on what kind of wear and tear an engine should have with such milage, but to me it looked like it would be an underestimation. By how much im not sure.

Most parts were in pretty nice looking conditiion, however some others were in worselooking than my own, like the injection pump, looked quite rusty (see picture)

I should have taken a few more but I was distracted with the chit chat with the seller.

I decided Im not ready to take this on with my time and $ constraints now, Ill just keep trying to perk up the ol one I got now. I would like to swap the automatic transmission to a manual one day, I think my money would be better spent that way.

Heres the pictures.