Hey guys,
I've lurked here for months and read maybe 70+ threads here before I decided to get an account. Seriously impressive knowledge base. Its helped me a massive amount so far.

Long story short, I heard of the lore around the diesels and last September decided to buy my first Mercedes, an abandoned 78' 300D for $600. I discovered it has a cracked and warped head. It looked like the previous owner let it get very hot, and let it sit to die. Here is the story in photos. 78 300D Full Photos - Imgur

This engine only has 160,000. I was going to get a used engine for $950.


My question is, is this engine swap necessary, or am I jumping the gun and just replace the head? If I should try to keep this engine, what do I need to be doing while I'm here.
Excited to be part of the Mercedes Diesel community!

-AwfulMechanic

Lookin good. Seems like you have what it takes to get it up and running.

Why swap the whole engine and not just the head?

__________________
Current fleet
2006 E320 CDI
1992 300D - 5speed manual swapped

former members
1984 300D "Blues Mobile"

1978 300CD "El Toro"

That's what I'm curious about, The engine is on the crane still, I could easily put it back in tomorrow If you guys think I should try to use it still!

Love the color of the car.....but get ready to shell out alot of cash....

Think that was a lot of cash to spend on a parts car.....

Are you putting a turbo engine in it? Or staying non turbo?

If you go turbo, you need to change the rear differential and I would also change the trans to a vacuum controlled model...

I hope you plan to do a brake over haul....those rotors are awful looking.....will need new disks, hoses, calipers and a new master cylinder...

Be aware, that these early models have very little re sell value....the non turbo is slowwww and you have the evil servo system.....the seats look nice but I can promise soon they will fall apart, soon the horse hair will turn to dust and then you have seat skins and springs...

I commend you for working on an early w123 and it should have a build date of 1977, first year of production......I love the early years!

But just remember look at this as a labor of love, not for resell profits....you be disappointed......and remember our saying "There is no such thing as a cheap Mercedes"

Will be looking forward to updates!

__________________

cooljjay, Thanks man. Despite being a college student working a summer job, I'm ready to spend a few thousand. You nailed everything about this car.

I didn't buy this car with the intention of turning it for profit or parting it, I bought it for the experience haha! I want to drive and love this car for what it is!

This particular car I'm going to keep nonturbo. They are slow, but its this cars personality.
All the brake components are being replaced.
AC compressor is gone, as you may see, I don't mind
The seats are ok, but are getting brittle.

Good to see you making it over from reddit.

Thanks to you haha

Oh god marry me

The good thing is, that the engine is the biggest problem you'll run into....once the engine is running, you can knock the other stuff out as you have the funds and still use it as a daily driver....I have a list a mile long of things I would like to fix but I wouldn't be afraid to drive to Alaska in its current condition..

People assume I am mental because every night I am usually outside fiddling with stuff on the car, long gone are the days guys got together and wrenched on their cars....and it was normal....sadly I am also in love with this damn beast.....

I am also one to keep my car original, I have all the accessories fully working on my car....even the evil servo....I think they are just awesome, slowly n clanky and evil controlled climate control included....

__________________

There are a couple of heads on fleabay right now for a decent price. Also a few guys have cars they are parting here. Might be worth getting in touch with them.