Replace the 6 with a 5?
 

Anyone ever thought of putting one of the BETTER 5 cyl. engines in a newer 126 body? I love my '83 SD, but I'd like one of the later 126's with the longer wheel base (SDL). Wouldn't probably be a very cheap swap, unless you could find a parts car with a decent running engine for cheap. Was just day dreaming one day and wondered how easy a swap it would be.

I do not know why you would do this. I have had much experience with both the 617's and the 60x's and they each are wonderful in their own right. In the end, I prefer the 60x's as I believe that they were a significant advancement in fuel economy and overall design over the 617's. Also, I find these extremely durable, I have a 601 with 320+ kmi which is original and just purrs.

I asked a trusted benz mechanic if they ever put a 617 in place of a blown 3.5 603 in a W126, and he said some people do it, but its a real hack job, it really was not meant to fit.

So, it is possible, as just about anything, with enough time and money.

Thanks.:D I'll stop dreaming now.