I've just purchased a 1991 300D 2.5 turbo with a 602 engine. The miles are high and the engine is blown. I have access to a 1995 300D non-turbo 606 engine. I've never driven a car with either engine. I'm leaning towards the 95 with the 606. Will I regret that decision?

The non turbo 606 is a good freeway car, the 95s always seem to have bad transmissions and electrical issues when they are for sale though. I only have driven one once and didn't buy it because the transmission was too bad but I liked it otherwise.

I do know the engine harness was replaced. I think the seller mentioned Delphi? I thought that was a General Motors Company but don't know. I would be buying the whole car minus some minor parts. My goal is to put together a car that is economical to operate and a safe. I would like to be able to hop in the car and not be concerned about traveling a thousand miles on a whim.

My father had a 96 w210 with the NA 606. It was a good engine; a little slow off the line but just great on the highway. I liked that car but it was a rust magnet it seemed... if you can get a good 606 engine and it will connect up and run (no one issues or whatnot), I’d go for it.

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

I've got a 95 E300 in the yard coming up on 300k miles. It is one of my favorite MBs.

That should be a straight forward swap.

__________________
Jim

What means "blown?"

yeah I wonder what went wrong/how he arrived at that conclusion

They're tough to kill. Aound 300K miles, you might get a bad head gasket, and use the opportunity to go through the head. But usually the bottom end holds together forever.

The definition for blown in my vocabulary is kaput. I'm going by what the seller told me. He said the valve was hitting the piston in the number one cylinder. That did not concern me since I was planning to replace the engine. It is a California title car that is registered as a diesel. Being a 1991 model year, all I need to do is transferred the title and we're good to go. No smog checks, no explanations. I was thinking about posting a video of a blown dragster but I thought that would be childish. When I went to start the car to drive it onto the trailer, the seller said it would blow oil everywhere. So I didn't bother.

the 2.5 liter turbodiesel has a little more grunt after it comes on boost. The 606 will really wind up and only then is there much power. Both smooth and economical. I'd say use the one that appears in best condition. I am assuming the engine swap is same for both which I have no experience to support or deny.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Timing problem? Did he shave the block/head too much? did he change the pistons? I would do more digging (Check timing marks, leak-down or compression test)


Can also be a crank case ventilation/head gasket problem (#1 cylinder can get oil from the front oil passage sometimes and that will create knocking/smoking)

I picked it up and it is in a storage unit now. I guess I can pull the head before I pull the engine out. From the description that the owner gave me, I assumed the engine was toast. If anyone is curious what my definition of toast is, garbage. I found the replacement engine before the car. I don't always do things in the same order but everyone else does. Square peg trying to fit in a round hole. I make no apologies.

Do you have the '95 engine donor car? If not, you will have a hard time with the swap. There are many more parts needed than just the engine. If you had both cars sitting next to each other, the swap would be very easy. I had a '95 E300, and it was a very good car. Like others have said, it was a great road car, and got a consistent 30+ MPG. However, the car with the 2.5 may have a different diff ratio, so that may be another reason to have the 606 donor car.

__________________

All Diesel Fleet
1985 R107 300SLD TURBODIESEL
2005 E320 CDI (daily)

LOTS of parts for sale!


EGR block kit
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/355250-sale-egr-delete-block-off-plate-kit.html

1985 CA emissions 617 owners- You Need This!
Sanden style A/C Compressor Mounting Kit for your 616/ 617 For Sale + Install Inst.

Sanden Instalation Guide (post 11):
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/367883-sanden-retrofit-installation-guide.html

Yes I have a donor car. It was rear-ended. It was a nice car before the accident. From my research, the transmissions in the 95 are not that hot. While I think it'd be nice to join the cool Club have a 6-speed manual, I'm straight-up lazy. It will be an automatic for me. I also see that the torque converter on a Mercedes is a non lock up. That doesn't sound too good.

The transmission is pretty bullet proof if cared for. Change fluid and filter regularly is all really.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.