603. Diesel to Chevy 302 Smallblock conversion kit?
 

Is it true that Chevrolet makes a conversion kit that allows you to swap a 603. diesel Mercedes for a Chevy 302. smallblock? I recall reading something about it a few months ago. Has anybody herd of anybody doing this? if it is even possible? thanx

If anyone makes such a kit, it would not be Chevrolet. Actually I would be shocked if ANYONE makes such a kit.

Engine swapping an SBC into any MB is a challenge. You will need the correct oil pan and use a GM transmission that will fit in the trans hump. If you have never done an engine swap before, I don't think you know what you're in for. If you have, then I'm sure you will know how to do adequate research to make it happen.

If you do some looking, there was a gentlemen that swapped a Chev V6, I think the one that is a sawed off SBC, into a 300TD. He posted pictures of the process and did an excellent job. He obviously had much experience as well as the necessary fabrication and welding skills.

I have seen in some Haynes manuals some diagrams for difficulty of a repair operation. They show one to five wrenches, with five wrenches being the most difficult to accomplish operations. An engine overhaul is five wrenches. An engine swap like you are considering would be about ten or fifteen wrenches.

Good luck,

If you are really serious, try a Ford 302 or six, since they have the oil sump up front -- so does Chysler.

Unless you put a stroker or extensively modified engine in, though, you aren't gaining anything -- the extra weight and low horsepower output from the American engine will give you about the same performance.

A blown 603, though, well, you have to do something, and parts alone are $5000!

Peter

I don't know why anyone would put a chevy engine into an MB, but I can see why someone would put an MB engine in a chevy.

I've seen an S-10 on ebay that had a 601 and the 190D's transmission put in it. I believe it bolted right up too.

Don't do it!!!

My brother's one ton Chevy runs like crap, seems to be a major engine problem, so we are condsidering pulling an M117 (probably the 1980 one rather than the 1972 one) and stuffing that in instead, with a 5-speed tranny.

Might see if we can find an SL grille, just for fun, eh?

MB powered Chevy to the rescue!~

Peter

Re: 603. Diesel to Chevy 302 Smallblock conversion kit?
 

Are you talking about a 302 or a 305? Garbage Motors never made a 302; 302's are Ford engines (common in Mustangs and pickup trucks). If you were to put a 305 in, you may as well put a 350 in as they're the same block.

That said, I wouldn't even joke about putting a bowtie engine in a Benz. I'd strongly suggest either trying to make the 603 happy or maybe trying to get a 617 put in, or sell the car and get another M-B (or a Chevy or a Ford). The engine swap would be more trouble than it's worth, and you will veyr likely not be happy with the end-result.

Just some thoughts...good luck!

Maybe after you get the 350 installed you could try to swap a nice live axle in for the inferior MB multi-link set-up.

The early Z28 Camaros
 

had 302 CID Chevy small blocks because that's what SCCA rules required then, but you're right -- a 302 Ford is a lot easier swap into most cars with in-line engines, not only because the sump is usually in the front, but comes in many versions for different applications, but the Ford 302 is much narrower (and longer) than the Chevy. You might go over to brickboard.com (the prime Volvo site) and find out about Converse Engineering, who make kits for putting V8 Fords into diesel and other Volvo 240 series cars and others, and also Jaguar conversions. The Volvo has the advantage of an old Studebaker design rear axle which can take a lot of torque.

If only I could make a Mercedes V8 fit my W123.

I bet you can make a MB V8 fit in a 123. Maybe a 4.5 or 3.8, or even a 4.2 or 5.6!

You guys remember this link...
http://www.badbenz.com
Sweet looking car, and would be fun to own if it had diesel badges on it:D

There was just a w123 on ebay not too long ago with a chevy 350.

The Warden,

The 302 was one of the greatest small block Chevy configurations ever put on the road. Its short stroke, big bore combination made for an engine that could run high RPM's with reasonable reliability, if not pushed too far and taken care of correctly.

The '67 Z28 was based on a small journal two bolt block. It was basically an overbored 283. In '68 it was a large journal, four bolt, 350 block with the special, large journal 3" stroke crank.

HP to Cubic inch was right at 1:1.

Have a great day,

Try also johnscars.com. They have kits to convert Jags to American power.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL

True, chevy did made a kick but hp to c.i. 302, but not widely advertised.