300 td - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

barndoor · #1 12-22-2002, 12:49 AM

I ran into a friend today that just finally killed his 1981 300TD non turbo.He wants to sell it and I plan on buying it because its cheap.He says it has a hole in the piston and liner is scored.Just over 300K daily driver car.Does anyone know if the liners are replacable in these? if not I was thinking of finding a wrecked sedan for the engine transplant or ???? any ideas on this subject appreciated.

rwthomas1 · #2 12-22-2002, 01:12 AM

If the car is in good condition and the price is right it certainly sounds doable. You could swap in a turbo motor, or even a turbo long-block and run it NA if you want. The best deal would be a wrecked/rusted/junked donor car with all the parts you need. Start searching! RT

barndoor · #3 12-22-2002, 01:27 AM

NA
naturally aspirated?
is the 300 non turbo engine the same as 300 turbo?
would the turbo engine running non turbo be any better?
I'd rather not have the turbo.

#4 12-22-2002, 02:12 AM

I think the transmissions are different for the turbo and non turbo cars. The transmission linkage is different as well. Your best bet may be to find a NA 300TD motor and swap it in, or find a 300TD turbo motor and trans and throw that in. You must get a 300TD Wagon engine as this motor has the hydraulic pump for the rear suspension, the head on the wagon is different to accomodate this. The sedan and coupe engines are identical in every way except for the head and pump.

leathermang · #5 12-22-2002, 11:24 AM

When they put the turbo on the 5 cyl they added cooling nozzels in the pan which direct oil at the base of the pistons for cooling... so one would not want to run a turbo on a 5 cyl not designed for it... they beefed up the bearings and lowered the compression a tiny bit also...

barndoor · #6 12-22-2002, 03:11 PM

thanks Guys for the information!

mikemover · #7 12-23-2002, 01:55 PM

Why would you not want a turbo? I would definintely look for a used turbo engine and tranny from another wagon to drop in there. There's no durability or reliability problems with the MB turbodiesels like there are with many other turbocharged engines. You would have to change the tranny as well...But if you got the car inexpensively enough, I think it would be worth it. There's a BIG difference in the performance of the turbo vs. non-turbo.

I have a good friend here in Atlanta that's very experienced with such engine swaps, and could help you find what you need, and give you the details on doing it properly...I can get you in touch with him if you'd like.

Mike

#8 12-27-2002, 08:58 AM

The liners are replaceable in those engines... But you have to remove the engine.. strip it down.. install the new liners and have them bored.. If thats all that happened to the engine .. you could replace the pistons, liners, rings, main and rod bearings.. check the cam.. grind the valves.. replace the valve guides.. Odds are good there is little wear on the crankshaft.. It would be some work.. you would end up with an engine that would go another 300000 miles.. buy a used one and you may or may not do as well... It would really depend on your time and how much you want to work on it.. The turbo engine has a milder cam so will not make as much power as the non turbo if ran non turbo.. However that would be the only effect.. it would Last as long.. However if looking for one.. I would just pick up a complete car and that way you get all the stuff if changing engines.. There are some in wrecking yards around.. You can go with any 5 Cyl Diesel..

Also one easy thing to do is to put an american Small block ford or chev in them.. Works out great.. Gearing is right.. there are adaptors to go to that tranny.. or go with an american tranny and adapt the front of the drive shaft to it.. Use all the rest of the Mercedes stuff.. that is power steering pump and heat system, Ect..... works great and not that much work.. Cost tons less....

Ken

mikemover · #9 12-27-2002, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Downing
Also one easy thing to do is to put an american Small block ford or chev in them.. Works out great.. Gearing is right.. there are adaptors to go to that tranny.. or go with an american tranny and adapt the front of the drive shaft to it.. Use all the rest of the Mercedes stuff.. that is power steering pump and heat system, Ect..... works great and not that much work.. Cost tons less....
Ken

I've seen that done a few times, although not to a wagon...and I'm sure it would be fun to drive...But I'm kind of a purist when it comes to MBs. The whole point of a Mercedes diesel car is the durability/reliability, right? Seems like a waste to drop an American engine in there, doesn't it?

lrg · #10 12-27-2002, 01:13 PM

I would second turbodiesel's comment about needing a wagon engine. Trying to retrofit a pump or convert the rear suspension will get into lots of money and/or problems fast. The good news is that there are lots of wagon engines out there. Don't "settle" for a sedan engine, you'll regret it.

#11 12-27-2002, 08:27 PM

If you are a purist then you should go with the engine that is in it and rebuild it... that is the only way the engine numbers will match...

However the turbo engine would make it a much nicer car to drive... you could pick up a 300 SD or 300 TDT or A 300DTurbo car that is wrecked and use the trans and engine and every thing else you need.. Changing the leveling pump over to any engine is minor work.. There is a lot of stuff different on the Turbo engine setup.. Eather way it will make a nice car... Picking up a 116 300SD makes it all easier as they had few smog things and were very straight forward.. After them it all got crazy...

If you take the time to rebuild the engine it will cost about 2500 bucks to 3500 bucks.. If the body and all are very nice that is cheap for a good ride that will last for years.... And parts are easy to come by... I feel the 300 engine with out the turbo is one of the best engines built... and one of the easy ones to keep up and keep running for years... Far less to work on over my 85 300TDT.. However I live in the high country and the turbo does help.. If you live in mostley flat country there is really little reason to have a turbo as the normal engine gets around great... The only real thing to think about is if the rest of the car is really good and do you want to do all that work..

Ken

lrg · #12 12-27-2002, 08:48 PM

Ken,
I'm not sure about it being easy to add the leveling pump. I may be wrong but I think the head on the wagon engines has a different casting that allows the pump to be bolted on and driven internally. I'm sure it's possible to figure out a way to fit it on sedan engines but if you're looking for a new/used engine why noy just look a bit longer and find a wagon engine and avoid the hassle? There ought to be a couple of decent turbo wagon engines out there somewhere. My 2c.

#13 12-27-2002, 10:07 PM

Irg

I think you are right... There were a lot of normal engines around with a 4 bolt plate over the idle sprocket in the head and those could be changed easy.. However looking at a friends SD I can see there is no cover over the idle sprocket so no way to install the pump...

About the only easy way to get around that would be to go with air shocks..
Ken