I asked this before but had no response? Why? Was I asking the wrong question? I cannot be because thats why its a question...anyways----

I am taking an engine out of one 83' 300SD and will be placing it in another w126 300SD. I was wondering what should I do to the engine from valve job, oil change, any hard stuff I should know, difficault to find without really knowing the engien well. All information is helpful. What should I replace on the engine. I was planning on buying parts that really truly should be replaced just for saftey.

SHould I get new engine mounts, what brake pads are the best for these viechels? Please take your time to give as much information as possible, I will greatly appricate this! thank you for your time Mercedes and Diesel lovers...

http://www.angelfire.com/ill/opaldynasty/

Gaskets and oil seals on 20 yr old vehicle is what I'd be thinkin..... especially at/near the turbocharger, oil filter mounting and whatnot. Otherwise at least check for looseness of every exposed nut and bolt. When engine and tranny mounts are played, its really obvious as they crack and crunch to smitherines.

And while you've got the recipient car boned of the engine, why dont you power wash or steam clean the engine bay and put some rustoleum spray paint in matching color over anything that looks like potential rust spot.

Also a good time to examine steering and suspension gear for torn boots and bad suspension bushings.

Nobody has replied to your valve job inquiry because you havent provided enough information such as mileage and history of the engine...... If the donor engine has got much more than 300k without ever having valves reseated or the chain replaced - then I'd say yeah sure go ahead and tweak the valves, guides and seals. Just pull the head and haul it down to the machine shop for cleanup..... but do NOT let them plane the head or remove metal unnecessarilly - this can totally screw the engine by raising compression beyond tolerances.

Otherwise if the donor car has got something like 150k miles on it, I'd just install the engine clean without fixing anything that isnt broke.


RARE, very rare is repaint any kinda long-term improvement over original MB laquer. I once owned an old black benz that looked like dirty schoolroom chalkboard..... sure enough it compounded out perfectly - removing maybe 3 of 7 layers of MB laquer on hood, top, fender surfaces and trunklid. You can litterally buff these cars NEW - if they havent been repainted or the paint hasnt checked. Hell, you can even get original MB touch up laquer in its original color and gob it over primed rusty spots and after compounding and buffing it may not be noticeable at all. Repainting the entire car could be costly and might not last more than 5-6 yrs.

Hey thanks a lot for that long and very helpful information. I like the machine shop idea thanks for the warning of the high compression.

I was thinking about what you said when I should not repaint the whole car. But the thing is there is four rust spots all on the bottom of the doors at the edge. Pretty bad too.. Like almost deep. I was thinking of cutting some stainless sheets of metal and welding it after removing the old rust and shaving it smooth, after that bando where needed and paint it black. If you still think I should not then please tell me what I can do to fix those really bad rust spots?

Because if I do weld the new stainless peices then I should just repaint the car.

Should I place some photos of my Engine and you can tell me form what you see, if anything ells shoudl be looked at and replaced? thanks once again!