Hi, I have a 1979 300sd that has suffered catastrophic engine failure. It needs a heart transplant. I am seeking a motor that is in good shape, otherwise I will be looking to rebuild. I am located in Florida. Please let me know if you need more information.

I've got a 1980 300SD (which means +10hp versus 1979) that was in an accident. Engine is great; car looked new from being cared for and garage-stored most of it's life. I forget the mileage but it's a bit under 200k I think. I intend on fixing the car, but maybe would consider parting it out instead if there's a good enough offer on the engine...but I won't let it go cheap.

You can find a .951/952 for less but this is a great engine if you want a genuine W116 part. You could also look for a running rust-laden parts car - there's a $600 SD in New Jersey that's been on eBay that you might get lucky with, and similar deals come up on Craigslist from time to time.

so does a .951 bolts in? I am disappointed I won't have the original motor so at this point what does it matter if I get .951, probably easier to find one with less miles and better condition.

I'm all the way down in Florida, otherwise your motor sounds good. How long has it been sitting?

The stuff on the top of the engine, etc. is different and I'm not sure how much can just be swapped over, but it shouldn't be too hard to make it work. I really don't know what's involved, though. The .951/952's have more complex plastic (often broken) vacuum stuff, etc.

The .951/952 are 125hp, the 1980 .950 is 120hp, and the 1978-79 .950 is 110hp. So if you can make a .951/952 work, you'll get the most power from that configuration.

Three months, but after replacing a tie rod the car is still drivable so every now and again in daylight I take it for a spin. No headlights/bumper/fender and looks like crap, though. (I was hit by a truck on the driver-side fender)

Still looking!

Hi I have a spare 84 sd engine with very low miles but its a little pricy-I have been hangin on to it. it bolts right in with your mount arms. its in N Texas

Sounds good. Again I don't mind using that model but i dont want this to turn into a big swap project having to deal with wiring changes, hoses, etc. I have very little experience with this motor and Mercedes in general. I've done the MR2 v6 swap in the past but I just dont have the time to get into all of the extra work. What can you tell me? I'm ok with shipping, and what are you asking for it?

The only thing you will need to swap is the upper oil pan ( which is smooth on the W116 version to avoid the subframe).

I just sold a 617.951 about the time you started looking...in Florida.

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

@rs899 thanks for rubbing that in!!! haha I'm sure I'll find one soon enough. I appreciate the info. So upper oil pan and everything else is the same?

I have a W116 '79 turbo motor that starts right up, idles perfect and has lots of power. It's actually faster than my 300SD I'm driving right now. The only thing is it has stuck/possibly broken rings in a few cylinders. It has a new primer pump, recent valve adjustment and IP timing.

It would be way cheaper to do rings on this than to totally rebuild your engine. The last W116 engine I bought, I drove 500 miles to get.

I'm in Lakeland, FL. let me know if your interested.

Here's an amazingly cheap possibility:

'79 300SD for sale in upstate NY

Bump, still looking!

Where you located?

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[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.

central florida

bump