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Old 03-16-2001, 03:41 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 117
Hi, all.
I thought I'd share this with you folks, in case you're thinking about doing the same as I did ("need more power" is a common thought among owners of older G's).
Some of you may recollect my making inquiries in preparation for an engine swap. It's done, and I just got it back from the shop. It feels terrific, noticeably stronger, but I'll wait for a few thousand miles of proper breakin before I go for a timed acceleration run to compare to my old engine.
Some details to share: I had been using my Gelaendewagen (1985 280GE/LWB) to tow my boat -- but going up the steep highway grades to the mountain lakes of Vermont/New Hampshire was something of an ordeal for my old, stock ~150 hp engine (the G, alone, weighs 6,000 lbs, and then add my boat and trailer, and all our vacation gear); and with 100,000 mi, oil consumption was a bit high, too. the engine, btw, is an M110.994, detuned (as all G's were of that era) to run on lousy gasoline in third-world countries, and so had low compression pistons (a modest 8:1) and correspondingly mild cams.
I had thought of swapping with a V-8 (e.g., 560 M117), but that would have involved major changes to my engine compartment (mounts, accessories such as A/C compressor and P/S, etc.). So after considering my options, I decided to do a "long block" replacement (completely rebuilt/reconditioned "innards") that was built to Euro "car", and some custom, specifications (extra high compression pistons [ca. 9.25:1], hotter camshafts, etc.). Regular M110.987 280SEL engines have 185 hp with 9:1 pistons -- with my special-ordered, slightly higher compression pistons (9.25:1) and some polishing of ports and stuff, I'm probably at the 190+ hp range (maybe even 200 hp?). Since I always used premium fuel anyway (I've got this notion, true or not, that they put more detergent and other good stuff in premium gas), this new requirement that I have to use premium from now on is a "non-issue" to me.
I had my local MB dealership do most of the work -- engine rebuilding was done by a MB engine specialty shop (at a fraction of the price that my dealer wanted), but my dealership nevertheless agreed to take care of removal, installation, etc. The original flywheel and oil sump's pan had to be transferred to the new engine (these are unique to G's and the shop didn't have those parts. Otherwise, the new long block was built up of fully inspected parts (head, block, etc.). Also, my fuel injectors (tested in a chamber) were examined and still marginally good, but I chose to change them as well.
Naturally, since the engine is virtually the same on the outside (standard M110 double cam engine), there were no problems with reinstallation -- I still can't imagine how the mechanics kept track of every nut and bolt so that none are left over :-). BTW, such engine work is real easy on the G, because when the radiator and A/C are removed, taking out a horizontal support lets you pull the engine almost straight out.
Prices: Arond $5,000 for the long block and almost $2,000 for the labor (removal/reinstallation of not only the engines but also all the parts that were stripped off and reinstalled from a "long block").
[for those not familiar with the term, a "long block" is an engine with the heads (and everything inside such as timing chain and gears, cams, crankshafts, flywheel, etc.) still intact, but without fuel systems, water pumps, accessory drives (A/C, P/S, Alternator), or distributor/ignition system.]
Time (for a good break-in) will tell if this is worth it, but I can already feel a little more "pep". I'll keep you all posted.

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