is this possible? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

j shepardson · #1 07-05-2006, 04:23 AM

Hi everyone, This might sound a tad crazy but,I was just curious if it is possible to hook up a non MB transmission to a MB engine? such as a GM th300 ? anyone know of a conversion kit or something?
I have the most aggravating car in the world a Jag (which part of the routine maintnance is replacing the head gasket every 85-100K) and I was thinking about dropping in the most reliable engine in the world something from MB.
I would use the MB transmission only they are a little tall to fit the tranny hump.
I was actually thinking about using an 83' 300D 5 cyl engine convert the Jag to diesel. or a V6
Any thoughts?

Jeff

cmac2012 · #2 07-05-2006, 04:29 AM

I've never done a swap of non-original engine or tranny into anything -- I've heard you have to be well tooled up to pull it off. But from what I can gather, I'm under the impression that it's a lot easier to put in a stock engine/tranny combo -- IOW, don't just put in a new engine, put its stock tranny in with it. Much easier to have a driveline adapted or remade with the back half OEM and the front half stock to your new tranny, than to adapt a bell housing.

t walgamuth · #3 07-05-2006, 08:35 AM

waht year is the jag?

the newer trannies have computer controls so swapping is not what it once was.

if the car is old enough to be all mechanical and vac controlled you can just use an adapter and hook it up.

probably though if you want benz reliability you should get the jag running really well and sell it before something breaks again and buy a benz.

tom w

Jim B. · #4 07-05-2006, 01:26 PM

There is a reputable fellow in Texas who has been putting GM 350 engines and turbo hydramatice transmissions into Jaguars for many years and his business is thriving; his bread and butter business comes especially from the XJ6 and XJ 12 sedans

He writes an amusing, long newsletter you can read in Hemmings Motor News, and that might be a good place to look for more information

I think his business is called John's Cars or something like that (sorry I don't have the website)

Hatterasguy · #5 07-05-2006, 02:23 PM

I like Jag's a lot, and I hate seeing them hacked up. You make it sound like it blows a head gasket once a week. They are not that bad, once in a while but not that often.

What year is it? The mid 90's XJ6's are pretty good. By 1995-97 they were very well sorted.

sixto · #6 07-05-2006, 05:34 PM

It's www.johnscars.com. His article in the Jag section of Hemmings is worth the subscription. If you listen to him for too long you'll ditch the Jag and ride a train

Sixto

j shepardson · #7 07-06-2006, 03:43 AM

Hi everyone,
The Jag I have is an 85' XJ6 ser III. which yes, is a popular model for dropping in a GM engine.
I'm really not intrested in fitting a GM engine in it.
I'm more or less looking to do something unique in the future if I decide to keep it, such as running a MB engine in it, but an MB transmission just won't fit
I just redid the head gasket, installed a newly remanned head in it, and a bunch of other things.
Now to me there is no better car than a Benz even with all their little quarks.
And I was thinking about rescuing my old engine from the scrap yard.
I love the body style of these XJ6 III's, but hate the Lucas electronics and the cast block with Aluminum head, that was a doomed idea from the get go.
The only other thing I don't like about these cars and it's not engine related is changing the rear brake rotors which involve's removing the entire rear axle, but that's something I can live with. after all the rotors usually have a very long life span.
The 300 d I totalled (rest her soul) has the most reliable engine in it and a few days before my accident she turned 500K.
I was supposed to take Christine in for my badge approval the next day.
I just hate the thought of that perfect engine going to ruin in a junk yard.
Anyways that's all my thoughts for now, and thank you for the comments
Jeff

Hatterasguy · #8 07-06-2006, 11:31 PM

I grew up ridding in my grandmothers 1986 XJ6, it was red with a tan interior. Purchased new in 1986, I think they traded in the V12 Jag for that one. Lots of good memories. I was very young I don't remember if they had problems with it, kept it for about 10 years though.

Shame to see whats happend to them now.

t walgamuth · #9 07-07-2006, 12:18 AM

are you sure the benz tranny is bigger than the gm? i would have guessed the opposite.

tom w