230CE - repowering with a 280. All help appreciated!
 

My coupe 230 4 cylinder motor is essentially a lost cause.
Available to me is a W123 280 engine transplant and EVERYTHING I might need to make the whole exercise worthwhile.I just need to ensure that I ask the seller for all the necessary bits and pieces.
The seller is a good bloke, and is happy to help me with this project.
We live $200 shipping distance apart - I'm hoping for a one wrapped pallet purchase.
I'm no Mechanic, but am ready to request the COMPLETE 280 motor, gearbox & driveshaft.
Please advise what else I might need so that I can avoid otherwise severe 'Darn I also need those bits' frustration.
I might even give this transplant a go myself - last time for me was about 25 years ago (English 1972 Ford Transit van V4 to V6).
I know you US guys have limited knowledge of the W123 230 motors, but am hoping that forum lurkers may also be able to chime in with some help here.
Cheers,
Dennis

i would suggest
 

you get the differential driveshaft and speedo too. you dont say what year the car and motors are. the closer to the same year the better. i dont know about electrical compatability but the closer to the same year the better fpr that. and if the brakes are different the heavier 280 might have bigger brakes. also you will want the radiator and the oil cooler if it is different on the 280 equipped car. and the exhaust.

is this the later 230 that is like the one that was put in the 190?

some other folks will chime in with electrical info.

good luck with your project.

tom w

Both are pre 1980 cars..
 

Cheers Tom. Cars at both sides of the transplant are pre 1980 (I'm cursing myself for not offering this info in my first post)
Can you tell me why the speedo. is also an item I need please?.

well
 

only if you are changing the diff because of different ratios. if the ratios are the same then you dont need to change the speedo or the diff.

you dont have to change the speedo or diff even if they are different but i would. generally with a larger engine the factory would fit a higher gear ratio so the engine turns less on the highway. this mitigates the extra fuel required by the larger engine and makes the car quieter at highway speeds.

if you are planning on drag racing, towing heavy loads or live in mountains, then you might keep the (presumably) lower gear that the 230 prob has.

tom w

Thanks for that. I'll pass on a diff. change, but the real thrust of my question is towards front suspension differences blah blah..all those things that could catch me out just when I'm spanner handed and starting to smile.
Can anyone refer me to a site (England?) that might have members who have done this engine transplant and thus first hand experience?