W114 -W108 interchange ability ?

[jgranzier]

Gentlemen

I d like to swap a running motor from the 114 to the 108

It's a 6cylinder w/2carbs -m130? (both cars seem to have same motor)

The 71,114 body 250 4door sedan has a nice motor -no smoke starts right up
But transmission slips in 2nd gear.

The 71 ,108 body 280 s 4door sedan has been sitting for 26 years! The motor overheated ,previous owner disassembled motor and there it sat for 26years.

So I m thinking the motor swap should be fairly straightforward -my gamble here is the 108 's transmission -no info available I m assuming it was a engine issue and 26 years ago the transmission was fine -a guess .The 108 has 90,000 miles(based on odometer today and maintenance records from 1985)

So guys ,what's your guess on this transmission s condition after sitting all these years ? Any suggestions for preparing this transmission?

Also ,what other parts /pieces might interchange from the 114 to 108?


Thanks

[Mike D]

There actually might be a few differences between the engine blocks. Nothing internal but I have a '74 280S's engine in my '74 280C. This is the M110 and not the M130 but the differences are probably similar. Just a couple extra brackets on the left side of the engine, a few differences in bolt hole locations, different transmission rear mounts, etc. Nothing which can't be dealt with.

[jgranzier]

Mike
Thanks
I was hoping the engines were the same , and would bolt right to the w108 's transmission.

I 'll check for numbers on the side of engine block.

I 'll have the cars side by side come this saturday.I m quite certain they are both m130 engines with single overhead came / dual carbs

[alabbasi]

I suspect that the oil pans will be different.

[jgranzier]

Al
will I need the oil pan from the 108 ?

is it the shape of the pan - better said is the bolt pattern the same but the shape different?

[alabbasi]

You can probably swap the pans out. The gasket the same for both models but the W114 lists a pan with a W123 part #. There is no part listed for W108.

[JimFreeh]

I have a parts car that has an injected M130 out of a W108 placed in the W114 coupe body.

Looks like a direct drop, with the exception of the water pump. Need the short one for the W114.

If you've got all the parts from the disassembled W108, then you should be a able to mix and match as required to make the swap. The inline engines of this period all have the same bellhousing configuration.

Jim

[801mbz]

The motor mount arms are not the same but are interchangeable.

[Adler]

[QUOTE=JimFreeh;2791190]I have a parts car that has an injected M130 out of a W108 placed in the W114 coupe body.

Looks like a direct drop, with the exception of the water pump. Need the short one for the W114.


130 ;They do drop in straight ; no changes except a engine mount swap

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[jgranzier]

Thanks
so the 114 with short water pump should be no issue then ?

Any advice / nuances for engine removal ?
- take tranny out as well or just motor ?

Dont have engine hoist yet , looking to buy off craigslist or use boom from bucket truck.

Any thoughts on other items that might interchange?
front disc / calipers ?
i wish the interior was a "swappable " item - this 114 has a perfect interior
light gray / no rips tears very nice .( the 108 not so nice )


Thanks

[cth350]

pretty much nothing else will interchange. Except maybe an ignition component or two and the rims/tires/hubcaps. Wholly different brake system designs, different suspension designs, interior, trim, glass, steel body, etc.

The 280S has an older edition of the M130 compatible transmission. The tail shaft and drive shaft connection are different. If you need to use the W114 transmission in the 280S, you will need to also swap the drive shaft or figure out how to reconfigure the tail shaft. A 280SE 6 cylinder car would provide a suitable drive shaft.

-CTH

[jgranzier]

Gentlemen
We have made some progress and have a couple of questions.

1.Fuel lines - I see 3 lines: 2 for gas,one carries fuel from tank to a engine bay mounted electric fuel pump (looks aftermarket ) as mechanical pump has been by passed and a 2nd appears to be a return line ( upper most).
My question / concern is the clear tubing that makes up what looks to be a 3rd line . see pictures.
what is it for? The w114 had the line in place and broken in 2 places ! all kinds of oily residue ALL OVER !

The w108 engine block ( dead ) has a plug in place .
see picture

So my question is , what is its function ? do I need it ? Can I just take the plug from dead w/108 block and place it in donor motor ?

Thanks

[Mike D]

I think, and I'm probably wrong, the "oil" line might have been for an external oil cooler. The M115 I have in my wife's car was a donor engine from who knows what. It had the same line broken off and I replaced it with a plug. That was in '96 and no problems. I'm guessing it's not too critical.

You should have three lines leading to the fuel tank. Supply, return and vent. The vent is, or was, usually a hard plastic line inside the engine bay area and at the rear over the sub frames. It is steel tubing under the car.

It's a bit late now but the easiest way to do an engine-tranny swap from the car is to, remove the hood, radiator, exhaust, lines etc., CUT the front radiator supports with a sawzall at the beginning of the arch leading from the front fenders, slip the engine out and in and then weld the upper cross piece into place, grind and repaint. Sooo much easier not having to hang the engine at such a ridiculous angle. You can do the swap in this fashion without removing the hood by removing the grill but I've always removed the hood.

Oh yeah, don't forget to remove the hood release cable BEFORE you cut the upper cross piece. Don't ask.

[jgranzier]

Thanks Mike
We re on the same page , I chopped that piece off donor car and pulled it straight out .
Yes it would seem like a vent of sorts , as the oily residue was rather thick at the 2 broken spots on w114 frame .

Im determined to clean up engine best I can and eliminate any possible leaks.


- any insight on removal of hand cranks ?
both the window and vent knobs - nothing obvious to me at first glance
- "c" clip of sorts ?

[Mike D]

Remove the center plastic cap on the vent knob. There's a Phillips head screw underneath.

Feel between the window crank and the door card. You'll feel a spring "tab" protruding. Push the tab through the metal crank and the insert comes out. If I remember right it is a slotted end which holds the crank onto the handle.