Chevy engine in 240D
George Trussell
has had a lazy shift from second to third for 150,000 miles. The engine
is getting harder and harder to start in cold weather which is a problem
since I live in Calgary. The body, interior and other mechanicals are
in perfect shape and I love the car, but the cost of rebuilding the
engine and transmission are quite high and it would still be slow and
unreliable on -10 to -40 degree days (like in a ski parking lot or
anywhere without a plug). I am a chevy hot rodder from way back and I
am getting the itch to build a strong chevy small block.
I am looking for a source of engine and transmission mounts for this
swap or all of the good reasons why I shouldn't do it besides never
letting any purist look under the hood. I would also need a 570E emblem
(just kidding).
Thanks in advance for the flames, but I can see no other option except
for selling the vehicle for much less than I know it is worth.
JohnC507
sort of a BMW gobbler. Mine is a custom installation. However, I have seen an
add, out of N.C . I think, for installation of small blocks in Mercedes. The
fellow will sell the engine and transmission mounts, or he will do the entire
conversion. I will run down the ad and provide further information later..
JohnC
JohnC507
etc for the Chevrolet conversion.
The phone number is 1-888-262-2122. He sells a conversion kit for $495 that
includes the mounts. He will do a conversion for labor of $2,400. If he
supplies a low mileage LT1 small block with 4 speed elect. trans the out the
door price is $6,000-6500. If you have specific questions on the conversion in
my car I will try to answer. I run a 350 with a 400 3 speed trans. in a l981
300TD.
JohnC
JohnC
Casey Thompson
THE HORROR!! Why put a high performance engine in a car that weighs nearly
4000 lbs?? Besides, the diesel would've outlasted the LT1 anyway.
-=CaSeY=-
JohnC507 wrote in message <19981020233344...@ng83.aol.com>...
Satish Tummala, M.D.
lbs.; for speed and hp, cheap serviceability.
Satish
stum...@voyager.net
1989 560SEC AMG
MBCA
ncl...@my-dejanews.com
->
-> THE HORROR!! Why put a high performance engine in a car that weighs nearly
-> 4000 lbs?? Besides, the diesel would've outlasted the LT1 anyway.
->
-> -=CaSeY=-
Yes, but think of a 4 cylinder 67bhp (I think, well at least it feels that
way) pulling the same. I am a proud owner of an '81 240D with 118k miles. I
absolutely love this car. For a "family" sedan that is 17 years old its
handling is phenomenal; the chasis is carved out of stone. I easily outhandle
my brother's Pontiac 1991 "family" sedan, but I am slaughtered by his
accelaration.
The accelaration qualities of this car can be dangerous on some highway
entrance ramps(Northern/Southern State) here on Long Island. I have to have
considerable distance & a backseat driver to help me time my entrance. I have
come dangerously close to getting rear-ended.
In short, I too am thinking of giving my MB a serious dose of horsepower.
Please post any information regarding kits, upgrades, suppliers et cetera.
Regards,
Nelson Claros
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ncl...@my-dejanews.com
answer. I run a 350 with a 400 3 speed trans. in a l981 - 300TD. - JohnC
John -
Do you know if there is a manual transmission option? I have a '81 240D and am
thinking of adding a 350 engine. However, I(and my wife) like to use manual
transmissions.
Did you notice a change in the cars handling characterisctics? I would
imagine that the spring rates and other suspension components were
specifically designed with 4 cyl diesel in mind.
To those who consider this exchange sacriledge, it is. I know that these
changes will effect the geometry of the vehicle as well as it's reliability.
I do not pretend to be better at engineering than the MB engineers :)
Regards,
NelsonC
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George Trussell
Thanks for the reply. I tried the number that you gave me, but I got a message
that the number was out of service. If you have any other contact information I
will try to track this guy down.
Besides all the standard questions one would ask about an engine swap, there are a
few that are specific to this one. I am going to give you a list of questions
ranked in the order most important to me. Any information that you can give me,
especially on the first few questions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
1) My 240D has and your 300TD had a vacuum pump on the engine to run the door
locking and climate control systems. What are you using for a vacuum source? I
noticed in the IMPCO catalog that there is an electric vacuum pump listed for the
300SD that I was planning to use.
2) Can the stock Mercedes shift linkage be modified slightly to work with the Chevy
transmission?
3) Did you have to change your front coil springs or were the two engines close
enough to the same weight?
4) I you are using the mercedes rear end and suspension, how is it holding up and
do you have the hydraulics working on the automatic leveling system?
5) Other lesser concerns include cooling capacity of the stock radiator,
speedometer cable, dash gauges, drive shaft, accelerator linkage and exhaust
system.
Thanks again. Talk with you later.
George
PS - I had a 1979 240TD European model with a standard transmission and a manual
sun roof that I sold about five years ago because of some rust and a minor rear end
collision. I think that I prefer the wagon to the sedan, but the sedan that I have
is very special to me because we have been so many places together.
JohnC507 wrote:
> I found the notes I made when talking to the fellow who sells the engine mounts
> etc for the Chevrolet conversion.
> The phone number is 1-888-262-2122. He sells a conversion kit for $495 that
> includes the mounts. He will do a conversion for labor of $2,400. If he
> supplies a low mileage LT1 small block with 4 speed elect. trans the out the
> door price is $6,000-6500. If you have specific questions on the conversion in
> my car I will try to answer. I run a 350 with a 400 3 speed trans. in a l981
> 300TD.
> JohnC
> JohnC
George Trussell
I agree with you. The acceleration on my 240D is so bad that my wife can't drive
the car. Driving a high mileage 240D is like playing a very interesting chess
game when it comes to entering an expressway or passing on a two lane mountain
road. I enjoy the game sometimes but my wife can't play at all. Every stoplight
that I stop at has the same flavor. I floor the accelerator when the light
changes and EVERYTHING passes me until I get up to speed, then I pass them back.
I drive fairly fast and I agree that the 240D although it does lean quite a bit in
turns, is very predictable and precise even in that attitude. I like driving long
distances on back roads fairly fast. The 240D does this pretty well but I think I
would have more fun overall if I had more power. Talk with you later.
George
ncl...@my-dejanews.com wrote:
> For a "family" sedan that is 17 years old its
> handling is phenomenal; the chasis is carved out of stone. I easily outhandle
> my brother's Pontiac 1991 "family" sedan, but I am slaughtered by his
> accelaration.
>
> The accelaration qualities of this car can be dangerous on some highway
> entrance ramps(Northern/Southern State) here on Long Island. I have to have
> considerable distance & a backseat driver to help me time my entrance. I have
> come dangerously close to getting rear-ended.
>
> Nelson Claros
Moooseboy
swap
Thanks jeff
JohnC507
the conversion done. It is a professional installation that a California MD
had done.>
>1) My 240D has and your 300TD had a vacuum pump on the engine to run the door
>locking and climate control systems. What are you using for a vacuum source?
>
to be fine. I have no trouble with the power brakes etc. I have the same
problems as everyojne else on the power locks.
>2) Can the stock Mercedes shift linkage be modified slightly to work with the
>Chevy
>transmission?
This is no problems and the Mercedes shifter hooks up and operates the 3 speed
chev. transmission with no changes. You have to fabricate a connecting rod
from the transmission to the mercedes shifter.
>
>3) Did you have to change your front coil springs or were the two engines
>close
>enough to the same weight?
>
I think the chevrolet engine and transmission weigh no more than the mercedes
engine and transmission. My car has stock springs and shocks in the front. The
ground clearance appears stock. It handles like its on rails. With some real
power you truly appreciate just how well these cars handle. I run 16 inch
ronal wheels with 205X55X16 tires in the summer
.>4) I you are using the mercedes rear end and suspension, how is it holding up
>and
>do you have the hydraulics working on the automatic leveling system?
i have a custom single piece drive shaft connected to a stock mercedes rear
axle.
It holds up well . My rear suspension has been modified to delete the mercedes
hydro system, install heavy duty springs and regular gas shocks.
>5) Other lesser concerns include cooling capacity of the stock radiator,
>speedometer cable, dash gauges, drive shaft, accelerator linkage and exhaust
>syst
I have a custom radiator. My gages were thrown out and a complete set of VDOs
installed. Here is the tip on the exhaust.
On the engine left side, drivers side, use the old chev. 283 rams horn exhaust
header, cut off the lower end, rotate it and weld it back on at an angle that
permist the exhaust pipes to be hooker up. On the on the other side, I do not
recognize the header, but have been told its out of a Chev. truck.
JohnMinahan
Nebraska
Del Johnson
a 4000 lb car?
Del Johnson
Casey Thompson wrote in message <70jr8a$m...@atlas.lcc.net>...
>WHA??
>
>THE HORROR!! Why put a high performance engine in a car that weighs nearly
>4000 lbs?? Besides, the diesel would've outlasted the LT1 anyway.
>
>-=CaSeY=-
>
Bnzmn600
performance, why don't you just buy that W123 body style Mercedes with an 280 E
or S gas engine or how about a nice 1981 W123 230E Euromodel???.
The part I don't understand is putting a chevy engine into a Mercedes
Benz....thats where I draw the line, I've seen one of those conversions ...it
was 1982 W126 380 SEL ..the guy never took care of the car, and when the timing
chain broke on him ..he couldn't afford to have the Benz engine fixed..so he
had some guy install a chevy engine into the car ...it hasn't even been a year
and car has already blown 3 chevy engines!!!.
Further I read in you guys posts something about $ 6,000 to $ 6,500 if somebody
converts the car for you ....HELLO!!! anybody home ???, a 1981 240D isn't even
worth that much in the first place...anybody who is getting ready to spend that
kind of money to have his Mercedes converted to a chevy ...should either go and
buy a new chevy or just buy a newer W123 Mercedes version ..maybe with a 5
cylinder turbo diesel engine.
Martin.
1974 107 450SL totally converted to a 1988 560 SL reason property tax.
1979 300D for sale.
Benz...@Erols.com or bnzm...@aol.com
AMG280
JohnC507
Look, you either get it or you don't. If you have diesel running brain and you
enjoy your stock mercedes that is just great. On the other hand there are a
few of use that like the idea of a mom and pop grocery getter sorta lookin car
that runs rings around the mustangs et al.
P.S. at the price of a 350 you can afford to blow one every now and then!
JohnC
Bnzmn600
Del Johnson
engine.
Del Johnson
Bnzmn600 wrote in message <19981024022704...@ng86.aol.com>...
JohnC507
>Yes I get it ....you haven't grown up yet!!
>
Now thats an interesting comment from someone with the handleBnzmn600. If your
handle connotes Your selection of wheels, and you are tooling around in a V12,
I suspect that you understand why someone would pop a chevy into a 123! Its
power, thats the deal, no excuses. If growing up means opting for diesel
power, I suspect I have "miles to go before I sleep"
JohnC
George Trussell
In defense of the 240D engine, I like it. It has given me good service. It is
absolutely trouble free and very very economical. You have however hit upon the
most important consideration. The vehicle is worth almost nothing to anyone else
in its present condition. I would rather burn it than sell it for what I could get
for it. I would be really stupid to rebuilt the engine and transmission and then
sell the car. There is not way that I could ever recover that investment. So why
not have fun with the best part of the car, the body, suspension, and interior.
This is not for everyone. I am a very good mechanic and like this sort of thing.
I would rather have an old classic sedan than buy a new car and I think the
economics of this project are good. You do what you like, I'm just looking for
good information.
Check out http:\\www.jagsthatrun.com
George
Bnzmn600 wrote:
> You guys claim you love that particular Mercedes so much but not the engine
> performance, why don't you just buy that W123 body style Mercedes with an 280 E
> or S gas engine or how about a nice 1981 W123 230E Euromodel???.
> The part I don't understand is putting a chevy engine into a Mercedes
Satish Tummala
ads in the Hemmings Motor News for used engines plus trans out of late model
W126 gas cars for around $2-3K.
Just my .02 cents worth,
AMG280
has nothing to do with maturity. And if you have ever drove a 240 diesel, you
have probably contemplated of putting a little briggs & stratton under the
hood with intentions of making MORE power than the stock engine. sure its
reliable as hell, but, come on. its a dog. live life on the edge a little.
Bnzmn600
Satish...but comes to think about it ..how about the 124 300E or D engine ??
wow I'll bet you the 5 cylinder 2.5 turbo out of a 1986 190D would work wonders
in a 123..what do you think Satish ??
Martin. Benz...@Erols.com
George Trussell
Thanks for an interesting suggestion. I have pretty much convinced myself that
some sort of swap is going to happen but I'm not very familiar with this
engine. It sounds like the right size and type and manufacturer. The main
reason I started thinking chevy small block was availability and price, plus I
thought that someone may have a kit with engine and transmission mounts.
In what years and in what vehicles was the MB 5.6L V8 used? Do you think this
swap has been done before? I'll pick up a Hemmings and take a look, but if you
have any additional information send it along. Talk with you later.
George
Satish Tummala
pulling that OM616 diesel engine and trans out of the 240D and putting in a
substitute, just put in the biggest beast you can find, the M117.968 5.6L
SOHC V8 engine will NOT disappoint any. The main this is this, the cost of
finding a 2.5 Turbo engine or a 3.0L I-6 from a W124 300E is roughly the
same as a used M117.968 or M117.965 5.0L engine. If you check, you'll even
notice that the added weight is not really that substancial vs. the power
increase and mainly the god of all cravings, the nearly 300 ft. lbs. of
torque that the 5.6L puts out. Just imagine that engine with the ride and
handling of a W123 sedan or coupe...
Hmmmmmm....