W123 Diesel?

I just got offered a '79 300TD for $150. It has a title and is in decent shape (Rip in the driver's seat, cracked dash) and a dead engine. How hard is it to swap a turbo diesel in or should I rebuild a 283 I got for free and drop it in? Also are there any handling parts out there for a W123?

You really should send that south to Tallahassee. . I think a 283 in there would be fun!! pics of the build or it didn't happen.

If V8 swap happens the Yugo is getting done first.

It would be easier to put the diesel in than swap in a 283.

No handling parts that I know of. I have always wanted to make something like this:

Check out this one someone posted on craigslist.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/2903135905.html

The proper swap if you are going to go gas is to find a m110 euro engine, 185hp. If you can find the engine attached to the very rare 5speed it would be a hell of a swap. I'd personally just put a used running diesel engine in then run it on whatever oil you can find.

benzbaron wrote: Check out this one someone posted on craigslist. http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/2903135905.html

That is awesome. I wish I had $3500 for it.

I know 180bhp shouldn't be hard to get out of a OM617 turbodiesel but then the price shots up.

benzbaron wrote: Check out this one someone posted on craigslist. http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/2903135905.html The proper swap if you are going to go gas is to find a m110 euro engine, 185hp. If you can find the engine attached to the very rare 5speed it would be a hell of a swap. I'd personally just put a used running diesel engine in then run it on whatever oil you can find.

Goddamn. I berkeleying hate this forum.

How about an OM606?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24afjVqm2Uw

Love that wagon!

benzbaron wrote: Check out this one someone posted on craigslist. http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/2903135905.html The proper swap if you are going to go gas is to find a m110 euro engine, 185hp. If you can find the engine attached to the very rare 5speed it would be a hell of a swap. I'd personally just put a used running diesel engine in then run it on whatever oil you can find.

If that was local, it would already be in my driveway.

As long as you don't have to rebuild the engine just swapping another diesel would be easier. Screw rebuilding MB 6xx diesel engines, too damn expensive and whats up with the rope seal rear main seal?

I think the 283 would be alot cooler though.

benzbaron wrote: Check out this one someone posted on craigslist. http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/2903135905.html The proper swap if you are going to go gas is to find a m110 euro engine, 185hp. If you can find the engine attached to the very rare 5speed it would be a hell of a swap. I'd personally just put a used running diesel engine in then run it on whatever oil you can find.

Oh... my... god...

Past experience says stay really, really far away... but I want it anyway...

93EXCivic wrote: I just got offered a '79 300TD for $150. It has a title and is in decent shape (Rip in the driver's seat, cracked dash) and a dead engine. How hard is it to swap a turbo diesel in or should I rebuild a 283 I got for free and drop it in? Also are there any handling parts out there for a W123?

My experience with those cars is that they're painfully slow—the turbodiesels less so, but still slow. And I didn't have a very good experience running veggie oil; I don't recommend it unless that's what you like spending your free time in a garage stinks like used fryer grease.

If you're getting the car for $150, why bother tracking down an engine when you have one for free? Any of the diesel engines means the car is still slow. I say rebuild that 283 and swap it in. Then you'll own a W123 that actually gets out of its own way.

As for handling, just enjoy the cushy cruiser that it is. Stately, but with lots of suspension travel. Maybe rallycross?

Alan Cesar wrote: If you're getting the car for $150, why bother tracking down an engine when you have one for free? Any of the diesel engines means the car is still slow. I say rebuild that 283 and swap it in. Then you'll own a W123 that actually gets out of its own way. As for handling, just enjoy the cushy cruiser that it is. Stately, but with lots of suspension travel. Maybe rallycross?

I can get a 180bhp out of the engine without spending much money at all. I am planning on using it as a parts runner/ cruiser. Lower it a bit and that is about it.

So have you bought it yet? The next post should be pictures of it in your driveway.

EvanB wrote: So have you bought it yet? The next post should be pictures of it in your driveway.

This. That car's worth three times that in scrap value alone. At the very least it's a quick buck.

If it has a 3rd row seat you can probably make a profit by selling that and still have a full car.

EvanB wrote: So have you bought it yet? The next post should be pictures of it in your driveway.

I have first dibs on it. The guy is a friend who is closing up his European repair shop and the guy that owns the MB left it there a long time ago and said he could have. So he is trying to get the title from the owner.

Yes yes a million times yes.

I'd probably just drop in another diesel and call it done.

This one was mine. Bought for $900, put a windshield in it and drove it for a bit and then sold it for ~$1200 I think when the glow plugs went out in the middle of winter.

It did a great job towing motorcycles around. You could maybe set it up to tow the spitfire on a light trailer.

Also, check for rust under the battery tray. It doesn't matter at all for that price but if you have water leaking into the passenger floorboard that is where it is likely coming from.

I had an '84 300d turbo as my first car. Yes it was slow. Some guys add a w2a intercooler and turn the fuel up for about 180hp. The 240d's 4 speed manual can be swapped in, too. I wanted to try a phase change intercooler as the packaging is tight without a crossflow head. Adding the later 6 cyl diesels can be good for 400 hp with the right parts.

Make sure the wagon's self leveling suspension is in good shape (if equipped).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWCmfpFOC3A&feature=related

What? No LS swap?

Alan Cesar wrote:

93EXCivic wrote: I didn't have a very good experience running veggie oil; I don't recommend it unless that's what you like spending your free time in a garage stinks like used fryer grease.

You were doing it wrong Alan. Granted, on a hot summer day my garage smells like veggie oil but it's not that bad. And, on average I spend maybe an hour a month in the garage, and not much time collecting it. My fuel bill comes to less than $200 a year. I'll put up with a little stink for that.