Swapping Engines

We began the search for a bigger and better engine for our 230 S.

A 1970 2.8-liter, single-overhead cam engine from a European Mercedes coupe? Don’t mind if we do.

This car is a bit of a hotrod, and the original engine had been ridden hard and put away wet. So began the search for a bigger and better engine.

Our buddy Al Taylor had just what we needed: a 1970 2.8-liter, single-overhead cam engine from a European Mercedes coupe.

Dimensionally, this engine was the same. It also offered another half a liter of displacement and at least 30-40 more horsepower. Higher compression and seven main bearings (versus five) is also plus. The fact that the cylinders all read 180-185 pounds of compression was a very good thing, as our original engine ranged from 90-150 pounds of compression across the cylinders.

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Comments
Harv1954
Harv1954 New Reader
2/15/17 10:12 a.m.

Just received my latest issue of Grassroots Motorsports and read the column which contemplates racing the Fintail in Lemons Events. I think it should be preserved, the "Rambler Mercedes" is an underappreciated model but maybe this youtube of the Mercedes race car recreation will be inspiring. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HJ8j8JUZ1w&t=289s

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