Engine swap ideas for a 1979 Mercedes 240D

[SchmidtMotorWorks]

Any suggestions for an engine and transmission swap candidate for a 240D?

My first thought was 215 Buick V8 but they are very scarce to find.
Next thought was 2300 Ford SOHC or Toyota 22R.

I am wondering if something more modern might be better. That said, I will probably make it carburetor even if it comes with EFI.

Was the quad4 ever used in a rear wheel drive?

[Kevin Johnson]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W201

[mag2555]

If you or whoever would be happy with 215 cubic inches of Buick power then why not 231 cubic inches of Buick V6 power, or while on the subject of V6s then why not a Chevy V6?

[Kevin Johnson]

I guess the BMW V12 won't fit, eh?

[BILL-C]

How about a 4.3 chevy v-6 and trans out of a 2 wheel drive pickup or s-10? It can be efi or carb. My s-10 was very dependable, had plenty of power, and had decent gas milage until body rotted away.

[CamKing]

2L Ford Zetec engine
They're cheap, and there's a lot of aftermarket parts available for them.

[Ollies930]

Why not a similar year Mercedes 230 or 250 engine? Least amount of custom fab as you can use all OEM stuff and engines should be readily available.

[Curtis Mc]

4g63?
GM Atlas family 4, 5, 6cyl?
2JZ?
2.3 Ecoboost?
SR20?

Back to diesel?
4BT?
VW 1.9? 2.0?

[prairiehotrodder]

how about a 350 / turbo 350. A pretty weird combo

[rp930]

Usually the bodies are too rusty to bother.

[SchmidtMotorWorks]

Usually the bodies are too rusty to bother.

Not this one. It was fashionable for doctors in Newport Beach to have these cars back in the 80s.
Then BMW became the new standard and this car sat in a garage since then.
It runs and drives like new but the diesel smell is nasty in so cal.
My 13 year old wants it so I am thinking about something that he could use when he is off to college, reliable or easy to fix.
Not wanting an engine that is too heavy.

[SchmidtMotorWorks]

Thanks for all the ideas, I have never looked at some of them, do that over the weekend.

[SchmidtMotorWorks]

how about a 350 / turbo 350. A pretty weird combo

I have seen small block ford conversions.
I worry that it would be like most V8 Vega conversions were. Too heavy for the chassis and too power ful for the drive train.

Best v8 Vega swap I ever saw was a 215. Coworker drove it daily for 10+ years.

[ptuomov]

Two ideas: first, how about not swapping the engine and instead adding a turbo and, second, how about the idea of EMP proofing the car in the true prepper spirit?

[dannobee]

Isn't the rover V8 just a refined/updated 215 cu in Buick?