Don Terrill’s Speed-Talk

SchmidtMotorWorks wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 1:57 pm

prairiehotrodder wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 1:30 pm 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.

Kevin Johnson wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 11:44 am https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W201

Actually a 240D is a W123 model.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W123

Mercedes of that era are built like tanks. Mercedes and a Vega have nothing in common in terms of chassis stiffness. Years ago there was a guy on the East Coast doing 5.0 Ford conversions to these cars and Volvos of the era. Being it's a California car and assuming you would still have to pass an emissions test, a nice combo would be a EFI Ford 5.0 and matching AOD or T5.
One big plus for the 5.0 Ford swap is the oil pan matches the Merc crossmember closely enough so that you don't have to modify the pan or the crossmember.

I knew a guy that had a olds 307 in the w106 body. All stock and ran good , decent performance and engine outlived the car.

There is a world of powertrains out there, the buick 215 is a nice engine but as mentioned so is the buick v6 from the grand national. Even a 305 chevy with od trans will run very nice.

Chevyfreak.

Chris_Hamilton wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 2:44 pm ...

Kevin Johnson wrote: ↑Fri Jan 10, 2020 11:44 am https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W201

Actually a 240D is a W123 model.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W123

...

Yes, I know (I had a W126 diesel and still have a straight six petrol). The idea is to get a powerplant from a similar vintage -- the Cosworth engine was in the W201. I have a 2.6 I6 block here from an enthusiast swapping in a Cossie.

I am sure that, with effort, a reliable diesel, perfect for keeping a college student focused on studies, can be transformed into something with interesting and breathtaking insurance rates.

Used vegetable oil will make the diesel smell like french fries and be tantalizingly virtue-signaling in So-Cal to all the chicks.

Buy the biggest most expensive battery you can, new starter, fresh rubber, a new injection pump, vacuum lines and glow plugs.

The owner of my old employer in So-Cal drove a 240D.

The mountains/grades surrounding the basin will help keep him close to home and out of trouble.

Along Kevin’s lines, how about MB M110 2.7l gasoline straight six. It’s a two-valve DOHC engine and if the emission concerns do allow, one could hot rod it a bit.

You should be able to find a 4.8LS/4L60E for nothing to install.

2.2-2.4L GM Ecotec, good engine, good power, plentiful. Good availability of parts...

Like somebody else here said Ford V8. They are fairly narrow. A nice 5.0 with the 5 speed would be great fun. Or auto.

nissan rb25det

There are literally millions of Hoopties out there - a 3800 V6 is a great, long life engine.

Or, play it differently and find a an old 240/260/280Z engine since they are basically a japanese version of a Merc straight six.

Since it's CA, what kind of emissions does it need to meet?

@ Almost 3600 lbs stock, I would think you would want a very large 4 cyl (2.7 - 2.9 L) at minimum, but those won't be available with a carb...
A V6 (3.4 - 4.3 L) could be reasonable all around, without overpowering a new driver(?).
Inline 6? 4.0 L Jeep engine is plentiful, cheap/reliable, for something different, if it will fit.....

Chevy 4.3 with the vortec heads and Edelbrock carb manifold probably make triple the original horsepower and could use older non computer controlled automatic with overdrive

Late model Camaro's have turbo 2.7 litre 4 cylinder and 8 speed automatic. Also base engine in C1500 trucks. Lots of torque and relatively cheap and available.

Ford 302 is a winner. Oil pan is going to clear the big x member

Are any of these V6 you guys mention aluminum or at least not heavy?

Are you talking 60 or 90 degree?

I think I have a Buick 215,and I don't think its stuck.im in Madison wi.will sell cheap.its complete with carb etc ,I think have to double check.