Engine swap ideas for a 1979 Mercedes 240D

General engine tech -- Drag Racing to Circle Track

Moderator: Team

Chris_Hamilton
Pro
Pro
Posts: 316
Joined: Sun May 24, 2015 11:50 pm
Location:

Re: Engine swap ideas for a 1979 Mercedes 240D

Post by Chris_Hamilton »

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 :D
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.
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. :D 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.
Last edited by Chris_Hamilton on Fri Jan 10, 2020 2:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
High quality metal, body and paint work
http://www.spiuserforum.com/index.php?t ... inia.9030/
chevyfreak
Pro
Pro
Posts: 493
Joined: Sat Oct 04, 2014 4:23 am
Location: south africa johannesburg

Re: Engine swap ideas for a 1979 Mercedes 240D

Post by chevyfreak »

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.
Bowtie for life
Kevin Johnson
HotPass
HotPass
Posts: 9365
Joined: Tue Nov 22, 2005 5:41 am
Location:

Re: Engine swap ideas for a 1979 Mercedes 240D

Post by Kevin Johnson »

Chris_Hamilton wrote: Fri Jan 10, 2020 2:44 pm ...
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.
Driving Force Online: BREAKING NEWS—Ohio Governor Signs SEMA-Supported Vehicle Freedom Bill Into Law!
User avatar
ptuomov
Guru
Guru
Posts: 3587
Joined: Fri Aug 07, 2009 3:52 am
Location:

Re: Engine swap ideas for a 1979 Mercedes 240D

Post by ptuomov »

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.
Paradigms often shift without the clutch -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxn-LxwsrnU
https://www.instagram.com/ptuomov/
Put Search Keywords Here
dfarr67
Expert
Expert
Posts: 861
Joined: Sat Jul 27, 2013 7:14 pm
Location:

Re: Engine swap ideas for a 1979 Mercedes 240D

Post by dfarr67 »

You should be able to find a 4.8LS/4L60E for nothing to install.
CGT
Guru
Guru
Posts: 2063
Joined: Sun May 10, 2009 12:29 pm
Location:

Re: Engine swap ideas for a 1979 Mercedes 240D

Post by CGT »

2.2-2.4L GM Ecotec, good engine, good power, plentiful. Good availability of parts...
rp930
Pro
Pro
Posts: 227
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2013 11:47 pm
Location:

Re: Engine swap ideas for a 1979 Mercedes 240D

Post by rp930 »

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.
bentvalves
Expert
Expert
Posts: 537
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2016 3:37 pm
Location:

Re: Engine swap ideas for a 1979 Mercedes 240D

Post by bentvalves »

nissan rb25det
User avatar
Rick!
Expert
Expert
Posts: 529
Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2016 4:13 pm
Location:
Contact:

Re: Engine swap ideas for a 1979 Mercedes 240D

Post by Rick! »

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?
Daryl S.
Member
Member
Posts: 53
Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2011 2:22 pm
Location: Vancouver, BC

Re: Engine swap ideas for a 1979 Mercedes 240D

Post by Daryl S. »

@ 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.....
bobmc
Member
Member
Posts: 190
Joined: Tue Mar 10, 2009 10:39 am
Location: Atl

Re: Engine swap ideas for a 1979 Mercedes 240D

Post by bobmc »

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
User avatar
exhausted
Guru
Guru
Posts: 1261
Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:07 am
Location: Matthews, NC

Re: Engine swap ideas for a 1979 Mercedes 240D

Post by exhausted »

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.
Calvin Elston
Elston Exhaust
Matthews, NC 28104
346-704-4430
Blog: www.exhausting101.com
HDBD
Expert
Expert
Posts: 864
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2008 4:32 pm
Location: Northwest

Re: Engine swap ideas for a 1979 Mercedes 240D

Post by HDBD »

Ford 302 is a winner. Oil pan is going to clear the big x member
SchmidtMotorWorks
Vendor
Posts: 11003
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2005 2:30 am
Location: CA

Re: Engine swap ideas for a 1979 Mercedes 240D

Post by SchmidtMotorWorks »

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

Are you talking 60 or 90 degree?
Helping to Deliver the Promise of Flying Cars
jake197000
Expert
Expert
Posts: 546
Joined: Sun Mar 18, 2012 11:37 pm
Location:

Re: Engine swap ideas for a 1979 Mercedes 240D

Post by jake197000 »

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.
Post Reply