OM617 Swap into W126/350SDL
OM617 Swap into W126/350SDL
He has a '91 350SDL which has recently suffered the bent rod syndrome. He loves the car and would like to keep it, but would like to avoid the cost of rebuilding OM603.
There is a local rusty '82 300D for sale for a reasonable price.
I wanted to know if it was possible to swap the 5 cylinder OM617.951(?) out of the 300D(W123) and swap it into the 350SDL(W126) replacing the 6 cylinder OM603.97(?).
Of course anything is possible, I guess more specifically I wanted to know if the OM617 would bolt up to the transmission and engine mounts in the 350SDL. I recognize that things like the down pipe, radiator hoses, ect. are probably different, but I am not so worried about that if the engine bolts up to the transmission and engine mounts.
Also, my Dad is worried about power. Do guys you think the OM617 has enough power to lug around the 350SDL? It is a few hundred pounds heavier then the 300D. Both the engines are turbos, so it appears the OM617 will only have 123HP as apposed to the 136HP of the OM603. Down 13HP isn't so bad. With your help we could tune the OM617 up another 13HP at least, right?
Thanks very much in advance.
-Eli from PA
Greetings everyone, I am new. Seems like you've got a great forum here. I have been into Volvo diesels for a few years now, but now my Dad needs some help with his Merc.
He has a '91 350SDL which has recently suffered the bent rod syndrome. He loves the car and would like to keep it, but would like to avoid the cost of rebuilding OM603.
There is a local rusty '82 300D for sale for a reasonable price.
I wanted to know if it was possible to swap the 5 cylinder OM617.951(?) out of the 300D(W123) and swap it into the 350SDL(W126) replacing the 6 cylinder OM603.97(?).
Of course anything is possible, I guess more specifically I wanted to know if the OM617 would bolt up to the transmission and engine mounts in the 350SDL. I recognize that things like the down pipe, radiator hoses, ect. are probably different, but I am not so worried about that if the engine bolts up to the transmission and engine mounts.
Also, my Dad is worried about power. Do guys you think the OM617 has enough power to lug around the 350SDL? It is a few hundred pounds heavier then the 300D. Both the engines are turbos, so it appears the OM617 will only have 123HP as apposed to the 136HP of the OM603. Down 13HP isn't so bad. With your help we could tune the OM617 up another 13HP at least, right?
Thanks very much in advance.
-Eli from PA
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Gota love Mercedes Diesels!
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DeliveryValve
07-14-2009, 12:31 AM #2The mounts would be different. You might be able to use 617 w126 mounts for the fix. The stock transmission will not bolt up to a 617 because starter is on the opposite side. You'll need to get the donor 617 transmission with 1985 torque converter (2400-2700 stall speed) to handle the taller 2.82 differential ratio.
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Gota love Mercedes Diesels!
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The 350 displacement engine is well known for failures but the 3L version is pretty decent and would be a simpler swap than the 617.
IMHO
I think the best setup would be to put in a 606 but use the pump from your 603.
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'84 G-Wagen turbodiesel
'75 240D 4-Speed
I'm curious why you're choosing a 617 instead of a 603 or possibly even a 606 turbo engine.
The 350 displacement engine is well known for failures but the 3L version is pretty decent and would be a simpler swap than the 617.
IMHO
I think the best setup would be to put in a 606 but use the pump from your 603.
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'84 G-Wagen turbodiesel
'75 240D 4-Speed
I wanted to thank you for your answers and apologize for my belated responce.
We are still searching for a good engine.
So, if I am understanding correctly the engine from a 300SD (W126 body style) will work in my dads 350SDL. Are the transmissions the same for the 350SDL and the 300SD? Would anything need to be modified or does this engine just bolt it?
The engines out of the 300SD seem to have less problems and are more prevolent then trying to find another 350SDL engine.
Thanks again,
-Eli
Hey Guys,
I wanted to thank you for your answers and apologize for my belated responce.
We are still searching for a good engine.
So, if I am understanding correctly the engine from a 300SD (W126 body style) will work in my dads 350SDL. Are the transmissions the same for the 350SDL and the 300SD? Would anything need to be modified or does this engine just bolt it?
The engines out of the 300SD seem to have less problems and are more prevolent then trying to find another 350SDL engine.
Thanks again,
-Eli
-Engine mounts
-Oil cooler lines (slightly different shape, but can fit)
-Oil filter housing and oil pressure sender (mechanical vs. electronic)
-A/C line routing
-Glow plug harness (The 126 harness had something extra, don't know what it was for though)
I think that is about it.
-Brian
1983 300TD
1982 240D
1981 280TE
If you should end up with a 617 from a W123 there are several things you will have to change. I recently swapped an engine from a W126 into my W123. Here are the differences I noticed:
-Engine mounts
-Oil cooler lines (slightly different shape, but can fit)
-Oil filter housing and oil pressure sender (mechanical vs. electronic)
-A/C line routing
-Glow plug harness (The 126 harness had something extra, don't know what it was for though)
I think that is about it.
-Brian
1983 300TD
1982 240D
1981 280TE
1987 300SDL 6spd manual om606.962 swap project
1985 300td euro 5spd wagon running
willbhere4u
09-01-2009, 08:45 PM #7the w126 300sd before 1986 is the 3.0l 5cyl om617 and after 1987 is the 3.0l om606? 6cly or 300sdl
1987 300SDL 6spd manual om606.962 swap project
1985 300td euro 5spd wagon running
The less things I would need to change around the better.
You say the OM603 out of a 300SDL will bolt directly. Is this engine the same 6 cylinder with the same issues as the OM603 in the 350SDL? Or is it a 3.0 5 cylinder (as the 300 suggests) that will just bolt in the 350SDL?
Is the OM603 out of the 300SDL reliable?
Your help is much appreciated.
Thanks.
-Eli
Thanks so much for all your help guys.
The less things I would need to change around the better.
You say the OM603 out of a 300SDL will bolt directly. Is this engine the same 6 cylinder with the same issues as the OM603 in the 350SDL? Or is it a 3.0 5 cylinder (as the 300 suggests) that will just bolt in the 350SDL?
Is the OM603 out of the 300SDL reliable?
Your help is much appreciated.
Thanks.
-Eli
FYI all of the 5cyl before 1986 are OM617 turbo and non turbo! and the 4cyl before 85? all non turbo OM616-OM615 = 240d
all of the 300sdl 350sdl after 1991 have the rod bending problem and 1987-1990 3.0 6cyl are good!
the 3.0 6cyl om603 makes a lot more power!!! than the om617 3.0 5cyl
1987 300SDL 6spd manual om606.962 swap project
1985 300td euro 5spd wagon running
willbhere4u
09-16-2009, 08:56 PM #9The om603 is the 6cyl but only the engines after 91 have the rod bending problem. 87 is the first year of the 6cyl.
FYI all of the 5cyl before 1986 are OM617 turbo and non turbo! and the 4cyl before 85? all non turbo OM616-OM615 = 240d
all of the 300sdl 350sdl after 1991 have the rod bending problem and 1987-1990 3.0 6cyl are good!
the 3.0 6cyl om603 makes a lot more power!!! than the om617 3.0 5cyl
1987 300SDL 6spd manual om606.962 swap project
1985 300td euro 5spd wagon running
(09-16-2009, 08:56 PM)willbhere4u 1987-1990 3.0 6cyl are good!
If you don't let them overheat and crack the head. If you put the updated head from 3.5 on the 3.0 it will be more heat crack resistant and more fuel efficient from the updated prechamber design.
ForcedInduction
09-16-2009, 09:51 PM
#10
(09-16-2009, 08:56 PM)willbhere4u 1987-1990 3.0 6cyl are good!
If you don't let them overheat and crack the head. If you put the updated head from 3.5 on the 3.0 it will be more heat crack resistant and more fuel efficient from the updated prechamber design.
(09-16-2009, 08:56 PM)willbhere4u all of the 300sdl 350sdl after 1991 have the rod bending problem and 1987-1990 3.0 6cyl are good!
That's what I wanted to know! The '87-'90 300SDL will swap directly into a 91 350SDL because they both have OM603s, correct?
I'll keep that in mind about the swapping the later head on as well. Good to know.
Thanks very much everyone.
(09-16-2009, 08:56 PM)willbhere4u all of the 300sdl 350sdl after 1991 have the rod bending problem and 1987-1990 3.0 6cyl are good!
That's what I wanted to know! The '87-'90 300SDL will swap directly into a 91 350SDL because they both have OM603s, correct?
I'll keep that in mind about the swapping the later head on as well. Good to know.
Thanks very much everyone.
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