1990 Mercedes Benz 300CD
1990 Mercedes Benz 300CD
The right donor car (?) popped up last week, so I took the plunge (taking delivery from P.O. yesterday, who drove it 200 miles here). It is THE most god-awful ugly car I've ever seen; 217k on the clock, and an utterly indescribably-trashed interior. However, the OM603 is in great shape; impeccably clean w 400lbs compression all cylinders, new injectors & glows, no blow-by, and the trans works great too (no reverse lag/clicking whatsoever). I was told the turbo wasn't working, but it is indeed. I will be exploring larger elements for the FI pump, or perhaps just turning up the stock one all the way via ALDA etc (lots of research left to do). If that happens (i.e. the elements), a T4 or Holset HX35/intercooler/meth injection will also find a home in the engine bay. I will be pulling everything of use to me very shortly, and then I'll probably put the poor shell out of its misery by running it over with my track loader machine. I've honestly never seen a car so horribly mistreated (other than the mechanicals); the disparity was/is really bizarre. One of the front strut mounts broke, so they just cut a hole in the hood to let the strut stick out and jump around (scary). In any event, we decorated it for Halloween....
Humor aside, I will be yanking the original M104 & trans in short order (in case anyone needs one). 211k on it, but head was done within 24k miles. I replaced quite a bit of stuff, and it always seemed to run well until the EZL went South. The trans reverse clutches are failing on it (long lag), but it still works.
Should be a fun project, and I welcome any input. I will be utilizing the search function liberally in the next few days...... :-)
Hi all, new member here. I have 3 W124's (300CE, E420, E500) that I have been restoring/driving for a few years. I lost the EZL (what a surprise) in my red 1990 300CE about a month ago. After checking prices on both it and Jetronic CIS parts, I decided to scratch an itch I've been having re: swapping an ever-so-slightly-tweaked OM603 turbodiesel into this car.
The right donor car (?) popped up last week, so I took the plunge (taking delivery from P.O. yesterday, who drove it 200 miles here). It is THE most god-awful ugly car I've ever seen; 217k on the clock, and an utterly indescribably-trashed interior. However, the OM603 is in great shape; impeccably clean w 400lbs compression all cylinders, new injectors & glows, no blow-by, and the trans works great too (no reverse lag/clicking whatsoever). I was told the turbo wasn't working, but it is indeed. I will be exploring larger elements for the FI pump, or perhaps just turning up the stock one all the way via ALDA etc (lots of research left to do). If that happens (i.e. the elements), a T4 or Holset HX35/intercooler/meth injection will also find a home in the engine bay. I will be pulling everything of use to me very shortly, and then I'll probably put the poor shell out of its misery by running it over with my track loader machine. I've honestly never seen a car so horribly mistreated (other than the mechanicals); the disparity was/is really bizarre. One of the front strut mounts broke, so they just cut a hole in the hood to let the strut stick out and jump around (scary). In any event, we decorated it for Halloween....
Humor aside, I will be yanking the original M104 & trans in short order (in case anyone needs one). 211k on it, but head was done within 24k miles. I replaced quite a bit of stuff, and it always seemed to run well until the EZL went South. The trans reverse clutches are failing on it (long lag), but it still works.
Should be a fun project, and I welcome any input. I will be utilizing the search function liberally in the next few days...... :-)
OK, turns out the "Death mobile" has an original #14 head casting (albeit in great running shape), so I've acquired a #20 casting from an 86 W126. I'm also getting the injection pump from it to send in as a donor to Dieselmeken, as the pump on the DM was new in 2012. If anyone needs an almost-new stock pump, I'll be selling it a bit down the road. Here's the #20 head coming off....
(11-03-2014, 09:13 AM)mbz123 Not seeing pic in last post. nvm
If that's a pnp car might wanna check the date code on that radiator. Could bring a shiny penny if it tests good.
Can't wait to see that 124coupe dieselfied. 8-D
MBZ123
PNP = "plug n play"? Weird about the pic; I'm seeing it here..... :-)
(11-03-2014, 09:13 AM)mbz123 Not seeing pic in last post. nvm
If that's a pnp car might wanna check the date code on that radiator. Could bring a shiny penny if it tests good.
Can't wait to see that 124coupe dieselfied. 8-D
MBZ123
PNP = "plug n play"? Weird about the pic; I'm seeing it here..... :-)
DiseaselWeasel
11-04-2014, 01:38 PM #6Maybe this is of some inspiration for you... http://retrorides.proboards.com/post/1789739/thread (it's a long, but detailed read about my 300CD conversion)
(11-03-2014, 08:14 PM)viking1 PNP = "plug n play"?
i lulz'd
was asking if the w126 you snagged the head from is living at the parts yard. At second glance the radiator looks long in the tooth. If newer tho and able to hold pressure, there would be a line of people interested in it.
MBZ123
(11-03-2014, 08:27 PM)benzguy Viking1 are you going to be able to register your CE as a diesel car in Arizona?
Sure, why not? Those dummies wont know the difference.... :-)
(11-05-2014, 06:08 AM)mbz123(11-03-2014, 08:14 PM)viking1 PNP = "plug n play"?
i lulz'd
was asking if the w126 you snagged the head from is living at the parts yard. At second glance the radiator looks long in the tooth. If newer tho and able to hold pressure, there would be a line of people interested in it.
MBZ123
Nope; the car was purchased from an old couple (70's) who threw a new pump & injectors at it before throwing in the towel. Its in VERY clean condition (177k miles), and I'll have a lot of parts available from it (rad included)..... :-)
(11-04-2014, 01:38 PM)DiseaselWeasel Maybe this is of some inspiration for you... http://retrorides.proboards.com/post/1789739/thread (it's a long, but detailed read about my 300CD conversion)
Excellent stuff, DW. It looks like the 300CE's all had the same problems (those seatbelt things suck). My AC was ice cold though before the EZL died. Best thing about the car in that form (LOL)....
I"ll be sure to read the whole thread; thx much....
(11-03-2014, 08:27 PM)benzguy Viking1 are you going to be able to register your CE as a diesel car in Arizona?
Sure, why not? Those dummies wont know the difference.... :-)
(11-05-2014, 06:08 AM)mbz123(11-03-2014, 08:14 PM)viking1 PNP = "plug n play"?
i lulz'd
was asking if the w126 you snagged the head from is living at the parts yard. At second glance the radiator looks long in the tooth. If newer tho and able to hold pressure, there would be a line of people interested in it.
MBZ123
Nope; the car was purchased from an old couple (70's) who threw a new pump & injectors at it before throwing in the towel. Its in VERY clean condition (177k miles), and I'll have a lot of parts available from it (rad included)..... :-)
(11-04-2014, 01:38 PM)DiseaselWeasel Maybe this is of some inspiration for you... http://retrorides.proboards.com/post/1789739/thread (it's a long, but detailed read about my 300CD conversion)
Excellent stuff, DW. It looks like the 300CE's all had the same problems (those seatbelt things suck). My AC was ice cold though before the EZL died. Best thing about the car in that form (LOL)....
I"ll be sure to read the whole thread; thx much....
(11-04-2014, 01:38 PM)DiseaselWeasel Maybe this is of some inspiration for you... http://retrorides.proboards.com/post/1789739/thread (it's a long, but detailed read about my 300CD conversion)
Wow! Just read your thread on RR from start to finish; always great to see someone as skilled as you (that did the exact same swap) documenting it so wonderfully. I greatly appreciate how helpful it will be to me!! Thx much amigo!!
(11-04-2014, 01:38 PM)DiseaselWeasel Maybe this is of some inspiration for you... http://retrorides.proboards.com/post/1789739/thread (it's a long, but detailed read about my 300CD conversion)
Wow! Just read your thread on RR from start to finish; always great to see someone as skilled as you (that did the exact same swap) documenting it so wonderfully. I greatly appreciate how helpful it will be to me!! Thx much amigo!!
(01-22-2017, 08:42 PM)benzguy Viking1 did you finish your swap ? I finish my now I have a W124 1990 300CD
Yes Sir, turned out to be a great little car!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bTH1nH0ej4
(01-22-2017, 08:42 PM)benzguy Viking1 did you finish your swap ? I finish my now I have a W124 1990 300CD
Yes Sir, turned out to be a great little car!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bTH1nH0ej4
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