Can you put a '88 300SEL front end on a '84 300SD?

[dannym]

SO, as you all know my son crashed the 1984 300SD into a ditch. See thread here:
My son crashed the mercedes yesterday!!
pictures on page 3, post #34.

My daughter replaced it with an 1988 300SEL and side swiped it into a pole. Thread here:
1988 300SEL won't start

My question is can you take the front end off the 300SEL which has the 126.025 chassis and put it on the 300SD which has the 126.120 chassis?

It will need the headlights, condenser, radiator w/ mount, bumper, etc..

Thanks

Danny

[Brian Carlton]

My question is whether you can trade in the kids for some safer models.........??

[JamesDean]

By in large I believe most of the parts would fit. Let me check the EPC for part number...

The headlamps will go on no problem.

I'd wager the bumper would be good to as well. However, I think the two cars have differently designed bumpers in terms of appearance so it might not match up visually.

According to the EPC, the Radiator on the SD is part number specific to the 300SD. It is not shared by any other of the 126 models. If you look at picture of the two radiators the line locations are different. You'll need to get a 300SD radiator. The trans cooling hoses are in a different location than the 300SEL's. Also the 300SD has a oil cooler so that probably factors into the size of the radiator too. I'm not sure about the physical mounting though. It *might* work

The EPC also reports the same for the condenser. However I've read and been suggested to by some guys on here to run the later edition w126 condensers on the earlier models. They are supposedly superior and will better cool the system. So you might be able to physically put the 300SEL's condenser and fan arrangement into the 300SD. It would just be a matter of physical placement and wiring.


Edit: I skimmed though your post on the SD and it looks like you're goin to have to cut out the SEL's radiator mount and weld it into the 300SD. I think the SD is salvagable granted the motor is A-OK. Looks like you'll need the bumper (should work), a/c condenser (should work w modifcation), radiator wont (see above)

[cirrusman]

Yep, the 300SD has an oil cooler, therefore, a smaller size radiator than the 300sel... you'll need to get that specific radiator and very likely the cooler too. Hopefully you'll be able to keep the old oil cooler hoses in place because they're a bit challenging to put in and out as you have to lift the whole engine somewhat with a jack... should you need to replace those, here's how: http://dieselgiant.com/oilcoolerlinereplacementl.htm
The how-to on the fan: http://dieselgiant.com/mercedeselectricfaninstall.htm (this is on a w123 chassis, and they want to replace the existing fan with an electric one, but the stock fan follows steps 1-3, and then reverse the steps.)
I would also send the kiddos back to driving safety class...

[dannym]

Now i'm wondering if it's even worth it.
Guess I'll just wait and see what the guy at the body shop has to say.

Danny