Engine Swap (purists look the other way) - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

indybenz · #16 06-13-2022, 08:38 AM

Well the swap is poking along but needs to speed up! I'm moving back to Indiana and need to get this swapped so I can put it on a boat and send it to myself.

indybenz · #17 06-15-2022, 01:58 PM

So I've hit a snag. I am unable to import the car into the US with the OM605 in it, but can import it as it sits with the OM616.

As posted elsewhere on this forum (I think?) one of the cam towers is broken at the bottom. I did not know this when I bought it and really don't want to rebuild the engine.

Any suggestions as to how long this thing will go before doom strikes? Or ideas how much/long it would take me to replace the cam tower with a good used one?

The problem with that is 'why did the thing break in the first place?' And if I spend a bunch of time/money repairing it, but miss the problem, then I'm in no better place.

Ugh.

Open to suggestions, ideas, etc.

Picture of broken cam tower. Looks like head work was done at some point in the past 15 years (the car sat for a looooong time) and the nuts that hold things in place (not the head bolts) were left off. Could be the source of the problem or could be more sinister.

indybenz · #18 06-19-2022, 04:44 PM

I should have updated this post. I investigated and the cam tower is fine. Not cracked. The picture just played tricks on us. I'll be keeping the car and importing it to the US and selling on the OM616 AND the 4 speed (not the pedals) manual.

indybenz · #19 06-22-2022, 08:19 PM

And another update is that I have confirmation that I can ship the 'bare' engine to myself! I was worried about the 25 year rule, but as it turns out, you can ship the engine and it is the responsibility of the installer to make it EPA compliant. Not sure how they police that.

So what that means is that I'll make a pallet-based crate, using the engine mount arms and some DIY bolt and bracketry, put sides on it, and it will go into the container we're using to ship our household goods UK>US. The car itself with go RoRo (roll on/roll off) Liverpool>Baltimore.

Happy to chat more about that if anyone is interested but for now this thread may go a bit quiet...

vwnate1 · #20 06-23-2022, 10:27 PM

DON'T GO QUIET ! .

indybenz · #21 06-24-2022, 02:59 AM

I'll be away for 5 weeks but then will hit the ground running...or driving...or swapping...

indybenz · #22 01-27-2023, 09:15 PM

I've made it back to the US along with the car, parts and tools!

I'm not sure if this thread is still alive but will keep posting here and hope it will revive itself.

bkc · #23 01-28-2023, 05:05 PM

Well, I'm definitely still interested in following this. So keep on posting!

indybenz · #24 01-28-2023, 05:46 PM

I'll have the OM616 EU spec motor and 4 speed manual for sale in the coming months...most likely spring. I'll be keeping the peda box but the rest will be up for grabs. 216k on engine w good compression. Im doing the front crank seal soon, and water pump and maybe vac pump, so it will have a number of years left in it for someone wanting a slow but trusty power plant.

vwnate1 · #25 01-28-2023, 10:02 PM

Jon ;

This thread will continue until you stop it .

I'll go heat up some popcorn .

indybenz · #26 01-28-2023, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwnate1

Jon ;

This thread will continue until you stop it .

I'll go heat up some popcorn .

Then I'll keep writing.

Nate did I read your om616 threw a rod!? Hope your replacement motor is a good one.

For this thread/build, I decided to use the stock radiator/ic from the W202 wagon I had in Scotland. Turns out, the bottom bracket that the intercooler and radiator sit on fits perfectly in just the right spot in the W123!

I do not yet have pictures but of course will have.

I ordered a new stock radiator and intercooler for the W202 C250td and am pretty sure those will suffice for cooling. I don't plan on big power gains necessitating a bigger ic, but I do have my eyes on a wee bit bigger turbo and the exhaust will flow better than stock and I'll keep an eye on egts.

Does anyone that is watching this thread have a recommendation for an A pillar gauge pod? I know there are lots and lots of options but would love a recommendation.

A bit of an aside but my other car is a low mileage rust free W210 w the OM606 and I found this kit for it https://www.benzinjectors.com/product-page/om606-performance-turbo-kit-for-e300-w210.

The kit mostly works for the 605 minus the computer. Very tempting.

vwnate1 · #27 01-28-2023, 11:04 PM

Yes, it did ~ it threw a connecting rod right through the side of the engine destroying it beyond repair .

It's undergoing a hear transplant right now, stuck on looking for a # 616 010 16 13 upper oil pan, I'm chasing leads all over the place .

I await further news of you project .

indybenz · #28 06-20-2024, 11:09 AM

I am attempting to revive this post...

Currently getting the OM616 in a 'good enough' state to sell on to the next enthusiast.

New Question:
This W123 has the usual rust and some I've not seen before. I'm not scrapping it so that is off the table, understand?

I have seen a new 'clip' produced by an aftermarket manufacturer for $700ish on fleabay.

My intent is to use the stock OM605 radiator (new in hand), perhaps fans or other electronic fans (not sure yet), intercooler (new in hand) and make them work with some bracketry of some type.

I will attempt to submit some images of the sorry state of the rust on this.

Shall I just have someone/myself weld in some brackets/metal to hold all of it in place so that when you shut the hood it just looks 'normal'? I'm not a purist so am not bothered if it has some bits and bobs sticking out down below as long as they are not in a vulnerable position.

indybenz · #29 06-20-2024, 11:10 AM

I am attempting to revive this post...

Currently getting the OM616 in a 'good enough' state to sell on to the next enthusiast.

New Question:
This W123 has the usual rust and some I've not seen before. I'm not scrapping it so that is off the table, understand?

I have seen a new 'clip' produced by an aftermarket manufacturer for $700ish on fleabay.

My intent is to use the stock OM605 radiator (new in hand), perhaps fans or other electronic fans (not sure yet), intercooler (new in hand) and make them work with some bracketry of some type.

I will attempt to submit some images of the sorry state of the rust on this.

Shall I just have someone/myself weld in some brackets/metal to hold all of it in place so that when you shut the hood it just looks 'normal'? I'm not a purist so am not bothered if it has some bits and bobs sticking out down below as long as they are not in a vulnerable position.

indybenz · #30 06-20-2024, 11:45 AM

Images:
front lower driver/passenger sides
radiator support
behind headlight

Front clip is fleabay number 324820879065