Mercedes Diesel Engine and Transmission in a BUMP?

[dolinick]

I just bought my wife a 1983 240d with a 4 cylinder engine and 4 speed manual transmission. The mercedes weighs almost as much as the F100 so I was thinking maybe the engine/transmission would be able to push it down the road ok. I know it is pretty underpowered even for the car. Also I don't know the gear ratio of the rear end in the mercedes or the wheel circumference/weight compared to the ford wheels(i know quite smaller and lighter). If anything you could put 225 75 r15 tires/wheels on the bump instead of 235 75 r15s. And then of course a 300d engine/transmission or a diesel turbo would have that little extra power.

I have seen threads on 4bt engines but I don't know what that is from.

Anyway, we just got the transmission replaced in my wife's car with a donor car. The donor car has some major engine knock or problem. My wife's old transmission worked good except for the 3rd speed synchro. It's now sitting in the trunk of the donor car.

[Doug F]

I had the same exact car a few years ago, I LOVED IT! Mine was black and immaculate! Anyway, I am considering the swap as well and actually found a guy who put an OM617 MB diesel in his old Range Rover with an NP435 and some english T/C. http://img1.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthr ... 955&page=2 This is the guy's build page... and NO he won't make an adapter plate! hehehe http://www.seriestrek.com/engine.html

The Finnish are making some SERIOUS HP in those 5 cyl MB motors! Supercharged AND Turbo! $$$$$$
Look it up: http://www.balticnordic.com/redirect.ht ... rsport%2F. Video here: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/sho ... 2176+turbo

One thing to consider though is weight. Yes the 5 cyl. MB motor weighs as much as an FE! Roughly 650-700lb. I just learned the other day why they weigh so much... It is to kill the noise!

I still am thinking about the swap.

Doug.

[averagef250]

Keep the truck as light as possible and it would be OK.

[mlheppl]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but Dustin, good to see you posting. I was wondering where you've been lately.

[dolinick]

One thing to consider though is weight. Yes the 5 cyl. MB motor weighs as much as an FE! Roughly 650-700lb. I just learned the other day why they weigh so much... It is to kill the noise!


Doug.

That's good to know especially for those wanting to convert their MB to and Electric Vehicle. You could lose a lot of weight by losing the engine. The transmission doesn't seem to weigh much. I thought since I got it out of the car I might go ahead and try to fabricate an adapter plate to one of my electric motors. I got 24 volt forklift motors and 36 volt golf cart/industrial truck motors lying around from my old EV project that never really got off the ground. But that's another story. Am I hijacking my own thread?

[averagef250]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but Dustin, good to see you posting. I was wondering where you've been lately.

Just moved the family and business about 20 miles to a bigger place. Took a couple weeks to get internet hooked up here. Still have lots to do, but slowly settling in.

[AlleyCat]

I'm not familiar with their car engines but I have worked on some of their old mid range truck engines. Those OM352 and OM366 engines were tough and reliable. If the car engines are anything like those then I suspect it would make a good swap.