Anyone done an Engine conversion on a 240 MBZ?

[Motorhead]

I have a pretty cherry '77 240D MBZ. The body is real good and it has NO power windows,sunroof,or climate control. Very simple and basic. The engine runs ok(137,000mi) but the cam is wearing a little on #4 cyl. The Auto trans is a little finnicky... It can slip occasionally. I have thought of transplanting a 4. 3 Chevy V6 and a turbo 350 auto trans. I would have to change the rear end to a higher ratio (3. 07 to 1 out of a turbo 300). I think it would make a neat car as the 240's handled good and the 4. 3 should move it right along. The 4. 3 is a pretty bullit proof engine and can be had cheaply! The 240 with an automatic is kind of a SLUG!!



Any of you guys done any conversions on one? Give me your thoughts. Chris

 

[emarsh]

two customers have put Ford 5. 0 v8's with an AOD 4 speed automatic overdrive with lockup using our computer harness in these mercedes.

 

[Motorhead]

emarsh, Have you seen these cars when they are done? What harness do you sell ? Does it set it up for fuel inj. ? What years of 302's and transmissions are they using? Can you put me in contact with either of these people? Thanks, Chris

 

[Uncle Joe]

i know of 1 300d(77) that has a toyota 22r(truck motor )in it

also saw one in pick&pull with a old ford 6 cyl,they had to cut into the fire wall and of course, bye-bye to front sway bar,but it looked like it was a runner at one time

you cannot put any motor with a rear sump in it (4. 3 chevy included)so 5. 0 ford is the most likely canidate

btw: most 300d and sd i came across had 3. 36 gear in them,to my recollection,not shure what the 240 came with.

what model did you find wth the 3. 08 gear??

 

[Motorhead]

Uncle Joe, Good to know about the oil sump problem. The 300D Turbo's come with a 3. 07:1. The 240's are lower than the 300 non turbo, somewhere like 3. 48:1. The only other thing that I had thought of doing to the 240 was finding a wrecked 300 turbo and transplanting the drivetrain into it. My reason to do this rather than buying a 300 turbo is that the 240 doesn't have all the gimmicks that the newer cars have,ie: climate control,power windows, power sunroof. This car has A/C, no sun roof and manual controls for the heater and A/C. Chris

 

[Uncle Joe]

10 years ago i converted 2 300 cd into 4 speed out of a 240

conversion is easy,as long as you dont have to hunt for the parts(get everything from the same car) well worth the effort.

conversion of yours to a 5 cyl is not worth it imo,for the reason that a complete running turbo motor is worth more then a running car,i have a 1980 300sd in a very good shape,however i couldnt get $1500 for it ,im parting it out, so far i sold the engine for $1200 and some front sheet metal for $150

if you decide to go with a 5 cyl conversion ,let me know as i gen tell you what is involved... ... ... ... joe

 

[emarsh]

What you want if you want to use a ford engine is to get a wrecked mustang v8 from 1989 to 1993, these are the best years to swap, look for one that has an AOD transmission, these are mechanically operated (no computer required for the trans) 3 sp + OD, and feature a . 63 overdrive ratio with converter lockup.

In mustangs they are capable of 24 MPG highway. Sorry, no can do on contacting previous customers. We can help with winring & fuel delivery system

 

[Blakers]

Heck, the car will handle it and is used to the weight, so I would go with a high performance V-8. 327 or something like that. Might as well make it fun!



Blake