STD Tuning Engine OM617 Swap into W126/350SDL

OM617 Swap into W126/350SDL

OM617 Swap into W126/350SDL

 
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Eli
Unregistered

4
07-13-2009, 06:10 PM #1
Greetings everyone, I am new. Seems like you've got a great forum here. I have been into Volvo diesels for a few years now, but now my Dad needs some help with his Merc.

He has a '91 350SDL which has recently suffered the bent rod syndrome. He loves the car and would like to keep it, but would like to avoid the cost of rebuilding OM603.

There is a local rusty '82 300D for sale for a reasonable price.

I wanted to know if it was possible to swap the 5 cylinder OM617.951(?) out of the 300D(W123) and swap it into the 350SDL(W126) replacing the 6 cylinder OM603.97(?).

Of course anything is possible, I guess more specifically I wanted to know if the OM617 would bolt up to the transmission and engine mounts in the 350SDL. I recognize that things like the down pipe, radiator hoses, ect. are probably different, but I am not so worried about that if the engine bolts up to the transmission and engine mounts.

Also, my Dad is worried about power. Do guys you think the OM617 has enough power to lug around the 350SDL? It is a few hundred pounds heavier then the 300D. Both the engines are turbos, so it appears the OM617 will only have 123HP as apposed to the 136HP of the OM603. Down 13HP isn't so bad. With your help we could tune the OM617 up another 13HP at least, right?

Thanks very much in advance.

-Eli from PA
Eli
07-13-2009, 06:10 PM #1

Greetings everyone, I am new. Seems like you've got a great forum here. I have been into Volvo diesels for a few years now, but now my Dad needs some help with his Merc.

He has a '91 350SDL which has recently suffered the bent rod syndrome. He loves the car and would like to keep it, but would like to avoid the cost of rebuilding OM603.

There is a local rusty '82 300D for sale for a reasonable price.

I wanted to know if it was possible to swap the 5 cylinder OM617.951(?) out of the 300D(W123) and swap it into the 350SDL(W126) replacing the 6 cylinder OM603.97(?).

Of course anything is possible, I guess more specifically I wanted to know if the OM617 would bolt up to the transmission and engine mounts in the 350SDL. I recognize that things like the down pipe, radiator hoses, ect. are probably different, but I am not so worried about that if the engine bolts up to the transmission and engine mounts.

Also, my Dad is worried about power. Do guys you think the OM617 has enough power to lug around the 350SDL? It is a few hundred pounds heavier then the 300D. Both the engines are turbos, so it appears the OM617 will only have 123HP as apposed to the 136HP of the OM603. Down 13HP isn't so bad. With your help we could tune the OM617 up another 13HP at least, right?

Thanks very much in advance.

-Eli from PA

DeliveryValve
Superturbo

1,338
07-14-2009, 12:31 AM #2
The mounts would be different. You might be able to use 617 w126 mounts for the fix. The stock transmission will not bolt up to a 617 because starter is on the opposite side. You'll need to get the donor 617 transmission with 1985 torque converter (2400-2700 stall speed) to handle the taller 2.82 differential ratio.




.

Gota love Mercedes Diesels!



.
DeliveryValve
07-14-2009, 12:31 AM #2

The mounts would be different. You might be able to use 617 w126 mounts for the fix. The stock transmission will not bolt up to a 617 because starter is on the opposite side. You'll need to get the donor 617 transmission with 1985 torque converter (2400-2700 stall speed) to handle the taller 2.82 differential ratio.




.


Gota love Mercedes Diesels!



.

Syncro_G
0-60 in 29 sec

280
07-16-2009, 11:00 PM #3
I'm curious why you're choosing a 617 instead of a 603 or possibly even a 606 turbo engine.
The 350 displacement engine is well known for failures but the 3L version is pretty decent and would be a simpler swap than the 617.
IMHO
I think the best setup would be to put in a 606 but use the pump from your 603.

-------------
'84 G-Wagen turbodiesel
'75 240D 4-Speed

Syncro_G
07-16-2009, 11:00 PM #3

I'm curious why you're choosing a 617 instead of a 603 or possibly even a 606 turbo engine.
The 350 displacement engine is well known for failures but the 3L version is pretty decent and would be a simpler swap than the 617.
IMHO
I think the best setup would be to put in a 606 but use the pump from your 603.


-------------
'84 G-Wagen turbodiesel
'75 240D 4-Speed

Eli
Unregistered

4
09-01-2009, 05:21 PM #4
Hey Guys,

I wanted to thank you for your answers and apologize for my belated responce.

We are still searching for a good engine.

So, if I am understanding correctly the engine from a 300SD (W126 body style) will work in my dads 350SDL. Are the transmissions the same for the 350SDL and the 300SD? Would anything need to be modified or does this engine just bolt it?

The engines out of the 300SD seem to have less problems and are more prevolent then trying to find another 350SDL engine.

Thanks again,

-Eli
Eli
09-01-2009, 05:21 PM #4

Hey Guys,

I wanted to thank you for your answers and apologize for my belated responce.

We are still searching for a good engine.

So, if I am understanding correctly the engine from a 300SD (W126 body style) will work in my dads 350SDL. Are the transmissions the same for the 350SDL and the 300SD? Would anything need to be modified or does this engine just bolt it?

The engines out of the 300SD seem to have less problems and are more prevolent then trying to find another 350SDL engine.

Thanks again,

-Eli

Einar
GT2256V

118
09-01-2009, 06:17 PM #5
An engine from a 300SD i still a OM617.951, but from a 300SDL i should be a OM603, wich would fit directly.
Engine from 300D(T)(W123) is OM617.952, the difference i`ve heard is the oil filter housing against the 951.
A 617 will not fit a 603-transmission
Einar
09-01-2009, 06:17 PM #5

An engine from a 300SD i still a OM617.951, but from a 300SDL i should be a OM603, wich would fit directly.
Engine from 300D(T)(W123) is OM617.952, the difference i`ve heard is the oil filter housing against the 951.
A 617 will not fit a 603-transmission

tantank79
T3-45

109
09-01-2009, 07:58 PM #6
If you should end up with a 617 from a W123 there are several things you will have to change. I recently swapped an engine from a W126 into my W123. Here are the differences I noticed:

-Engine mounts
-Oil cooler lines (slightly different shape, but can fit)
-Oil filter housing and oil pressure sender (mechanical vs. electronic)
-A/C line routing
-Glow plug harness (The 126 harness had something extra, don't know what it was for though)

I think that is about it.

-Brian

1983 300TD
1982 240D
1981 280TE
tantank79
09-01-2009, 07:58 PM #6

If you should end up with a 617 from a W123 there are several things you will have to change. I recently swapped an engine from a W126 into my W123. Here are the differences I noticed:

-Engine mounts
-Oil cooler lines (slightly different shape, but can fit)
-Oil filter housing and oil pressure sender (mechanical vs. electronic)
-A/C line routing
-Glow plug harness (The 126 harness had something extra, don't know what it was for though)

I think that is about it.


-Brian

1983 300TD
1982 240D
1981 280TE

willbhere4u
Six in a row make her go!

2,507
09-01-2009, 08:45 PM #7
the w126 300sd before 1986 is the 3.0l 5cyl om617 and after 1987 is the 3.0l om606? 6cly or 300sdl

1987 300SDL 6spd manual om606.962 swap project
1985 300td euro 5spd wagon running
willbhere4u
09-01-2009, 08:45 PM #7

the w126 300sd before 1986 is the 3.0l 5cyl om617 and after 1987 is the 3.0l om606? 6cly or 300sdl


1987 300SDL 6spd manual om606.962 swap project
1985 300td euro 5spd wagon running

Eli
Unregistered

4
09-16-2009, 07:01 PM #8
Thanks so much for all your help guys.

The less things I would need to change around the better.

You say the OM603 out of a 300SDL will bolt directly. Is this engine the same 6 cylinder with the same issues as the OM603 in the 350SDL? Or is it a 3.0 5 cylinder (as the 300 suggests) that will just bolt in the 350SDL?

Is the OM603 out of the 300SDL reliable?

Your help is much appreciated.

Thanks.

-Eli
Eli
09-16-2009, 07:01 PM #8

Thanks so much for all your help guys.

The less things I would need to change around the better.

You say the OM603 out of a 300SDL will bolt directly. Is this engine the same 6 cylinder with the same issues as the OM603 in the 350SDL? Or is it a 3.0 5 cylinder (as the 300 suggests) that will just bolt in the 350SDL?

Is the OM603 out of the 300SDL reliable?

Your help is much appreciated.

Thanks.

-Eli

willbhere4u
Six in a row make her go!

2,507
09-16-2009, 08:56 PM #9
The om603 is the 6cyl but only the engines after 91 have the rod bending problem. 87 is the first year of the 6cyl.

FYI all of the 5cyl before 1986 are OM617 turbo and non turbo! and the 4cyl before 85? all non turbo OM616-OM615 = 240d

all of the 300sdl 350sdl after 1991 have the rod bending problem and 1987-1990 3.0 6cyl are good!

the 3.0 6cyl om603 makes a lot more power!!! than the om617 3.0 5cyl

1987 300SDL 6spd manual om606.962 swap project
1985 300td euro 5spd wagon running
willbhere4u
09-16-2009, 08:56 PM #9

The om603 is the 6cyl but only the engines after 91 have the rod bending problem. 87 is the first year of the 6cyl.

FYI all of the 5cyl before 1986 are OM617 turbo and non turbo! and the 4cyl before 85? all non turbo OM616-OM615 = 240d

all of the 300sdl 350sdl after 1991 have the rod bending problem and 1987-1990 3.0 6cyl are good!

the 3.0 6cyl om603 makes a lot more power!!! than the om617 3.0 5cyl


1987 300SDL 6spd manual om606.962 swap project
1985 300td euro 5spd wagon running

ForcedInduction
Banned

3,628
09-16-2009, 09:51 PM #10
(09-16-2009, 08:56 PM)willbhere4u 1987-1990 3.0 6cyl are good!

If you don't let them overheat and crack the head. If you put the updated head from 3.5 on the 3.0 it will be more heat crack resistant and more fuel efficient from the updated prechamber design.
ForcedInduction
09-16-2009, 09:51 PM #10

(09-16-2009, 08:56 PM)willbhere4u 1987-1990 3.0 6cyl are good!

If you don't let them overheat and crack the head. If you put the updated head from 3.5 on the 3.0 it will be more heat crack resistant and more fuel efficient from the updated prechamber design.

Eli
Unregistered

4
09-17-2009, 10:02 AM #11
(09-16-2009, 08:56 PM)willbhere4u all of the 300sdl 350sdl after 1991 have the rod bending problem and 1987-1990 3.0 6cyl are good!

That's what I wanted to know! The '87-'90 300SDL will swap directly into a 91 350SDL because they both have OM603s, correct?

I'll keep that in mind about the swapping the later head on as well. Good to know.

Thanks very much everyone.
Eli
09-17-2009, 10:02 AM #11

(09-16-2009, 08:56 PM)willbhere4u all of the 300sdl 350sdl after 1991 have the rod bending problem and 1987-1990 3.0 6cyl are good!

That's what I wanted to know! The '87-'90 300SDL will swap directly into a 91 350SDL because they both have OM603s, correct?

I'll keep that in mind about the swapping the later head on as well. Good to know.

Thanks very much everyone.

TotalDiesel
Unregistered

 
09-17-2009, 10:33 AM #12
sad to say but the OM617 wont be able to get outa its own way in that car. The OM603 has significantly more torque than the OM617. My modified 300SD doesnt stand a chance against my stock 300SDL.
TotalDiesel
09-17-2009, 10:33 AM #12

sad to say but the OM617 wont be able to get outa its own way in that car. The OM603 has significantly more torque than the OM617. My modified 300SD doesnt stand a chance against my stock 300SDL.

 
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