Here are some photos of a W126 sedan that I have picked up, its an import from either UK, Hong Kong or Japan last registered in Australia in 2008.
It has the all alloy 5lt. M117 motor and 4 speed trans. the final drive is an SP 2.72 ratio. It must one of the early series as it has 14inch wheel.
There is no ABS and standard steel springs and no sunroof. it seems this car has all the performance goodies with none of the optional extras of the day.
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/38809-1/IMGP4260_001.jpg)(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/38797-1/IMGP4258+_1_.jpg)(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/38814-1/IMGP4261.jpg)(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/38845-1/IMGP4268.jpg)(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/38821-1/IMGP4262.jpg)(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/38826-1/IMGP4263.jpg)(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/38838-1/IMGP4266.jpg)(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/38850-1/IMGP4273.jpg)
Can anyone tell me what year this car is from the chassis number
An early K-Jet with mechanical Aux Air valve... That is ideal for a swap as long as the engine is OK.
I would pull off those radiator hoses, and drain the coolant from the block and check for corrosion and sludge as a first port of call. And do you plan on getting the engine running in the car to inspect and determine how it runs? It should be easy as long as the fuel system is OK and you get an ignition module... That's the basic early one, so you shouldn't have any issues there.
Have a look at the date on the coolant reservoir, as that is original and all the other usual suspects for date stamps. I have no idea how to tell from the chassis nr. on the 126 how old it is, but it looks very early to me.
Tim
PS, anyone considering a 126, don't forget that the early ones do indeed feature basic K-Jet like the 116. I suspect in the future we will see more of these early cars still on the road because of that. It is only the KE-Jet cars that feature the expensive electronic bits, aside from the electronic idle speed control valve that can be found in place of the AAV on certain early cars. 8)
Hi Tim,
thanks for the reply. I'm going to attempt to get the motor started as you suggested, I will try an ignition module from a 450SE, can't hurt?
If its all good I will clean it up and remove to have ready for a possible transplant. How about a "450SE 5.0" should be an fairly uncomplicated swap?
These motors were rated at 240hp with about 300nm torque and with the slightly lower diff ratio would give an Aussie 6.9 (low comp) a run for its money from a standing start.
Cheers
Robert
Tim if you need any small bits from the interior just let me know
.
Well, the '83 500SEC I had certainly gave my 6.9 a run for its money. The main benefit was the first gear, but that means wheel spin if you plant it.
I think the difference between Aus and Euro 6.9s appears to be very subtle too, but obviously it would depend on the car. One would have to drive and get to know the two before making any judgement. I once went for a ride in Bill's 6.9 and couldn't tell the difference, but again not knowing the car personally means I'm not in the position to make any conclusions.
It takes a lot of critical driving to work these things out. 8)
Tim
I would have to agree with you Major Tom on the possible differences between the two 6.9's, However having owned both varieties for a number of years I was in a position to drive them time and time again to compare and I can assure you that the Gold Euro 6.9 I had was a absolute beast if feed the right fuel whereas the Silver Aussie 6.9 was a bit more subdued and both had similar mileage on them.
In any case I still think a 450SE 5.0 would be an interesting project
Cheers
Robert
now I need to find a W116 450SE with good interior and body, with a blown motor
hey Tim,
You were right, there was a date on the water bottle 4/84, that seems to fit?
Gents for my money the 5.0 and especially the early ones went far harder than the 5.6 which seemed to be a bit more leisurely.
I have to say this looks like an interesting swap Robert!
Perhaps something for me to do with the Topaz Brown 450 a little down the track.....
Indeed, 84 would be it.
The 116 transistor box might work, I'd confirm that first though.
Tim
you are on a 126 buying spree RD!
my 2 west australian cents (of which 1.5 goes to you east coast bludgers!)
-the update m117 5.0s had MUCH more power than the early ones. before finding my first 6.9, i tested a bunch of 5 litre variants (mainly sec's). the early ones are more leisurely than the updates). the overseas 5 litres we got from the UK as grey imports were also more likely to be high compression and bloody quick. before the engine rebuild and transplant, my 500sel 1988 would fly off the mark (when it wasnt 'pulsing' or having a seizure!) - but as usual, im sure the 6.9 would chase it down from 80/90kmh
-i think the issue comes down to weight and gearing, not the fact that it has 4 speeds though. to say the 1st speed ads anything on a 126 to me doesnt make sense. these damn 1st gears need to be manually selected and only went up to40kmh by which time they were screaming. a slow gear change meant it was better to take off in 2ndanyhow. 1st was only intended for downhill descents and heavy towing i understand from the manual.
anyhow, look forward to progress RD
nathan
Here we go with ignition module from 280se and fresh coolant the original oil looked pretty good, Started with the first spark and settled down to a smooth and steady idle, I am very supprised at how quiet it is, almost silent running!
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/38894-1/IMGP4277.jpg)(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/38887-1/IMGP4278.jpg)(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/38899-1/IMGP4281.jpg)the surface oil burning off, need to clean it up(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/38911-1/IMGP4285.jpg)Hot wired as ther is no ignition switch(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/38906-1/IMGP4284.jpg)internals look very good(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/38866-1/IMGP4286_001.JPG)after a good clean(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/38874-1/IMGP4288.JPG)looking better(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/38877-1/IMGP4289.JPG)
Well it seems we are off to a good start, pity it can't be driven (the steering column has been removed)
I am now looking for a transplant recipient 450SE
Great to hear you got the old girl up and running, at least you know the engine is a good runner and she should go well in a 116, maybe even as quick as a D jet 450 :-)
nothing like a degreased engine! looks good. but that is one very sorry looking 126. has that been sitting in someones paddock for a while?!
They get like that parked under tree's too Nathan, I went and had a look at a pair of 126's I was told were 116's and they were very mucky.
You are going to be a busy boy Robert.
Best of Luck.
Just watch coolant weep into a bore hasn't removed the nicasil lining.
Bill
I am thinking of dropping the 5Ltr M117 motor into this very tidy 123 sedan that I have parked in the shed? What do you think?
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/36219-1/IMGP3899.jpg)(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/36272-1/IMGP3892.jpg)take this one out
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/38858-1/IMGP4286.JPG)put this one in
I spoke to John Green from MB Spares today re this project and he tells me that they have done a couple of 5Ltr transplants into 123 sedans.
Apparently the 123 engine bay is wider than the 126 so that engine mount spacers are required to accomodate the V8?
Hell id do it!
A W123 5.0 will turn a few heads and should be a heap of fun.
there are some youtube vids of crazy people who have done this. however, if the 123 if nice and genuine, id be tempted to leave as is and find another one thats not so healthy!
This project starts tomorrow ( Sunday morning ). and yes Nathan the blue 123 is too good to sacrifice ( I'm still a purest at heart ). so I am going to use another 123 sedan as a mule, its one the I bought 2 years ago as a parts car. It is in drivable condition with some non essential bits removed.
I will be able to experiment as I go, and no big deal if I make a hash of it.
Before starting the project I want to test the V8 for compression, I've been told it is a 9:1 c/r motor so what should it test at in "psi" ?
any input would be appreciated.
.
One of John Green's mechanics is doing the same conversion into his W123. Last time I spoke to him he only had the wiring harness to go. Lots of first hand advice there if need be as you go through your conversion I would say.
The result of the compression test showed the motor to be in good condition.
After a 5 minute warm up, tested as per the manual, allow 8 rotations with the starter motor
The variation was between 160 and 170psi as follows
right bank 160,165,170,165
left bank 170,170,160,165
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39005-1/IMGP4291.jpg)
now to get on with the removal
Up she goes,
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39041-1/IMGP4310.jpg)
Exhaust came off in one piece without any bother
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39017-1/IMGP4312.jpg)
she is a big mother
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39022-1/IMGP4321.jpg)
all in one peice
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39029-1/IMGP4322.jpg)
ready for the next step, might be a few days before I can get to it
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39034-1/IMGP4324.jpg)
Very nice results. 8)
I still need to do a compression test on the ECE 560.
Tim
hey Tim, it will be interesting to compare the compression with your 560, was it a local car or import?
The 560 is a 10:1 UK import, so it would be a good comparison.
Tim
Nice work!
Just as a matter of interest is that a Radum hoist?
I have been looking at their 3.2 ton unit for the shed.
.
good one Dave,
The comp test was done late saturday afternoon, (after work)
Sunday morning I had to maneuver the heavy 126 with no steering column into the shed,
it took the range rover, a 10m chain, a floor jack and a 2 wheel trolley and a lot of pushing and cursing to get it in.
actual time from car going on hoist to engine out was about 4 hours.
:)
Tony the hoist I purchased from "TuffLift", the name on it is "Tellamant"
it has a 4000kg rating, i'm happy with it
Thanks Robert, it looks like a unit im contemplating for the new refurbished barn.
.
The hoist is the best money I've every spent, It turns horrible jobs into fun.
this has been my 3rd motor removal Dave, they have been a 450 out of the pumpkin, a 350 from a south African import and this one. I would have to say that your effort with a 6.9 was pretty good going.
Heh RD,
what is the device you wheel the engine on, is it a specific engine transport trolley? i need about 3 of tehse things but havent seen them at the usual cheapo motor shops?
regards
nathan
Quote from: robertd on 25 June 2012, 06:18 AM
The hoist is the best money I've every spent, It turns horrible jobs into fun.
this has been my 3rd motor removal Dave, they have been a 450 out of the pumpkin, a 350 from a south African import and this one. I would have to say that your effort with a 6.9 was pretty good going.
I had a Bishamon 4 tonner but couldn't be bothered dragging it home when I shut the shop because it has a 3 phase motor, I then spent the next 5 years kicking myself lol
Hey Nat,
that trolley is a simple a piece of 3/4" marine ply bolted to the bottom rolling frame of a useless "supercheap" engine stand that I dismantled. It sagged with the weight of a 450 motor on it. think it cost @ $40
it was cheaper than buying the 4 wheels and tube frame separately
does anyone know where I could find the actual weight of individual motors ie. I would like to find how much heavier the 5ltr m117 motor is compared to the 2.8ltr M110
I have in the past used Livestock scales to determine the weights of an engine, Know any cow or sheep cockies?
Hey tony,
my neighbour is a retired dairy Farmer I asked him how he would weigh a cow if he had to.
His response was quite interesting, he had a specially calibrated tape measure that he would wind around the belly of the beast and it had weight increments per inch? he said it was very accurate for cows.
He suggested I try that?
well I asked the question.
.
RD,
before i put the m117 in the gwagen, i drove the 280ge over the weighbridge at the rubbish tip with full tank of fuel.
after finishing the engine transplant, i did the same fully fueled. the difference in weight was 150kg!!!
the only difference is that i had also taken off the bumper bar which was 80kg.
so i make the m117 500 to be 70 kg lighter than the m110 280
thats my guestimate
regards
nathan
Quote from: Major Tom 6.9 on 27 June 2012, 06:02 AM
Quote from: robertd on 27 June 2012, 06:00 AM
His response was quite interesting, he had a specially calibrated tape measure that he would wind around the belly of the beast and it had weight increments per inch? he said it was very accurate for cows.
He suggested I try that?
well I asked the question.
I wonder if it works on mother in laws too
PHILISTINES!
I have weigh bars and a head unit good for 500 kg and I place them in a race with a board over top n run my sheep over it, Most dairy farmers working in the modern age will have a similar unit but good for 1500 kg and beef guys will definitely have scales.
You can borrow mine as I only use em twice a year but considering it takes me 90 mins to get to Mt Martha to see my Lil Bro its probably a long trip just to weigh an engine.
As for you Major Tom.........
Dont be silly, everyone knows you use a Sow tape for Mutha in Laws...........
Quote from: robertd on 26 June 2012, 09:23 PM
does anyone know where I could find the actual weight of individual motors ie. I would like to find how much heavier the 5ltr m117 motor is compared to the 2.8ltr M110
I'd contact the shipping department at adsitco in Muncie Indiana - they sell lots of long blocks and could give you accurate shipping weights for various types of engines.
http://www.adsitco.com/
Hey guys,
I used some deductive reasoning!I looked through the mercedes collectors guide and compared the tare weight from two models as follows.
W126 280SE weight 1610kg with the M110 iron block motor
W126 500SE weight 1670kg with the M117 all alloy motor
therefore all other things being equal the 5ltr alloy V8 is only 60kg heavier the the in line iron block 2.8ltr 6 cylinder.
RD
Makes sense to me Robert!
Either way a test run will tell you.
A W123 CE 5L manual would be real nice, but finding a good donor with a blown motor would be difficult. And I'd be very reluctant to rip out a good original engine.....
Quote from: oversize on 01 July 2012, 06:01 PM
A W123 CE 5L manual would be real nice, but finding a good donor with a blown motor would be difficult. And I'd be very reluctant to rip out a good original engine.....
That's a real slow project I've got brewing on the back burner (well, probably not manual), as the original engine is knocking badly in my red 300CD. I figure a 5.6 or 6.9 should be real interesting in that chassis...
Rob, nice project!
The M117 engine is only about 15kg heavier than the M110. The 70Kg or so quoted in the cars is made up from the bigger battery, exhaust, transmission, cooling system and starting torque compensation on the rear axle for the 500.
Your 500 in interesting. I see you don't have electronic idle control so that must make it a pre-1981 update, so you have the 240 HP version. The engine should be a 117.960.
CJ