350SE - do I need to take these heads off?

[s class]

Used motors are available, somewhat.  350 engines are around, but will all be very high mileage units needing rebuilding anyway.  A 450 engine can be had from a 450SLC (we didn;t get 450SE/L), but again it will have at least 200 000km and be pretty much unknown. 

At this stage I think we are better off sticking with what we have rather than taking a gamble. 

[WGB]

I am sure when you have finished it will be perfect.

That's the line I have been trying to take fix it properly once and it may last another 30 years.

Bill

[s class]

I've just discovered some not-so-nice prices. 

Pistons are about $450 each for std or 1st oversize, 2nd oversize is NLA. 
big end shell set is $320
mains are $180
thrust bearing is $140, and only 4th repair size is available. 
block gasket kit is $407.

Add to that head gasket kits, chain, guides, tensoner for another $300 or so, and lots of engineering to fix the block, get the cam pedistal to head interface problems sorted and this is adding up a bit. 

[TJ 450]

Wow, those piston prices are nearly as much as for the M100 equivalents, if I remember correctly.

Are these dealer prices? If purchasing from the US is an option, you could try searching for the part numbers at World Impex. They will order in genuine MB parts and seem to be cost effective for most things. I have ordered my 190E engine parts from this mob, and I have an engine that was never sold in the USA.

Tim

[s class]

Yes, those are main dealer prices.  I thought I would start there to see what they want for all the goodies.  Obviously those piston prices are prohibitive, so I am looking at alternatives. 

[calvin streeting]

there are a few on ebay.. mostly in germany so postage is realy going to hurt..

bad luck.

Link

[s class]

Thanks, but importing a whole motor is just not going to work.  I am going to approach our local alternative-channel engine parts supplier A.E. www.alertengineparts.co.za

[s class]

Finally an update -

Pistons are NLA from MB - that includes standard, 1st and 2nd oversize.  Mahle and KS couldn't help either.  We ended up sourcing good used pistons from a donor engine, and sleeving the block back to standard.  I finally have the subassembly back from engineering :



It cost $2000 to get to this point. 
I spent another $1000 on gaskets, chain, sprockets etc.  I still need t have the heads engineered, and the anticipated bill there is about $750 for the two. 



Thats the donor engine block also loaded in my trailer



And the rest of the donor engine.....

[Tony66_au]

Bloody hell what a shitfight!

The good side is that the engine will outlive the car.