300D turbo diesel into F350 swap

[bubbahzanetti]

Hey all
Anybody ever done this one? Mercedes 300D turbo and automatic into a 80's F350? My IDI is getting tired.....Sounds simple, but would it have the power to push the truck with 4:10 gears?

 

[Diesel JD]

I doubt it, it was pretty slow even in the 300D. I'm sure it would do the job and be reliable but I bet it would be really sloooow.

 

[The Warden]

I doubt it, it was pretty slow even in the 300D. I'm sure it would do the job and be reliable but I bet it would be really sloooow.

I'm not sure about the reliability part. The OM617's a great engine, but it wasn't designed to push a 7,000lb truck around (a M-B W123 chassis weighs about 4,000lbs and is a LOT more streamlined)...I tend to think that a 617 in that application would end up being so overstrained that it would fail prematurely. And, in the course of this, you'd probably end up with worse fuel economy than the IDI gives you. And, as JD said, almost no power whatsoever.

I still think the 617 would make a great engine for a compact pickup, though

 

[f-two-fiddy]

What about a SD?

 

[The Warden]

What about a SD?

The SD's not that much heavier...about 100lbs difference.

If you're referring to the engine, the 300D and the 300SD used the same engine...some slight differences for the different chassis cars, but same power output, cylinder bore and stroke, etc.

 

[Michael Fowler]

IIRC, the turbo 3 liter 5 cylinder put about about 125-132 HP.
The non turbo 6.9 in my F250 is rated at 185 HP. I think that is under-powered. How much worse would it be with 1/3 less HP?
OTOH, my '82 300SD gets just about 29mpg. I do not believe the weight is anywhere near 4000 lbs--there is a lot of aluminum in the car.

 

[typ4]

check this out
http://www.schumanautomotive.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=19

 

[The Warden]

OTOH, my '82 300SD gets just about 29mpg. I do not believe the weight is anywhere near 4000 lbs--there is a lot of aluminum in the car.

I just looked on that list I put together...I forgot until just now that the curb weight was listed for most of the cars.

I was off a bit...the 300D"s curb weight is 3,515 lbs, and the 300SD's curb weight is 3,625 lbs. Not quite 4K, but IIRC it's still more than a "normal" car...

Russ, I admit to being surprised...I've actually spoken with the webmaster from your site before. He posts (or, at least, used to post) on Mercedesshop...I didn't realize he had started up his own site.

 

[Dieselguy123]

What cars did these engines come in? Would they work good in a 1/2 ton? Just curious

 

[The Warden]

What cars did these engines come in? Would they work good in a 1/2 ton? Just curious

Take a look here and here. The 617 was also found in a few old-style G-class sport utility vehicles, but nothing bigger. IIRC the diesel Unimogs used a larger engine.

I really don't think this engine's suited for a full-size truck in any form, to be honest...

 

[RLDSL]

If you stick one in, you'd better lay in a supply of good shoes, cause you're going to be wearin' them out pushing that thing over hills

-------Robert

 

[Dieselguy123]

Just thought it would be cool to stick a smaller 6 cyl diesel in say a early 90's f150 2wd reg cab short bed?

 

[6.9poweredscout]

i went 4 wheeling with a guy that had an International Wagonmaster (4 door short box pickup) with a 5 cyl Mercades in it. it was gutless... in 4WD Lo (no idea rear end ratio) it could barley get the tires spinning in slick mud, it was working just to move! i'd stick with the 6.9/7.3.

-Jon

 

[typ4]

Russ, I admit to being surprised...I've actually spoken with the webmaster from your site before. He posts (or, at least, used to post) on Mercedesshop...I didn't realize he had started up his own site.[/QUOTE]



The moderator on that superturbo forum is my son. He is in the process of building a SD engine to really rock and roll, of course I am helping him.

 

[Diesel JD]

I don't know much about the Mercedes motors, just heard good things....I thought it was an interesting thread sand wanted to keep it going since no one had posted. I honestly think you probably need a V8 or I-6 diesel or big gas motor to really move a truck as big as a 250. Not saying the smaller motor won't do it, I just don't think anyone would like the results...and as Tim said, what will be the results of making that motor push almost twice the weight it was designed to push?