I will be putting an MB Diesel in my SX4 frame one day (Lord willing), and will be looking for a T5. I am pretty sure I will not find a 3550 (or be able to afford one if I did). I found an aluminum bell housing from an early 240 4 speed that will bolt up to my 4 or 5 cyl MB Diesel engine. The bell is fairly short, so there is plenty of length on the T5 input shaft to fit a nice thick aluminum adapter plate.
Actually, I am thinking of just using the whole body (1980 MB 240D) and putting it on my existing SX4 frame. It will not be an Eagle anymore, but a 4X4 Mercedes Benz 240D (that started life as a custom built full framed SX4). I am just looking for ideas as to making the engine work with available transmissions (T5 & NV3550 seem like the only available choice right now).
The other reason for this thread is to make the research available to others that may want to re-power their Eagle with an MB Diesel engine. As far as I can tell, only a manual trans will work with this combo. The MB automatics would necessitate the use of a "divorced" transfer case, as there are no MB trans tail shafts/housings that bolt up to any available transfer case. As far as I know, all MB TC's are divorced (G wagon and Unimog). The only available bell housing that I know of that will work comes from an early (up to 1978?) 240 4 speed with an iron case. The later transmissions are all aluminum (bell and case in one piece). Photos:
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k13/rollguy/100_0958.jpg)
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k13/rollguy/100_0961.jpg)
These guys have an adapter to use an AX15. http://mercedesdiesel4x4.com/OM617AdapterKits.aspx I considered it in the past, but after driving some of the company's diesel trucks cross country, I decided gas was for me. Too noisy and sometimes hard to find diesel. I'd like to see a 240d 4x4. ;D
There's a guy over at the TDI message boards who made adapters from the VW 1.9 turbo diesel to an AMC bell pattern, I believe he had an AW4 in a Cherokee.
I don't know much about the Mercedes engines. Are they all naturally aspirated?
Quote from: BenM on March 07, 2012, 01:13:57 AM
There's a guy over at the TDI message boards who made adapters from the VW 1.9 turbo diesel to an AMC bell pattern, I believe he had an AW4 in a Cherokee.
I don't know much about the Mercedes engines. Are they all naturally aspirated?
The 4 cyl (240D) are all N/A, and some 5 cyl (pre-'82 300D & TD). The best one is the OM 617 TURBODIESEL found in 1978-1985 300SD, and 1982-1985 300D & TD.
Quote from: eaglefreek on March 06, 2012, 03:12:03 PM
These guys have an adapter to use an AX15. http://mercedesdiesel4x4.com/OM617AdapterKits.aspx I considered it in the past, but after driving some of the company's diesel trucks cross country, I decided gas was for me. Too noisy and sometimes hard to find diesel. I'd like to see a 240d 4x4. ;D
Thanks for the link! I am glad someone else has done the R&D. However, I am a cheapskate, and may just try my idea out first. It may end up costing more in the long run, but I am willing to try first, and maybe learn something. There are T5's out there that are cheaper than AX15's, so I may be able to do it cheaper. It is nice to have another option though, and I may end up ordering the kit anyway! The question is, does the T5 and AX15 share the same output shaft size and spline count? I know a Dana 300 TC will bolt directly to a 998 with no mods, so I assume the Dana 300 will bolt to an AX15 with no mods as well.
With more research and measuring done, the adapter from Koch Enterprises seems the best way to go, and one will be ordered soon. I already have the AX15, and most everything else I need. Stay tuned!
Good luck with this Rollguy! I'm looking forward to following your progress!
I got to see an '82 5 cylinder turbodiesel wagon up close for the first time the other day. Looks like a viable engine swap, at least in terms of size. Sure won't see any power increase, maybe a little better on gas mileage though. Good luck, it will be interesting to see this complete!
No maybe about it. Should get close to 30 mpg
I've always wanted a diesel Eagle. Very interested in your progress. MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!
Quote from: mach1mustang351 on July 01, 2012, 06:09:10 PM
I've always wanted a diesel Eagle. Very interested in your progress. MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!
Actually, it will not be a Diesel Eagle. I will be using the frame and suspension from my old SX4 (avatar photo), and making a M B Diesel sedan 4X4. The only real Diesel Eagles were very rare (I had one, Rambler Ranch has it now). If I were to make one, it would have an M B 5 cyl engine. I don't know if anyone else has done a Diesel Eagle conversion yet (other than the 5 or so done in 1980), but I would like to see one done and documented here.
Quote from: rollguy on July 01, 2012, 11:38:58 PM
Quote from: mach1mustang351 on July 01, 2012, 06:09:10 PM
I've always wanted a diesel Eagle. Very interested in your progress. MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!
Actually, it will not be a Diesel Eagle. I will be using the frame and suspension from my old SX4 (avatar photo), and making a M B Diesel sedan 4X4. The only real Diesel Eagles were very rare (I had one, Rambler Ranch has it now). If I were to make one, it would have an M B 5 cyl engine. I don't know if anyone else has done a Diesel Eagle conversion yet (other than the 5 or so done in 1980), but I would like to see one done and documented here.
It will end up having a diesel in it... close enough for me.
I was looking at an '80 Gwagen yesterday for $6,000 but it had rust issues (less than an eastern car, but still not impressing me) It was non-turbo 4 speed so 20 MPG is what it would get average. A 300TD motor and 5 speed would be nice, but I have a house to pay for. (to build that is)
Captspillane is also working on his SD33T Turbodiesel Eagle, along with a 401 V8 SX/4, Spirit-to-Eagle conversion, and MANY other projects. He will definitely have it documented here when it's finished, though I'm not sure how much free time he will have to do it along the way. I'd say it's probably going to be a year or two until that's complete, but it should be awfully cool when it is. I'm personally awaiting the 401 conversion, I can't wait to see an SX/4 with almost 400hp. I forget which one he's using for the Eagle, but he has a stock 401 to rebuild and a nearly perfect hi-po 401 to assemble.
I love these build threads, so neat to see how creative people can be!
Quote from: Baskinator on July 03, 2012, 12:45:09 AM
Captspillane is also working on his SD33T Turbodiesel Eagle, along with a 401 V8 SX/4, Spirit-to-Eagle conversion, and MANY other projects. He will definitely have it documented here when it's finished, though I'm not sure how much free time he will have to do it along the way. I'd say it's probably going to be a year or two until that's complete, but it should be awfully cool when it is. I'm personally awaiting the 401 conversion, I can't wait to see an SX/4 with almost 400hp. I forget which one he's using for the Eagle, but he has a stock 401 to rebuild and a nearly perfect hi-po 401 to assemble.
I love these build threads, so neat to see how creative people can be!
I have been following his threads.
I'm also following yours, Rollguy. Good luck with this swap! Thanks for sharing the information and progress you make. The fact that someone has already taken the time to develop the swap kit is a big deal to me. Thanks for finding that link! If the mating of the AMC flywheel and bellhousing to the back of the Mercedes Diesel works well for you with his kit then it is a game-changer. The Mercedes engine would be a better swap than my SD33T in terms of parts availability. The SD33T is also very common, but not in the United States. I'm seriously thinking about taking several of my "rescue" Eagle bodies and converting them to Mercedes power using two donor Mercedes cars a friend of mine is selling at scrap value.
Phil was dead on about it taking me at least a year to start on my turbodiesel SX4 because I am still using my SD33T Scout for that long. It is the donor for the engine once I take that off the road for its own engine swap. This thread has me thinking about doing a Mercedes conversion first and then selling it once I finally have my Scout and the SD33T Eagle finished. I'm steadfast on using the SD33T because I already have two of them and love that AMC installed the SD33T in a small number of export vehicles they made, so it is reasonable to say that it is the engine they would have chosen if they had decided to make a turbodiesel Eagle back in 1982.
I do object to one thing Phil said.... "almost 400 HP." The 401 I'm installing in my SX4 right now is already built and ready to install at 435 HP and 478 Torque. Those numbers are calculated given the exact blue printed measurements taken during construction. My recent engagement has put progress at a standstill, but my fiance and I are actually going to work together to complete it this summer. We're excited about it.
Quote from: captspillane on July 05, 2012, 03:38:09 PM
I'm also following yours, Rollguy. Good luck with this swap! Thanks for sharing the information and progress you make. The fact that someone has already taken the time to develop the swap kit is a big deal to me. Thanks for finding that link! If the mating of the AMC flywheel and bellhousing to the back of the Mercedes Diesel works well for you with his kit then it is a game-changer. The Mercedes engine would be a better swap than my SD33T in terms of parts availability. The SD33T is also very common, but not in the United States. I'm seriously thinking about taking several of my "rescue" Eagle bodies and converting them to Mercedes power using two donor Mercedes cars a friend of mine is selling at scrap value.
Actually, Eaglefreak found the link for me. I have the adapter ordered, and should arrive soon. They also have an adapter for the 998/904. I am not sure what the difference would be, but the price is the same. Given the rarity of your Scout, I would leave it stock if it were mine. Yes the OM617 MB engine is very plentiful and inexpensive. If you have a source for donor vehicles, then you are ahead of me in that respect. Being in CA, the running vehicles still have good bodies. There would be more engine/trans donor cars available in the rust belt.
I will post some photos when parts start arriving....Rich
Quote from: rollguy on June 28, 2012, 04:11:23 PM
With more research and measuring done, the adapter from Koch Enterprises seems the best way to go, and one will be ordered soon. I already have the AX15, and most everything else I need. Stay tuned!
Got the adapter today. It is well made and should work good. It will sure save me a lot of work, and also would work great for re-powering an Eagle with a 5 cyl MB Diesel engine. Koch Enterprises has similar adapter plates that will work with the 999(998), AX5, and AW4.
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k13/rollguy/Benz/100_1231.jpg)
A few have done XJ and MJ swaps with that kit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7P6Dg7vflKg&NR=1
http://comancheclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=32798
Bump...
I had totally forgotten about this thread from about 3 years ago. I'm curious as to where these projects stand. Capt., I live where IH Scouts were once quite plentiful but have seen only one with the Nissan diesel, and I was too broke to buy it :banghead: And Rollguy, most (all?) of your diesels run on biodiesel AIRC. I would guess this one, if you complete it, will also. :eagle:
I took my Scout off the road about two weeks ago. I was going to use my second SD33T in the Eagle but it is frozen. I'll keep it to rebuild down the road but for now the one in my Scout is in great shape and doesn't need a full rebuild. I'll pull it and use it for that. It is too tiny of a diesel for the Scout but will work beautifully in an Eagle. I'll be fixing the Scout up first, however, so the diesel Eagle must wait until my Scout comes in and goes back out with its new organs.
I was originally going to put it in a Spirited converted to be an Eagle. I'm now putting it in a 1980 station wagon. I'll end up using it for long trips so I want to be able to sleep in the back. I also want to conform to the strictest interpretation of the PA emissions requirments. Since the SD33T is coming from a 1980 model year Scout it can go in a 1980 Eagle without a problem no matter how strict the inspector is. Most wouldn't care but I like knowing it doesn't matter.