Mercedes W123 engine swapover question

Esel

Any of you Merc heads know if it is a straightforward job to swap a 102 series 2 litre engine from a W123 200 into a W123 230 that presently has the old straight six engine (aluminium rocker cover type)?

I know that Merc swaps are supposed to be relatively simple, but will all the engine extras fit etc? Have a full donor 200 with very sweet engine, auto box; everything except shell in very good nick..

Recommendations for who to get to do this job and approx cost?

Esel

speed bump! :eek:

8~)

I think it should be straightforward and there's be no messing with fuel injection given the 200 is a carb (the 230 is also a carb, right?). Surely the same bodyshell across the range, engine mount points, etc.

Is the 230 engine worn or is there another reason to change. I've a 200T as a daily driver and while it pulls along reasonably well my previous two 230TE autos were a sight swifter with little or no difference in fuel consumption. I've no experience of a 230 carb though.

Regarding who to do it - where are you located?

Esel

8~) - Thanks for your reply.

The main reason I want to install the smaller engine is running cost - cheaper road tax, insurance and running costs. I would have thought that the 2 litre 4-cyl engine would be a lot less thirsty? But maybe if the existing is good, I can check the consumption and get various insurance quotes - maybe the extra costs will balance against the cost of doing the engine swap over a few years.

The donor car I have is parked in my front garden for a few years now, and I am under severe pressure to get rid of it! I really love the engine in it though - spent a fair few bob rebuilding it, and it's absolutely 100%. Gearbox is also great. My plan would be to have the old car parked up in a relation's farm shed for future parts donation - all the running gear, diffs, linkages etc. are A1.

I am in Dublin btw. I know of Terry Jackson, but he is pretty expensive. Maybe a competent local mechanic would be up to the job - after all, there should be little or no mechanical work involved - just fitting? Pretty sure the 230-6 is carb, but will check that out.

Paul (MN)

Try John Keaney in Glasnevin. Sound guy and knows all about those Merc engines. Last I heard he wasn't charging much per hour... but he probably won't quote you.... he'll just accept the job and charge you whatever it takes.

8~)

230-6... in that case forget what I said (typed?) about fuel economy. I was referring to the 230e 4 cyl engine.

What year is your car if it's got the 230-6 engine fitted - must be an early one?

BTW, with the 200 engine I reckon I just about get 30mpg in rural driving, going easy.

Esel

Paul, thanks for that. Heard John Keaney is good. Think I read on a thread here recently that at the moment he is short of mechanics and is only taking jobs from regular customers?

8~), the 230 is 1980.

mike65

Hi

I don't think this will be worth the trouble/money, the 123 series is heavy enough to warrent the extra power of the 2.3 engine. Swiching to a
102 2.0ltr won't give you any better fuel economy as you'll end up with the economy gauge spending more time in the red. The insurance diff is minimal and any engine swap has the potential for annoying snags.

If you want to run this past some veteran Merc-heads check out this forum.

Mike.

Esel

Mike, thanks for the link!

I am mainly worried about fuel consumption on the old 6-cylinder engine (as well as higher tax and probably insurance as well). I drove my W123 200 for a number of years, and was happy enough with the power/fuel consumption. Also, as I said, I love the 2 litre engine I have sitting there!