Topic: W123 diesel engine swap help needed

So the 300D engine is in our 240D  with the manual trans from the 240 attached. Had to hack up and weld the trans support and shift linkage because the trans now sits 3.75" back from where it was. What do I use for the driveshaft? The 240 shaft is too long and my drive shaft guy says that it can't be cut and welded, and the 300D auto drive shaft looks different. Was there a 300D manual and would that work?

Everybody grab your brooms, it's shenanigans!

Re: W123 diesel engine swap help needed

There was never a manual 300D in the US, not sure about Europe.  What about the current shaft makes it impossible to weld?

Chris from 3 Pedal Mafia

Re: W123 diesel engine swap help needed

Metal chop saw, miter box, and welder.  Then take it to a driveshaft shop and have it balanced.

Tunachuckers: 15 Years of Effluency
'08 - '10: 1966 Volvo 122, "Charlie"
'10 - '18: 1975 Ford LTD Landau --> 2018 - current: Converted into 1950 "Plymford"
'22 - current: 1967 Volvo 122, "Charlie ]["

Re: W123 diesel engine swap help needed

Sonic wrote:

There was never a manual 300D in the US, not sure about Europe.  What about the current shaft makes it impossible to weld?

There were absolutely 300D manuals in Europe.  A few of them wash up on our shores, too.  Might be able to get a 300D manny tranny driveshaft on ebay, but since you've already done the relocation of the drivetrain, no idea whether that's how much MB would have done it in a stock 300D manny tranny.

Tunachuckers: 15 Years of Effluency
'08 - '10: 1966 Volvo 122, "Charlie"
'10 - '18: 1975 Ford LTD Landau --> 2018 - current: Converted into 1950 "Plymford"
'22 - current: 1967 Volvo 122, "Charlie ]["

Re: W123 diesel engine swap help needed

https://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/cto/ … 20417.html

https://images.craigslist.org/00V0V_dA2WkL3n45m_600x450.jpg

Tunachuckers: 15 Years of Effluency
'08 - '10: 1966 Volvo 122, "Charlie"
'10 - '18: 1975 Ford LTD Landau --> 2018 - current: Converted into 1950 "Plymford"
'22 - current: 1967 Volvo 122, "Charlie ]["

Re: W123 diesel engine swap help needed

The driveshaft guy said that because it was hollow with crimped ends, he couldn't weld it. I have no idea if that is true or not.

Everybody grab your brooms, it's shenanigans!

Re: W123 diesel engine swap help needed

So after talking to a few driveshaft shops, there is something about the way it is made that means you can't cut and weld it like a good 'Murican drive shaft. I either have to find a 300D manual shaft or send it to a specialist in SC who has the equipment to shorten it. He doesn't charge any more than my local driveshaft guy, so that's probably the route that I'll take.

Everybody grab your brooms, it's shenanigans!

Re: W123 diesel engine swap help needed

Is that specialist Carolina Driveline?  If so, I've used those guys in the past.  Well recommended.  They fabbed up a custom aluminum shaft for an industrial application I was working on a few years back.  Top notch work.

Tunachuckers: 15 Years of Effluency
'08 - '10: 1966 Volvo 122, "Charlie"
'10 - '18: 1975 Ford LTD Landau --> 2018 - current: Converted into 1950 "Plymford"
'22 - current: 1967 Volvo 122, "Charlie ]["

Re: W123 diesel engine swap help needed

Yeah, that's the place my local drive shaft guy recommended. I called them and they knew exactly what I needed and said it would be no problem. I've got a Mercedes/BMW mechanic that I know checking his garage today, and one of our drivers found an old 300D shell on CL for $50 that we're going to check out in a couple of days, but it will probably go to Carolina Driveline.

I'm really hoping to have the electric car V3 ready for CMP fall, but that's a lot of work and my custom charger hasn't arrived yet, so we may be rolling in the Mercedes. Of course there's also the 'Vette, but it probably won't debut until next year. Too many projects, too little time.

Everybody grab your brooms, it's shenanigans!

Re: W123 diesel engine swap help needed

rmcdaniels wrote:

So after talking to a few driveshaft shops, there is something about the way it is made that means you can't cut and weld it like a good 'Murican drive shaft. ......


Hate to burst any bubbles, but not all 'Merican drive shafts can be cut and welded.  Don't know about others, but at least SOME Ford shafts from the 70's have an inner metal tube with rubber between it and the outer tube, making it nearly impossible to cut/weld.



Bill

2020 I.O.E. CT #36 The Rootes Of All Evil,1958 Sunbeam Rapier Convertible (YES 1958!!) & 2019 Judges Choice NJMP
2016 Thompson Speedway #36 Sabrina Duncan's Revenge, IOE Trophy, 5th Place 'C' Class 1977 Ford Pinto
2009 Stafford Motor Speedway #16 Team Teflon, 11th Place (overall) 1997 Saturn SL2

Re: W123 diesel engine swap help needed

Driveline specialist, come on this is Lemons.  Just copy the off road guys, get some square tube and weld on yokes.

http://toyotaoffroad.com/Articles/Proje … line07.JPG

If it doesn't have 2 doors, 3 pedals, and 5 lug nuts per wheel - It isn't a real race car

Re: W123 diesel engine swap help needed

Or machine an adapter to go from the stub with the u-joints to the tube without the crimp.  Weld, have balanced and go racin'.

Nick

Nick
Focke Ewe racing -> Muttonheads! Racing -> Torque Junkies
86ish VW GTI...now with TDI Powah!

Re: W123 diesel engine swap help needed

Two janky suggestions:

Why can't you / they just salvage the ends and replace the whole shaft?

Now for the jankyness:

Make an adapter for the differential end and another for the tailshaft end. Convert to the yokes of your choice.

Re: W123 diesel engine swap help needed

fnord wrote:

TNow for the jankyness:

Make an adapter for the differential end and another for the tailshaft end. Convert to the yokes of your choice.

We did this for the 1948 Plymouth with a Ford Explorer 8.8 rear.  Worked OK but the non-universal joints in the driveshaft took a hit by the end of race and started vibrating.  In short..flange, other flange...roll cage tubing between.   Exceptional alignment required.

Re: W123 diesel engine swap help needed

I was going to send it out for shortening today, but my mechanic just found a used shaft from a German 5-cyl non-turbo manual car that looks like it's the right length. This thing could be back on the road tomorrow.

Everybody grab your brooms, it's shenanigans!

Re: W123 diesel engine swap help needed

Took a few days, but the drive shaft and shift linkage from the 5-cyl manual did the trick. Since we still don't have all the parts for our series-hybrid EV yet, it looks like we'll be racing this at CMP.

Everybody grab your brooms, it's shenanigans!

17 (edited by mechimike 2017-10-17 07:06 AM)

Re: W123 diesel engine swap help needed

This could be your theme for the next race with the W123.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/G1wmrNE_SKk

Tunachuckers: 15 Years of Effluency
'08 - '10: 1966 Volvo 122, "Charlie"
'10 - '18: 1975 Ford LTD Landau --> 2018 - current: Converted into 1950 "Plymford"
'22 - current: 1967 Volvo 122, "Charlie ]["