Today I picked up a 'free' Mercedes engine. Folks
moving, and needed to get rid of it. They said it was
out of an SL, but other than that didn't know much
about it (belonged to their Dad, since passed away).
I've got a '73 SLC, so I thought it might be good to have
some spare parts. After unloading it, I noticed a couple
of things that are different. The biggie is that its got
mechanical fuel injection, not electronic like my SLC.
It has a smog pump, so I figure it must be post 1973.
Cast iron block and aluminum heads. Valve covers
appear to be the same as my SLC. Another difference
is the size of the intake plenum. Its easily 50% larger
than my 450 engine.
Other than the things I mentioned, its identical to
my 450 engine.
Could this be a 560 engine? Did the SL's or SLC's
ever use mechanical FI? I didn't think so, but this
is the only Mercedes I've owned, so I'm no expert.
Steve
T.G. Lambach - 19 Mar 2006 05:32 GMT
350 V-8?
There must be an engine number on its block - left side.
mdsimon80 - 19 Mar 2006 08:33 GMT
This is a 4.5L engine because the 3.8L, and 5.6L engines have aluminum
engine blocks. It probably is a 1976 4.5L engine because electric
injection was updated to mechanical continuous fuel injection type in
1976. Also the engine oil sump pan was a one piece sump in the SL, and
was a two piece in the SLC, and the SEL models. The valve covers on the
3.8L, and 5.6L are different than the 4.5L, they have designs on the
top of the covers where the 4.5L is plain looking.
James O'Riley - 19 Mar 2006 13:35 GMT
> This is a 4.5L engine because the 3.8L, and 5.6L engines have aluminum
> engine blocks. It probably is a 1976 4.5L engine because electric
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> 3.8L, and 5.6L are different than the 4.5L, they have designs on the
> top of the covers where the 4.5L is plain looking.
Do you know if the E 320 has mechanical or electrical? It's a 2002 4-Matic.
Steve - 19 Mar 2006 16:13 GMT
Thanks, this is exactly what I was looking for.
I'm going to pull the heads today to see if
the cylinders are damaged. At the very least
I'll get a lot of good parts, and hopefully a
pair of heads to stash away.
Steve
> This is a 4.5L engine because the 3.8L, and 5.6L engines have aluminum
> engine blocks. It probably is a 1976 4.5L engine because electric
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> 3.8L, and 5.6L are different than the 4.5L, they have designs on the
> top of the covers where the 4.5L is plain looking.
mdsimon80 - 20 Mar 2006 00:11 GMT
The cylinder heads on these engines are pretty much bullet proof. I
have not seen anything in the way of excessive warpage. The camshafts,
camshaft rockers, and the camshaft sprockets are things to inspect on
both engines. If the valves are bent from a broken chain, both the
valves and the valve guides are replaceable. These engines are so tough
that even after the chain brakes and pistons hit the valves and put
marks in the top of the pistons the heads can be repaired and bolted
back on. I believe you will have the following parts from the heads
that can be transferred to you engine. Camshafts, camshaft rockers, cam
towers, chain sprokets, and oil tubes mounted above the towers. The
valve guides and oil seals seem to cause the most problems with these
engines. The valve guides ware and even new valve stem seals will not
remedy the oil consumption problem. Depending on the way the intake and
exhaust ports are located it could be possible to simply swap heads
when this oil consumption problem happens to your present engine.
Have fun.
Richard Sexton - 21 Mar 2006 15:49 GMT
>Today I picked up a 'free' Mercedes engine. Folks
>moving, and needed to get rid of it. They said it was
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>ever use mechanical FI? I didn't think so, but this
>is the only Mercedes I've owned, so I'm no expert.
The 560 engine is alloy, not iron. Big? large plenum?
Sounds like a 6.3 engine.

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