[AnimatedDirt]

I've had a '94 E320 for quite some time now. It's been in the family since new. As of today, the car has over 268k miles. I've had to replace the engine harness and have done some minor repairs, but nothing major...until recently. My reverse gear had been failing and now has gone kaput. I can still drive forward and it still drives very nice...quick. But I have to be careful and remember I cannot just pull into a parking spot without pulling all the way through to be able to leave where ever I'm at.

A friend of mine also had the same year and model car. His, just yesterday, went kaput with a cracked engine block! That car has 198k miles and a still decent transmission. A kind friend is he that he sold me his car for $1.00. Yup...not a typo. $1.00 I wrote him a check, to be able to prove the transaction is legit and now I have a nice car to swap engines with. His is in a bit nicer condition overall and my son likes that his is black ( our is green ) and prefers the black.

So I've not called around yet, but I live in the Pasadena, CA area. What am I looking at for swapping out the engines out the door? Do the shops charge extra to also move the cooling system or is that something that would normally be included? The cooling system on the black car was having issues. Mine works perfectly so far.

Anyone have a shop recommendation?

Thanks for your help and time.

 

[LogicalPosition]

Engine Swap

I'd think you could find someone to do all the work you need done, engine and cooling parts swapped for under $2,000.

What is going to cost you, may be replacing things like motor mounts, rear seal on the engine, and the upgraded "reverse" on the good transmission. What I'm saying is... while you are in there with this swap, you might as well get a few things done that will save you time and money down the road, if you intend to keep the Frankenstein ride for some time to come.

I think you did quite well by securing your friend's broken unit for a mere dollar. Be sure to strip a few extra bits from whichever vehicle you end up crushing. Looks like a great opportunity for you, good luck! :wink

 

[sbaert]

If you're going to do a engine swap, be sure swap over the wiring harness as well since there is a production break based on vin#.

You also might come across a slight challenge if one vehicle has ASR and the other does not. ASR vehicles have electronic throttles. non-ASR cars do not.

 

[Jayare]

In the long run, you'd probably be money ahead by having a Sun Valley rebuilt transmission installed in your current car ($1700 - $2000). You mentioned the donor had cooling problems. Figure new radiator, may as well install a new water pump while your at it. Add the cost of the other mentioned parts, labor etc and the Sun Valley route be in your best interest. Part out or swap over items from the dollar car.

Good luck with your decisions

 

[AnimatedDirt]

Thanks everyone. I did the engine swap. I used Henry's Auto Repair in Whittier, CA. They were really cool. They took a bit longer than had been anticipated, but it all worked out for the best in the end. I'm quite happy with their work. It did cost me a bit more than I had wanted, but in the end I wanted peace of mind that the work was being done well. So far I've had no issues with their work.

The next step is to replace/repair the transmission as it is still giving me issues. I want to go with the Sun Valley rebuilt, but a friend wants me to try the less expensive route first of having a family member that does work on MBZ's give it a looksie. It can't hurt...right?!