m103 head.... again
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From: Bellevue, NE
1995 E320 SE, 162,000 Miles (Sold) 2007 CLK350 Cabriolet 2014 ML550
If I'm not mistaken, the difference is in the length of the stroke. Don't take my word for it, though. Either way I'm fairly certain the heads are not interchangeable, at least not easily. I don't know how you would get the valve timing advance to work properly.
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1989 190E 3.0L 5speed
valve timing is something that I know nothing about, in fact I hadn't even thought about it until now (I am planning on modifiying my cylinder head) How does it work? Isn't the timing just getting the sprocket on the camshaft in the right spot on the timing chain? or is there something electronic about the whole deal? I know that the rotor/distributor control when then engine is supposed to fire, but the valves have to be open at the right time :therefore the name "valve timing" right? And if this is true then all you would have to do is mark a spot on the chain and sprocket to get the same timing as what you had originally. 
something like that, please correct me if I am wrong. Thanks for the info btw.
something like that, please correct me if I am wrong. Thanks for the info btw.
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Socialist West Coast
95 E320, 19 Ram 1500 Hemi, 21 GLS 580(wife)
you should really try to find a book to read up on this mechanism called your engine. Secondly, you should rethink any modifications to the engine unless you own a speedshop with skilled technicians and lots of money to throw at it.
Mercedes motors are very highly engineered and are unlike a smallblock chev where you are starting with an undertuned mass of iron that any grease-monkey can add power to. Enjoy your car for what it is right now since that manual tranny is a rarity and performance piece that not many have in this country.
Mercedes motors are very highly engineered and are unlike a smallblock chev where you are starting with an undertuned mass of iron that any grease-monkey can add power to. Enjoy your car for what it is right now since that manual tranny is a rarity and performance piece that not many have in this country.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,042
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From: Bellevue, NE
1995 E320 SE, 162,000 Miles (Sold) 2007 CLK350 Cabriolet 2014 ML550
you should really try to find a book to read up on this mechanism called your engine. Secondly, you should rethink any modifications to the engine unless you own a speedshop with skilled technicians and lots of money to throw at it.
Mercedes motors are very highly engineered and are unlike a smallblock chev where you are starting with an undertuned mass of iron that any grease-monkey can add power to. Enjoy your car for what it is right now since that manual tranny is a rarity and performance piece that not many have in this country.
Mercedes motors are very highly engineered and are unlike a smallblock chev where you are starting with an undertuned mass of iron that any grease-monkey can add power to. Enjoy your car for what it is right now since that manual tranny is a rarity and performance piece that not many have in this country.
Yes, good advice- about the car AND presidential election! To add to what was said, the M104 has variable valve timing. There is a hydraulic actuator integral to the cam sprocket that is electronically controlled. The entire engine control system is different on these 2 engines. It would most likely be less expensive to swap cars.
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1989 190E 3.0L 5speed
Whoa hold on there guys... I wasn't asking about changing the timing or anything. A port/polish isn't all that risky of an operation and and I am shaving a scrap 2.6 head in my machining class as we speak, so perhaps "grease monkeys" are getting smarter nowadays huh? As for "this mechanism called my engine" it would really be helpful if you told me where it's located because I can't find it. Aside from that I'm not so stupid with cars. In fact I probably know more than most kids my age so lay off.
Next time I'll make sure not to bother anyone with my stupid questions about how an engine works.
Next time I'll make sure not to bother anyone with my stupid questions about how an engine works.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,042
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From: Bellevue, NE
1995 E320 SE, 162,000 Miles (Sold) 2007 CLK350 Cabriolet 2014 ML550
Whoa hold on there guys... I wasn't asking about changing the timing or anything. A port/polish isn't all that risky of an operation and and I am shaving a scrap 2.6 head in my machining class as we speak, so perhaps "grease monkeys" are getting smarter nowadays huh? As for "this mechanism called my engine" it would really be helpful if you told me where it's located because I can't find it. Aside from that I'm not so stupid with cars. In fact I probably know more than most kids my age so lay off.
Next time I'll make sure not to bother anyone with my stupid questions about how an engine works.
Next time I'll make sure not to bother anyone with my stupid questions about how an engine works.
As for your question about M103 2.6 vs. 3.0, timing is not an issue. The M103 has static valve timing. Those heads may be interchangeable, I'm not sure. I apologize if you were insulted. You have a valid question. No one thinks you're
crr1612 brought up the idea of putting an M104 head on an M103 engine. That would be a big problem.
Two separate things we're talking about.
Last edited by shdoug; Feb 5, 2008 at 10:04 PM.
Thread Starter
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1989 190E 3.0L 5speed
I think there has been a misunderstanding. I think I got the 2 questions mixed up due to my laziness and not going back to read the whole thing.
As for your question about M103 2.6 vs. 3.0, timing is not an issue. The M103 has static valve timing. Those heads may be interchangeable, I'm not sure. I apologize if you were insulted. You have a valid question. No one thinks you're
crr1612 brought up the idea of putting an M104 head on an M103 engine. That would be a big problem.
Two separate things we're talking about.
As for your question about M103 2.6 vs. 3.0, timing is not an issue. The M103 has static valve timing. Those heads may be interchangeable, I'm not sure. I apologize if you were insulted. You have a valid question. No one thinks you're
crr1612 brought up the idea of putting an M104 head on an M103 engine. That would be a big problem.
Two separate things we're talking about.
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Socialist West Coast
95 E320, 19 Ram 1500 Hemi, 21 GLS 580(wife)
wolf, I think you took that the wrong way... what I was implying is that these cars require someone with a lot of knowledge to "tune" them, and that a grease monkey(ala someone like will ferrel taking the restricter plate off of the "red dragon") can't be very effective for the ideas it sounds like you have. These engines are very well built with "performance parts" as they come stock compared to most american motors.
fear not, we were not picking on you, and I did misunderstand you in that I thought you were going to try this on your own.
friends forever?
fear not, we were not picking on you, and I did misunderstand you in that I thought you were going to try this on your own.
friends forever?
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 140
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1989 190E 3.0L 5speed
I don't know maybe I'm trying to make my car into something it's not... need more money for a Corvette. or an engine swap some day. Or maybe the best thing would be a engine swap from a corvette! woo man talk about 500hp... makes me drool on the keyboard. 
BTW myfirstbenz yeah I guess we can be friends... but only because of our ties to the mercedes guru
ya know, since I have no idea who you are
BTW myfirstbenz yeah I guess we can be friends... but only because of our ties to the mercedes guru
ya know, since I have no idea who you are
Last edited by Wolf190; Feb 6, 2008 at 09:15 PM.
