SL/R107: 1984 380 engine swap with 560?
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1984 380 SL
1984 380 engine swap with 560?
A couple years ago I toasted the heads on my wife's toy. I did survive the informing her of my sins but after not being able to find parts or complete engine I did locate a 560 se engine and all the local Mercedes "experts" advised me to get a 560 (much better engine etc..) and do an engine swap. So far it has been a nightmare. I commonly do classic car restorations but this engine swap has me down. The 560 engine seems to high to fit the engine compartment. Have it in the engine compartment but bottom of the engine will not clear the chassis. Strikes the cross-member.
OK guys what am I doing wrong? Have thick skin so take all the pot shots you want as I know something is very wrong as all the local lads here in Dubai tell me it is an easy change. Inspectors are a bit on the strange side here as some no absolutely nothing about cars, some only know what their computer tells them to say and yet others a just afraid of any and everything that doesn't look "original". Should I trash this engine and continue to look for an original engine replacement? Original place that was supposed to do the head gasket repair lost too many parts to use the old engine and it sat in their yard for over a year in the elebents completely exposed. What say you?
OK guys what am I doing wrong? Have thick skin so take all the pot shots you want as I know something is very wrong as all the local lads here in Dubai tell me it is an easy change. Inspectors are a bit on the strange side here as some no absolutely nothing about cars, some only know what their computer tells them to say and yet others a just afraid of any and everything that doesn't look "original". Should I trash this engine and continue to look for an original engine replacement? Original place that was supposed to do the head gasket repair lost too many parts to use the old engine and it sat in their yard for over a year in the elebents completely exposed. What say you?
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 330
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From: Middle of Nowhere, USA
450SL
You need to use the oil pan, filter flange, and filter housing from the 380SL engine. Not sure if the 3.8 intake will exchange. You might need the 3.8 fuel distributor. The 5.6 has some electronic controls. I think you also need the ignition distributor if it fits. The 5.6 has a crank position sensor for timing.
Last edited by myway; Dec 27, 2018 at 11:49 AM.
Thread Starter
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1984 380 SL
Thank you very much. I will explore your suggestions. Do I need to change the crossmember also? Corvettes I can do with my eyes closed but my wife loves her SL. Thanks again for the invaluable information and help.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 330
Likes: 26
From: Middle of Nowhere, USA
450SL
No need to change the crossmember (front sub frame). The 560SL sub frame is just a slightly modified version to address cracking where the lower A arms attach on the '71-'84 107 models.
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1984 380 SL
OK noted. Thanks. Still trying to determine why I cannot get the engine to drop down low enough and won't clear the oil pan area---even with the pan removed. But rest assured will keep trying.
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From: Indiana
1985 380 sl
Relying on memory, the 560 from a sedan has a different oil pan than the 560 from an SL. If I recall correctly you will need to find an oil pan from a 560SL. Not sure but you may also have to use the motor mounts from the 380 as well. The exhaust manifold from the 380 will also need to be swapped over to the 560. Not sure if the 84 380sl utilized the 4 speed automatic transmission but if it did, then it should bolt up, no problem.
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Joined: Jan 2019
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From: Indiana
1985 380 sl
