My Willys 3A and 3B Community

3A, 3B, DJ Technical Knowledge Base => "Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations => Topic started by: Austin on August 11, 2015, 03:54:29 PM

Title: Mercedes OM617
Post by: Austin on August 11, 2015, 03:54:29 PM

I am looking to do something different with my 2A. I have a 86 Mercedes SL300 with a OM617 that came into my junkyard. Anyone have experience adapting this motor to the T90?

Title: Re: Mercedes OM617
Post by: garage gnome on August 16, 2015, 08:38:31 AM

It is going to be a VERY tough fit. It is very long, so severe modification will be needed to the body. Also, the oil pan is in the front, so you will have clearance issues with the front axle. The engine can be adapted to a small block chevy bolt pattern, which the T90 can be adapted to as well. But then you get stacks of adapters making it longer. Not to mention, the OM617 adaptor is a few thousand dollars.

I looked into this swap before I rebuilt the V6 in the Jalopy and decided that it was impractical and just wouldn't work and there are better engine options out there.

Title: Re: Mercedes OM617
Post by: garage gnome on August 16, 2015, 08:43:38 AM

IIRC, the OM617 is 35" long and the flatty engine bay is 30" and thats if the radiator support is cut off the grille.

Title: Re: Mercedes OM617
Post by: Dutch_Jeeper on August 19, 2015, 04:06:18 AM

If you want a diesel in there you should look at diesels from Volkswagen. I do not know what versions VW sold in the US but a 1.9 Jetta or Rabbit diesel engine should be a good fit. You could step up a notch and look at the more modern TDI engines. HP ranges from 90 to 150 and tons of torque. But they need very high pressure pumps for the direct injected dieselsystem.

Title: Re: Mercedes OM617
Post by: Austin on August 19, 2015, 09:00:50 AM

Just looking at my options. I have alot of hills in my area, and the L134 just doesn't climb the way I would like it to. I have taken it outer banks in NC and it preforms perfect with all that flat land. I'm just looking for a bit more get up and go in my 2A. Going to keep the  L134 in my 3a. I bought a used adaptor, advanced adapter, for a Buick V6. I have a GM Supercharged 3800 series II, that I'm pretty sure will work with this adaptor to the T90. Need about a week of rainy days to figure it all out.

Title: Re: Mercedes OM617
Post by: Austin on August 19, 2015, 09:02:05 AM

Mercedes adaptors are expensive.

Title: Re: Mercedes OM617
Post by: Jeff_M on August 22, 2015, 07:15:40 AM

I don't know what that particular Mercedes diesel is, but I can tell you a non-turbo VW won't give you any more oomph than the L-134...maybe even less.  Good dependable motor, just powerless.

Title: Re: Mercedes OM617
Post by: garage gnome on August 25, 2015, 06:06:02 AM

If you wan't more power, go with a buick v6. Easy to swap in and it works.