463 ENGINE TRANSPLANT

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Fri, 18/10/2019 - 16:23
alastair.purcell
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Couldn't find an existing Forum string........It may be considered sacrilege, but I'm sure it happens.

I'm looking to put a Euro5 [petrol] or Euro6 [diesel] into my 1991 463 petrol 300GEL - I'd prefer petrol, but will go with the simplest option.

I had a full engine rebuild by CREWE ENGINES 20,000 miles ago and the car runs beautifully. But.....

I live in London, so I'm very aware that in a couple of years I won't be able to go inside the North / South Circular without paying....and a year after that, I won't even be able to leave my driveway. I don't want to get rid of the car, so trying to plan ahead. Realise it will cost a bit, but 

Any advice / pointers?

For instance, I'm looking at something like this 2016 OM642 LS SCR EU6-B > https://www.ebay.ie/itm/ENGINE-Mercedes-Benz-GLS-2016-On-350-D-3-0-Diesel-Automatic-WARRANTY-11179538/352783866020?hash=item52238e98a4:g:QPwAAOSwkzRddinJ

Are there any specific engines that I could look out for that would work? Realise it will be a lot more than just getting the engine mounts compatable, but at least there is plenty of space in the engine bay.

Thanks, Alastair. 

 

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Fri, 18/10/2019 - 17:44
#1
alastair.purcell
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Re: 463 ENGINE TRANSPLANT

Please use this string. Other 3 are will be removed.

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Sat, 19/10/2019 - 11:31
#2
Jdring
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Re: 463 ENGINE TRANSPLANT

I guess I have the OM642 in my 2012 G350.  Really nice.  As a V6 it matches the other MB V6s I have had and is a good combination of economy and efficiency.  So I think a diesel V6 is a better option than a petrol one and not as mad as a V8, where I would go for petrol.

Now, in the G350, it has AdBlue to provide NOX emission control.  It injects Urea into the exhaust or something to convert back to water.  Nice idea, but does add a few bits of complication if you were thinking of adding that it - it needs NOX sensors in the exhaust and a AdBlue reservoir tank etc.

But if you get an engine which is Euro6 (diesel) without the AdBlue idea, then go for it.  Pretty sure MB put them in a lot of motors, like the ML, so you should find some.  You might need a different sump apparently - others will need to comment about that.

Good luck

 

 

 

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Sun, 20/10/2019 - 17:12
#3
panzer
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Re: 463 ENGINE TRANSPLANT

Great care needed here. Tfl may consider your 1991 petrol 463 allways a petrol 1991 no matter what you do to it - type approval for the chassis???

Do not change the engine untill you are apsolutly certain that it is complient with Tfl.

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Sun, 20/10/2019 - 18:19
#4
alastair.purcell
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Re: 463 ENGINE TRANSPLANT
Thank you both. I already have my vehicle classed as a mini - bus (BUS on my V5). Changed that shortly after I got the vehicle in 2003. I will double check that. From what I understand from tfl (but on the tfl phone line one often gets conflicting information - and they aren't prepared to confirm in writing) that I should just apply to change the V5 after any transplant - but also need a letter from Mercedes Benz UK to confirm that a replacement engine is Euro4 (petrol) or Euro6 (diesel) - even though the engine number includes the characters Thanks for the heads up on how a chassis could be "type approved" for only one engine unit. If anyone can throw any more light on this I'd be grateful. My chassis number is WDB46322827079569 / and current engine number is 10398722001966. Best. Alastair.
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Mon, 21/10/2019 - 12:18
#5
Theo
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Re: 463 ENGINE TRANSPLANT

my guess: you need to replace engine, gearbox, exhaust and introduce electronics; this needs a lot of know-how;  probably easier to sell your car and buy an Euro 6 Diesel; probably cheaper as well if you take resell value into consideration.

In 2031 (40 years old) your vehicle will be in the 'historic' vehicle tax class and therefore exempt from ULEZ.

 

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Wed, 23/10/2019 - 21:14
#6
prwales
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Re: 463 ENGINE TRANSPLANT

LPG?

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Thu, 24/10/2019 - 10:28
#7
Theo
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Re: 463 ENGINE TRANSPLANT

good thinking but do you get it certified as Euro 6?

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Mon, 11/11/2019 - 14:18
#8
alastair.purcell
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Re: 463 ENGINE TRANSPLANT
Thanks again. Only if the engine number specifically indicates Euro4 (or Euro6) in the final digits is it acceptable. Once the engine is fitted, the Homologation Co-ordinator at MB HQ in Milton Keynes is prepared to give a letter stating that the vehicle would now be compliant with the indicated category. (This is obviously very topical at the moment. The people at MB were very helpful). Has anyone come across a company in the Netherlands called G-Wagen.nl - near Leiden. Ideally, I'm looking for someone like that in the UK to do the transplant. If I just sell the vehicle, I think I may struggle to re-register a newer 463 as a mini-bus. As long as I have the chassis registered as a mini-bus, I'll try to hold out to do an engine transplant.I would stick with a petrol engine. TFL are able to test diesel engines, but not petrol. I'm trying to avoid hitting up against the expanded LEZ without a plan B. If someone can suggest a UK equivalent to the company I found in the Netherlands, that would be great. The one advantage of someone on the continent might be that they would have access to a lot more second hand engines than someone in the UK. Any further advice welcome. Thanks. Alastair.
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