350 SWB

3 replies [Last post]
Tue, 22/02/2005 - 19:33
neh0
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Joined: 12.12.2004
Location: Portsmouth

I've seen a nice looking 350 in France. Many people decry the 350, what are the reasons and what should I be looking at ? This car has had an engine replacement/overhaul and has only done 50K miles since.

Thanks,
Neil

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Tue, 22/02/2005 - 21:33
#1
peter perfect
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Joined: 08.11.2003
Location: Bahrain
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350 SWB

its a short stroke engine, re-nowned head gasket problems but a mod cures it I believe.

From what I understand the block is cast and the head alloy so there is a difference in the cooling of both metals which caused heads to warp but dont see how it would. Anyway I remember going to the g-wagen factory in graz in a 300 gd and when we got to this hill this GTD came flying past us and just kept climbing this long hill while we where still plodding along changing down gears. Thats when I tought I wanted a 350GTD.

I think this engine demands a bit of respect and a chance to cool down after youve thrashed it down the motor way i,e let it idle for a minute before switching it off.

hay ho

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Tue, 22/02/2005 - 22:43
#2
Roly
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350 SWB

Ian is right about the head warping but its because of a bad design in the original heads. MB made a new one 1500euros and its good after that. The original cooling fluid was chemically incorrect too and coagulated at high temps which caused overheating. This has been fixed too with T30 fluid.You would want to cost the above repairs into the purchase price. They generally had high specs.

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Wed, 23/02/2005 - 01:22
#3
mercfan
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Joined: 31.07.2004
Location: Hertfordshire
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350 SWB

You definately would want to see the paperwork about the replacement engine. It could be that it was done specifically to remedy the 350's (original) problems - but it could also not be the case. One way to find out is to take it to a knowledgeable dealer or do some research on the net. The update had different casting marks and numbers.

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