Looking for M115 Engine and gearbox

[409LF8]

Hello All,

I wanted to post in the wanted add section, but it seems I have not got the privilege's to do so.

I am looking a decent M115 2.3 Litre Petrol Engine and gearbox to replace the knocking one in my Mercedes 409 LF8. The one in my truck appears to be a M115.952, but I'm sure other variants are similar.

I replaced the big ends and timing chain a while ago and now it sounds like conrod bearings are rattling. Yes I should have dome them all when I was that deep, but I was in a hurry and I'm not a mechanic.

I was going to try to replace the tired M115 with something else, but can't get a clear answer on engine would be as much of a direct replacement as possible. Folk talked about om606 and Om612's etc etc and the M102 from the 190. I want to stay carburettor, no diesels or injected engines unless I have to . I was tempted to see if a small block chevy would fit, but that's a whole different ball game.

I'm working on a driveway and have no workshop/garage or access to one.

Ideally I would like to throw in a decent M115 to get her up and running again and have the original one rebuilt and upgraded a little , then swap them out and rebuild the second one and keep it as a spare.

Regards

Ronan

 

[grober]

Perhaps a little explanation might be in order
Mercedes-Benz M115 engine - Wikipedia

Mercedes-Benz T2 - Wikipedia

HT lead position on cap of w123 200 1981

 

[Mercland]

I would go for a M102, it should be an easy replacement. M115 was never a fantastic engine in petrol form. Produced all of about 3 HP.

I have an M102 perfectly running engine on a pallet on my garage, although its a 2.0 model with carb. Came out of my W123 which now has a V8 in it.

Good luck...

 

[409LF8]

Thank you for the information Mercland. I would love to stick in a V8, but doubt it would fit, the engine bay in a 409 is very snug, but yes a few people have said the M102 might be best.

 

[steventux]

I have a Hymer with a M115.972 lump in it. Runs great on LPG and Petrol but it could barely pull a child's toy up an incline never mind a petite campervan.
What's the gain of replacing with a M102? I know they were fitted to the T1s but the car variants had more HP. The T1 210 Merc van has very little room for engine ancilliaries. I can't seem to find an M102 for anything other than a car, are there many van specific parts to procure? (Oil dip and oil filler being very likely).

 

[grober]

TN / T1 Petrol (1977-1995)

Model Engine Cylinders Displacement Max. Power @ min−1 Max.torque @ min−1 Years
208 / 308 M115 (115.955/972) I4 2307 cc 63 kW (85 hp) / 4800 160 Nm / 2000 1977–1982
210 / 310 / 410 M102 (102.942) I4 2299 cc 70 kW (95 hp) / 5200 170 Nm / 2500 1982–1988
210 / 310 / 410 M102 (102.945) I4 2299 cc 77 kW (105 hp) / 5100 182 Nm / 2000-2700 1989–1995
these look identical to the carburettor versions of the M102 found in the w123, 190 and early w124? the big power increase for these engines in saloons came with fuel injection

for comparison

Mercedes-Benz M102 engine - Wikipedia

 

[steventux]

Thank you for the information Mercland. I would love to stick in a V8, but doubt it would fit, the engine bay in a 409 is very snug, but yes a few people have said the M102 might be best.

I've also looked at the M102 engine as an HP boost. I can't find any information on how the carb is mounted on the van model. I doubt a side-draft carb would fit under the engine cover.