Used or rebuilt 230 engine for sale

[FresnoBob]

I plan to install a 250 engine in my "survivor" 230 SL (numbers don't match in any case).  One of our fellow Pagoda group members has stored the 250 engine for at least 15 years after it was fully rebuilt by Metric Motors in California.  I have no idea of my 230 engine's history as a crooked auto shop swapped the MB rebuilt engine in this car for some other engine. 

My question - Should I rebuild the 230 engine (my friend has a new set of pistons that may fit this engine), or sell it as is?  What is a fair price in either case? 

BTW - does anyone know how to track an engine serial number so I can perhaps find the 230 engine's actuals history?  The Teil-Nr. is 1270101602 and the Aggregat Nr. is 510579

[Harry]

I am rebuilding my 1966 230SL engine, and almost completed.  It's difficult to say what the cost range will be because it is highly dependent on the condition of the engine you are working with.  Parts are available but expensive.  A set of 1st oversize pistons (no connecting rods) was over $1800.  If your head is warped or has been rebuilt before, it may be at the end of it's life and those are hard to find.  The fuel injection pump is another expensive risk.  You really need to know something about the engine you have.  Will it even turn over?  Will it run?  What levels of compression do you have?  Oil pressure? Pulling the head can reveal a lot.

Regarding the 250SL engine, my impression from reading and this forum is that they are probably the least desirable but I would rely on those on the forum with more experience in rebuilding these cars to provide more valuable feedback.

[FresnoBob]

Thanks Harry,

The 230 motor works well, but consumes oil.  I drove the car to PagodaFest.  The oil pressure is excellent and the injection pump also works well.  If it wasn't for the oil consumption, I'd still be driving it.  I note that Metric Motors charges $10k to rebuild a motor. 

[Harry]

Oil consumption is often ue to agedvalve stem seals.  Mine were in bad condition.  If the compression is good and the oil pressure is good, that’s encouraging.  May just need to rebuild the head!

[FresnoBob]

Unfortunately, I just replaced the valve stem seals, but this didn't reduce my oil consumption, or amount of smoke upon startup from a traffic light.  The engine compression is between 110 and 120 psi, so I've decided to rebuild this engine, but at a leisurely pace and install the completely rebuilt 250 engine that Rick has. 

[Mike Hughes]

If the valve stem seals didn't really take care of the problem then you have worn valve guides, a common enough problem with these engines.  Reconditioning the head is a whole lot less expensive and may be all you need.  You'll know if you have to go for a full engine rebuild when the head is pulled by the condition of the cylinder walls.  If they look good with little or no "ridge" and your oil pressure at warm idle was good then leave the bottom end alone:  A rebuilt head is all you will need to take care of your smoke screen.

I've been there and thought I needed to rebuild my engine, but was persuaded by folks on these forums that doing the head was all that was really necessary.  They were right and my formerly smoky 230SL has been running like a champ for a couple of years now.  ;^)

[Benz Dr.]

I've been running a 250 engine in my 230SL for over 25 years and it's never missed a beat. There's nothing wrong with using a 250.