Mercedes-Benz W124 engine swap - ready for install - The Hillbilly Hammer

Final look before I plop the engine/trans in there. I tried to remove anything from the engine bay that will not be used. Held off on pulling the ABS/ASR hydraulic unit for now but that was in the plans as well.

[@STRGHTSXBNZ]

Hey man, great videos! That heat-resistant silver paneling on the bulkhead, is that standard Mercedes paneling? Or something you made yourself? My ('86) W124 had green foam panelling without any metal plating on it. Now I run some gold-plated anti-vibration paneling (some EU variant of what you know as Dynamat) on there but it turns out to have horrible sound deadening capabilities. If those panels are std factory equipment, I might just order those if possible! Thanks for your answer! You have a new subscriber :)

[@bicylindrico]

Thanks for the compliment! The panels are original to the 400E & 500E cars. Unfortunately they both had wider firewalls so I don't think it will be a direct swap over to the standard W124 chassis

[@maenmomani3051]

Hello 👋 Is the same lock to lock angle after shortened the tie rods? Because i have tried it on w123 and w124 they have the same measurements 120 cm from the outer ball joint to another the 210 is 140 cm When I shortened it I had less steering angle lock than the original setup can you please help me with this 🙏 With all do respect for you

[@bicylindrico]

No, it steers slower with the rack. I would have to shorten the steering knuckle tie rod connection from the steering axis centerline distance to correct it

[@speedniibe9959]

Great job indeed ! And would you tell me why you dare to put steering rack plate in lower position ? If you could Mount more upper position, you might not need to cut lower arms. Is it May be Engine oil pan clearance or steering joint angle ?

[@bicylindrico]

No room. The steering rack is raised up about 2 inches from the plate anyway. It's in the best position it could be in and about 1/4" from the oil pan

[@purplethephoenix5691]

I have a 92 300e 4matic... I know, those are more complicated cause of the front end. BUT Is an engine swap like this at all possible? I'd assume I'd have to convert the front end out of 4matic, which would require god knows what, part swaps, possible changes to get everything placed properly... I've tried to look around to see if anyone has done it but no real luck. But would it be as "simple" as it sounds? Just redo the front end and then do an engine swap (I'm thinking an LS or 2JZ) Any help is appreciated, thank you. (I also kinda wanna keep it full stock but scared if something breaks I won't be able to find parts to replace, my transfer case/4matic still works... for now)

[@bicylindrico]

Please take my advice and scratch the idea. Its hard enough with the more space the 400E chassis provides

[@purplethephoenix5691]

@@bicylindrico Ya I'd probably have to do some welding too and front end suspension changes, would end up costing a lot more. Thanks for the advice!

[@ze_german2921]

I will be swapping my w124 e320 Wagon for a m119 from a SL500

[@bicylindrico]

It doesn't really fit. The 400E/500E had a wider engine bay to accommodate the ridiculously wide M119. Just expect to have to cut and hammer out the firewall. Relocate the battery and such. I also think the steering gearbox was smaller on the V8 cars. It's a lot of work.

[@Beezersh]

Keep these coming! Very cool build.

[@romeot8741]

Hello , Great project you are doing !!! From what car are you using rack and pinion and steering shaft ??? Thank you

[@bicylindrico]

W210. I go over what I used in other videos. Check them out

[@americantireautocenter4405]

nice build !! how about R129 rack & pinion would that work ? i just started on my 300ce swap project from 1998 R129 donor

[@bicylindrico]

Thanks! The R129 used a steering gearbox too but the engine bay was much wider so you may not gain anything size wise. It could have a better ratio though. I recall the 400E & 500E actually used a smaller gearbox than the standard W124. I also looked into R129 M113 engine mounts/arms but they are not interchangeable either to fit the W124 chassis mount locations.

[@americantireautocenter4405]

@@bicylindrico oh, what you suggest for donor W210 430 ?

[@bicylindrico]

@@americantireautocenter4405 That's what I used

[@АзаматАзаматов-ы3у]

👍👍👍

[@sportsmansparadice42]

What engine do you plan on using?

[@bicylindrico]

Check out the later videos I posted. It's the M113 carbed with huge cams

[@sportsmansparadice42]

@@bicylindrico That's bad ass brother. Who made the intake adapters?

[@bicylindrico]

@@sportsmansparadice42 I spent a bunch of money to have them CNC produced here at a local shop