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Mercedes Diesel in YJ

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JSchwinn:
Hey guys I've been struggling with some issues with my I6 and I'm not putting any more money into it so looking into other options.  The cheapest option would be just getting another I6 with lower miles.  I could also go with a V8 conversion (350) but its a lot of work.  The last option which I am thinking of going with is going to a diesel, obviously the best option would be a 4BT but they are about $3500 just for the engine so that's out of the questions.  Fortunately there is a cheaper option that retains the factory transmission/t-case, this is a Mercedes 5 cyl turbo diesel out of a '80-'85.  With the engine and all adaptors you can do the swap for under $2000 depending the deal you get on the engine.  

As I have very little experience working on engines I wanted to get the group opinion.  My Jeep isn't my daily driver so I don't mind spending the time doing the swap.  There are websites that sell the required adaptors.  I would plan on getting a running Mercedes for around $1000, take the engine out and scrap the rest to recoup some costs.

This idea still formulating in my head as I only found out recently I will need to rebuild the lower end of my I6 to stop the oil leak.  Am I crazy for considering this?  Benefits are lots of low end torque, better MPG and obviously the "cool" factor of having a diesel powered jeep.

Big Chuck:
Are you leaking that much oil that a rebuild is necessary? are you running a 4.0 or a 4.2L?
Chuck

Mreecew:
Idk about a mercedes diesel and I know im not a fan of the 4bt but I once saw a guy use a VW diesel in a yj, which yielded great results. Not to mention samurai people do it also. They have great aftermarket support, are very reliable and will help keep the weight down. Not to mention the fuel economy will be significantly better.

JSchwinn:
The oil leak is due to a loose crank so I'd need to rebuild the bottome half of the engine.  The leak is about a 1/2 dollar size. For now it won't be an issue but will only get worse.  If I decide to do the swap it wouldn't be till the winter.

As far as the Mercedes diesel its a pretty common swap and the engines are know to run 500k miles + with regular maintenance. 

toreadorranger:
I'm going to vote for replacing it with a decent running 4.0L.  the swap is cool and if you want to actually do it I say go for it, but for the sake of keeping the jeep running, a decent 4.0L is very hard to beat price wise, plus then you could take your time to plan the diesel swap out more and find a good donor.  And then when you swap the diesel you can sell the good running 4.0L you swapped in to make some of your cash back, it leaves you not rushed to get the merc swap done and keeps the jeep reliably running.

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