The om617 has 125hp and 181fp torque. Further, the GVW difference between the 300D and a Disco is 735lbs which. Calculate the weight of the stock 4.0 or 3.9 motor weight subtracted from roughly 570lb weight of the om617 there is only a difference of 400 lbs. I have done a bit more than research threads on the web and I am doing this build. Although I am sceptical of a om617 out of a 87 as it was changed over to the om603 inline 6 that will not fit in the disco without interfering with the radiator set and needed modification to the firewall sill.

As to MY build, it is going slow but I have all the pieces to the puzzle. Just waiting for my recipient to stop being a daily driver. I may actually be the first one in this forum to do more than "ZIPPY". Cheers!

 

There are some really good threads on the MB conversion (not here) and for sure it's not worth 10k by any stretch. The last one I read was from '11 and took the guy two weeks to have it wheels rolling and three months to have it 100% bug free and he used the automatic......not a year with an empty engine bay. There are those who are competent and then those who suck at it.....

I see the two CL listings your talking about. One is a black 04 for $5500 firm and the other is again black, a 97 and an SE7 that needs a radiator and battery at minimum but still drives. The DII is a good deal if you can get it for lower, the lister is in need of the cash. Unfortunately I don't need a parts truck. I do Rover repair work on the side to keep em rolling and out of the crusher. I get enough parts in trades, off donors and what I buy to have every nook and cranny jammed in the pole barn. I've driven my 97 daily for almost six years now, put 90k on it. When it comes time to finally call it dead it will get a makeover into a trail truck. I was looking for a 4.6 short block but when I came across the GM transplant I've now put out feelers and found several donors, now it's just "how much" for the motor and trans and how long it will be before I can get the adapter (long line ahead of me).

This is a good start on your education. This is a novice level forum, nothing too deep goes on here normally. There are far more technical forums on Rovers, better reading (in depth) and after awhile you get to know who's who in the community and it's a blast. The Rover clan is one of the most helpful I've come across.

 

Sorry but your not going to change my beliefs. During the polar kotex at -25 and below my gas engine required nothing to fire first crank. I could melt the snow off every window with heat on medium high. Let's see a 23 year old smoker pull that off.

As far as tearing down your daily why don't you buy a bike? I rode a bike for all but the cold weather month and a half while in St. Petersburg, Mobile Al and then Biloxi MS during my seven year stay in the Gulf States. No excuses as far as I'm concerned unless it's money you lack and then I can understand your languishing "project delay" and you should then think again about what's important over the impractical.

 

Not trying to change your point of view. Merely love my rover driveline, seating as well as OFF ROAD performance and I prefer to be able to go under water without the worry of my precious electrical puffery to fail because it got wet. With your research about adapters and modifications, that take you out of your comfort zone to actually apply technical and perhaps more challenging endeavours, you also know that you do not have to rely on a battery to operate a diesel motor. Crass, glib and cynical nay sayers perhaps are book smart and make lots of money and can afford to drive a 12 - 19mph gasser v8 only be smug and if I may say pretty negative....blah blah

Enough of my rant. It's is kind of money but the r380 I have for my project is in the daily driver. I have a 98 that has no motor recently but has an auto zf4hp22 . Life happens but series of obstacles and challenges are only opportunities for being inventive to make the thing work.

Bottom line is that I am not lazy or negative and cynical and if someone comes across a d1 or d2 with r380 and someone has spent the time and effort to engineer a om603 or a more refined benz om606 into it, I say go drive it and check it out and see for your self if you like and appreciate it. I would buy it.

 

Then buy it......

 

Please define ZIPPY and VAPOR. I am finished with my motor, Including the fabled and spoken only about in HUSHED and reverent tones adapter plate of my own design and cutting. I also have R380. I also have my oil pan clearance sorted.

As said before. If you find the D1 with a manual, buy it. The trans is worth more than the truck in the right circle. My project will be up and running free of all the concerns other folks have gnashed their teeth about stating 5K + in cost of which I have done in under 1200.00 US. two weeks and my 125HP/181FP Torque STOCK and 30+mpg benz powered rover will be a reality. What say you?

I will be posting a CLEAN build thread then including step by step pics. No measurements because if you don't know how to operate a tape measure than you have no business on this forum. Cheers! @=============8 iscouts!