Recessively I brought a 87 mercedes sdl 300 at a auction. Figured that it was be a great donor car to convert my 89 blaser s-10 to diesel. The S-10 fuel mileage is so bad that it was either to a diesel or put in a v-8 to increase the mileage. Now I seen a couple of articles and posting on the 617 mb in jeeps but this is 603 MB - inline 6 cylinder and yes it the America turbocharged version. So far, I've seen some great posting on the 5 cylinder. And found on the web a s-10 pickup 2x4 with 240d (4 cylinder). My S-10 is the 4x4 with the 4.3 liter engine and r700 tranny.
Problem one is don't know if the stock r700 will hold up to the 603 MB?
two does anyone made an adapter plate for this combo?
Three is the bolt pattern on the 603 the same as the 617 MB?
Four would the stock frame of the s-10 hold up to the torque or will I have to do some boxing of frame to strengthen it?
This conversion would bring together two rigs the I love.. Mercedes and the S-10.

 

I'm sure the 4.3 700R4 would hold up to the 603. I have a 1987 SDL with the 603. There is a company that makes an adapter plate to connect an OM617 to a 700R4, but the kit is for a 2.8 700R4, the 4.3 700R4 has a different bellhousing pattern. I am not sure if the 617 and 603 have the same trans bellhousing pattern, I know the starters are on opposite sides of the engine. I can take measurements of the trans that came off the 617 if you want to compare it to what the 603 is. I doubt you would have to strengthen the frame, people swap small blocks into S10's with no frame mods. The length would be tricky, you may have to modify the firewall, but maybe not. Good luck with your project.

John

 

the 617 and 603 are totally different in the trans bolt pattern. you'd probably be making your own trans adapter, and either redrilling the benz flywheel for the chevy TC or welding on new tabs to the TC. the length will be rather tricky as well as thats a strait 6, exactly like shoving a cummins in a fullsize chev .