OK Don wrote: > Having owned both 617 and 603 cars, I far prefer the 603. It's a much > nicer engine - smoother and quieter. By at least one estimate, must > of the heads that are going to crack, have already. Mine has over > 300,000 miles, original #14 head, is still strong, and no cracks (yet) > (knocking on wood as I type this). I love the SDL - >
Fewer than 25% of the #14 heads have cracked (despite all the heads brought to the US in '86-'87 being flawed - redesigned in '89). The trap oxidizer was implicated in the head failures based on the fact that most junked 126s and 124s that were equipped with traps also sported cracked heads while the '86 126s without traps (Fed certified, but NOT Calif certified) seldom exhibited head cracks. 603 engined cars that are largely highway driven seldom exhibit head cracks provided they are rarely (and only briefly) overheated, while cars that spent a lot of time in stop and go city traffic seem to have higher than average head cracking problems. My own 603.96 engine with 180+ kmi has no head cracking symptoms. The 603.96 powered 124 and 126s are smoooooth, wonderful cars to drive and are NOT difficult to maintain, but they have very different maintenance issues than cars powered by 617.95 engines. Marshall -- Marshall Booth Ph.D. Ass't Prof. (ret.) Univ of Pittsburgh School of Medicine [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
