@daner thanks for the update and I love the new color. With respect to the increased water temps, did you keep the OEM oil cooler? I went with a smaller 3 row Mishimoto for my oil cooler and I've seen 220F a time or two thanks to my warning light. I know these engines are notorious for building heat and storing it in the cast iron (think driving on the autobahn and then pulling off and sitting at a stop light). This is why Mercedes installed the oil squirters on the piston skirts (I think) along with the large oil cooler. Might be something to look into to keep the temps down a little. Also, less lugging, as I'm sure you know, will help keep the cylinder head temps down.Sheesh-looks like it has been almost two years since I posted an update in the diesel forum. Still super-reliable and comparatively efficient. I recently took it to Moab and the one issue was that it runs too warm under extreme conditions (100+ degrees, long grades) Temps got up to 220 or so. In my conversion I used a budget three-core aluminum radiator. Should have forked over the extra $ for a five-core. If anyone else is considering an OM617 swap, I recommend not skimping on the cooling system.
View attachment 3067757
I need to look into the Doomsday diesel ALDA delete. My engine is bone stock, only thing I've done is adjust valves.