The Mercedes-Benz M116 is an automotive V8 engine made in several versions by Mercedes-Benz between 1969 and 1991. All models were gasoline powered, and utilized a single overhead camshaft with 2 valves per cylinder and Bosch Jetronic fuel injection. The larger M117 V8 followed, introduced initially in the US market.

3.5

The original M116 engine 116.980 was introduced August 1969 in the 300SEL 3.5. It featured 9.5:1 compression with 200 PS at 5,800 rpm and 286 Nm at 4,000 rpm. This was enough to propel the 1575 kg saloon to a top speed of 205 km/h. This engine and its twin, the 116.981 remained in production until 1980 when it was replaced by its larger 3.8 litre variant.

Usage

3.8

The 116.960 engine was introduced in 1979 featuring 8.3:1 compression with 158 PS at 4,750 rpm and 266 Nm at 2,750 rpm. This engine reached North America later for the 1981 380SL. There were 116.961, 116.962, and 116.963 versions of this engine. Early models came with a single row timing chain until 1983 and were plagued with chain failure problems which Mercedes-Benz would repair free of charge, changing the timing chain to a dual row thus resolved the problem making these engine as durable and reliable as any other Mercedes V8. All 1984 and 1985 3.8 V8 models came with a double row timing chain from the factory to prevent this failure, however this engine was replaced for the 1986 model year by its larger 4.2 litre variant.

Usage

4.2

The 116.965 engine was introduced in 1986 for the revised S-Class. It featured 9.0:1 compression and had from 204-231 PS depending on year and export market. All engines were mated to the Mercedes-Benz 4G-Tronic transmission. In North America, this engine was only used in 420SEL models featuring 204 PS at 5,200 rpm and 310 Nm at 3,600 rpm. This engine was used until 1991 when it was replaced by the newer 4.2L Double overhead camshaft Mercedes-Benz M119 engine with which it shares no parts.

Usage