| Mercedes-Benz M116 Engine | |
| Manufacturer: | Mercedes-Benz |
| Production: | 1969 - 1991 |
| Configuration: | Naturally aspirated 90° V8 |
| Valvetrain: | SOHC with 2 valves x cyl. |
| Block: | Cast iron 1969-1978 Aluminum 1978-1991 |
| Head: | Aluminum |
| Fueltype: | Gasoline |
| Fuelsystem: | Fuel injection |
| Oilsystem: | Wet sump |
| Coolingsystem: | Water-cooled |
| Management: | Bosch Jetronic |
| Predecessor: | Mercedes-Benz M100 engine |
| Successor: | Mercedes-Benz M119 engine |
| Power: | NaN0NaN0 |
| Torque: | NaN0NaN0 |
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.
The original M116 engine 116.980 was introduced August 1969 in the 300SEL 3.5. It featured 9.5:1 compression with 2000NaN0 at 5,800 rpm and 2860NaN0 at 4,000 rpm. This was enough to propel the 15750NaN0 saloon to a top speed of 2050NaN0. This engine and its twin, the 116.981 remained in production until 1980 when it was replaced by its larger 3.8 litre variant.
The 116.960 engine was introduced in 1979 featuring 8.3:1 compression with 1580NaN0 at 4,750 rpm and 2660NaN0 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[1] 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.
The 116.965 engine was introduced in 1986 for the revised S-Class. It featured 9.0:1 compression and had from NaN0NaN0 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 2040NaN0 at 5,200 rpm and 3100NaN0 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.