OM617 isn't very long, and is a decently compact package. It's a common swap for 22re powered pickups.
The automatics behind the merc diesels are worse than an aw70 with a broken kick-down cable. I wouldn't wish that upon my worst enemy.
Couldn't be worse than a 3 speed, right? I like an automatic that I can control with my right foot. The BW55 was too downshift happy around 30-45 and the lack of overdrive was painful.
Also, I still don't get how it just suddenly ate the bores like that. I was cruising at top speed (84mph) at about 95% throttle a day or two before it quit running. The last drive was down the road to the store, it started fine and I didn't beat on it at all. I drove it about a mile.
I'm concerned about driveshaft and mounts, mainly. The only engine swap I've done is a redblock to redblock, then back to the first redblock.