So, I bought a Mercedes...

[91LTDProject]

Yes sir, a 1976 300D, with a few modifications. I've been looking for one for a while, and found this on the local VW forum. Guy pretty much built exactly what I had wanted to do myself. Needs a little bit of bodywork, but its in pretty good shape all things considering. 5 cylinder 3.0L diesel thats pretty much indestructable, manual air-ride setup (no electronics in this car, thats the way its staying), 3 speed auto (going to be on the hunt for a 4spd conversion).

My only real plans are to strip the body and take care of all the rust, I'l probably pay to have this done as my bodywork skills are severely lacking, pull the engine out and give it a once-over, replace whats needed, try and find the parts for a 4spd conversion (pretty rare), paint it (something flat or satin), re-assemble and enjoy for years. I take delivery in June as the owner is using it in his wedding party at the end of May (selling it because of the wedding, hes not too happy). Hope to bring it to Scottfest this year....

On to the pictures

http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu74/OskkarCiejek/_MG_1784.jpg

http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu74/OskkarCiejek/_MG_1785.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee68/CorvetteCid/DSC_5530.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee68/CorvetteCid/DSC_5529.jpg

And a little video demonstrating the air-ride...

S35a8TcScRg

[CheeseSteakJim]

That car is fucking awesome. I'd keep it green and white though... flat black/satin are quickly becoming overdone.

[91LTDProject]

I love the green, but its a 10 foot paintjob. I was thinking if I can find flat green or something, I'm not a big fan of shiny paint. I'm also looking at painting it an OEM Mercedes color, Benz had alot of really cool, funky colors back in the 70's. I do know that the rood is staying a beige/cream color, and the hubcaps will be painted to match the roof...

Heres the cars factory color...

http://gallery.dasjettakartell.com/albums/userpics/10008/normal_IMG_9465s.jpg

And heres how it looked after he first started modifying it...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2093/2522204191_2c710ab869.jpg

[gadget73]

I like the green. I personally do not like non-shiny paint though, it just reminds me of driving the Towncar pre-paint when it wan't shiny because the paint was just horribly shitty.

Friend of mine had one of those cars, may have even been the same year. He told me the trans died in it somewhere around the 400k point, and it was replaced. Last he knew it was pushing 500k and still running before he moved away from home. It was his dad's car that he drove for years until he decided he wanted something different.

[slymer]

I couldn't drive that car... too many dips around here. I really do need the clearance my 88 MGM has... and I still scrape from time to time (due to speed and bounce and low hanging cats)

[91LTDProject]

I couldn't drive that car... too many dips around here. I really do need the clearance my 88 MGM has... and I still scrape from time to time (due to speed and bounce and low hanging cats)

Thats the beauty of air-ride. All I do is push a button and it has as much ground clearance as some smaller 4x4's, hit the button the other way and it drops back to the ground. Check out the video to see what I'm talking about...

[gadget73]

Just watched the vid. The air ride controls are pretty slick. I like the fact that nothing looks like it was added. A lot of those setups I see involve some obviously tacked-on control panel for the compressor and vent solenoids. Hiding the controls in the ashtray and re-purposing another factory switch looks quite clean.

[hemihotrod402]

Regarding an Oem color, I think it would look killer in New Palm Green, which was an OEM color n 1976, Paint Code 361. It's shiny yes, but it's a lime green that would look great with the beige roof.

[slymer]

ah... just watched the vid... that's slick. It would still be a "weekend car" for sure. No way I would drive something that nice as a DD.

[Andypot1985]

nice car, i love its stance

[P72Ford]

My neighbor had an '81 240 D (different body style), with the manual transmission. It was maroon over tan leather, with 3000 original miles. Obviously pristine, and showroom clean. It was a really neat car, and had all sorts of neat badges in the grille. I was young, and don't really remember what the hell they were; I believe there was some sort of swedish medallion amongst other things.

Unfortunately it burned to the ground in his garage back in 2001. It was such a clean car, that it was a really nothing short of a trevesty that it was destroyed.

The Benzo you bought certainly is unique. I'd love to see it at SF!

[mrltd]

Very cool. Hope it isn't too expensive to maintain, I junked my W120 because it was just too expensive to resurrect.

I do love German engineering, so impressive, so simple.

[91LTDProject]

Been shopping around for parts on the web, have not found anything too insane yet, and alot of aftermarket parts are readily available. OEM stuff though, prices through the roof. It also comes with a parts car, which is good for odds and ends.

As for maintenance, the previous owner used this as his daily driver for two years, and as his toy car for the last year, putting over 80,000km on it in that time. He took it on alot of roadtrips to the states as well as in Canada, and he said this was by far the most reliable car he has ever owned and that it never once left him stranded. Heres a list of the stuff he has replaced in the last three years...

-The alternator died due to the extra strain from the compressor and a modest stereo. Stock alternator is around 45-50 amps I believe.
-Water pump was reasonable
-Injectors were very cheap
-Front wheel bearing was cheap
-Rear wheel bearing was a bit more pricey due to the labour involved, had a shop do it for me
-2 cheap motor mounts
-speedo cable was cheap and easy to replace

For a 30 year old car, thats not bad over a three year period, I've replaced more on my 13 year old Jetta. I'm not too worried about the mechanical side of things, he told me this is the easiest car he has ever worked on, and from what I saw, he's right. Restoring the body kinda scares me, as its not something I can do myself, properly anyways, so I'm going to be looking around for a reputable body shop to take it too...

[Rodentkiller]

MBZ's are bullet-proof reliable but when thay breakdown the parts are stupidly expencive, some MBZ's you must use the OEM parts or things will go badly for you.

[91LTDProject]

Think I just found my paint colour....

http://www.tcpglobal.com/kustomshop/HRF214.aspx

http://www.tcpglobal.com/images/kusHRF214b.jpg

[Grand Marquis GT]

Cool car, I'm jealous!

[mrltd]

Not bad, I doubt most of that stuff had been replaced before- or at least in the last 15 years. It'll be another 10-15 before you'd have to replace them again.

I do love the simplicity or German cars....I did my BMW motor and trans mounts on my back in an hour. Can't do that with a panther.

[1980c10]

Man I've been watching the build on that car for a long time. Its crazy someone on the gmn bought it lol. It was my favorite when it was on color matched stock wheels. Good buy man

[79lincolnlover]

Enjoy! Be sure to keep it green...

[91LTDProject]

Man I've been watching the build on that car for a long time. Its crazy someone on the gmn bought it lol. It was my favorite when it was on color matched stock wheels. Good buy man

What site did you watch it get built on?

[1980c10]

I believe it was on www.stanceworks.com if I am remembering correctly. I could be wrong. I am on alot of forums, I will look around for the build for ya though.

[91waggin]

Fuckin gorgeous.

[91LTDProject]

I know its a bit early to be considering paint options, but I just found this picture of a local car that I drool over everytime I see it. I've always loved this color combo, just trying to picture how the Benz would look painted in a blue like this with a cream/off-white roof and hubcaps that match the roof. Photoshop anyone?

ps- I dont know how the eek smiley got there...

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/P_00046.jpg?t=1303870338

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/P_00051.jpg?t=1303870338

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/P_00050.jpg?t=1303870338

http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu74/OskkarCiejek/_MG_1784.jpg

http://www.tcpglobal.com/images/kusHRF224b.jpg

http://www.tcpglobal.com/images/kusHRG303b.jpg

[1980c10]

I think it would look sick. What wheels are on the car right now? I know it has gone through a few different sets.

[91LTDProject]

I'm buying it with the hubcaps and steelies pictured above, as I didnt care much for the others

[torquelover]

Hi. My name is TL, and I approve of this thread :2up:

[91LTDProject]

She arrived yesterday morning. I had been having a little bit of buyers regret, but it all melted away when it pulled into the driveway. I dont have many pictures so far, but I'm going to wash/wax/polish it tommorow and clean up the engine bay as well. Cleaned out the trunk tonight, and my neighbour/friend are going to start making a template for the floor/sides, and also look into cleaning up the air tank/compressor wiring and re-locating it. Also going to start mocking up a gauge pod for the air gauges since the previous owner never finished it, and I'm going to remove all the laminated wooden trim and take it to a luthier friend of mine to see if it can be restored or duplicated.

Also on the agenda is that the car currently has no stereo. The previous owner had mocked up kickpanel templates out of cardboard and covered them with carpet, so I'm probably going to just copy those using MDF since he did a pretty good job, and then get some really good speakers and find the most stock looking speaker grills I can. Still have to figure out what to do for rear speakers, how I'm going to mount them in the rear deck and make them look factory....

Anyways, the only pic I have so far, I'll be taking plenty tommorow and updating as I go along with the rest of the project... Enjoy!

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF1969.jpg

[1987cp]

My first thought on seeing the pictures was "Uh, you're going to want to get out your camber gauge ASAP ....". :banana:


Just watched the vid. The air ride controls are pretty slick. I like the fact that nothing looks like it was added. A lot of those setups I see involve some obviously tacked-on control panel for the compressor and vent solenoids. Hiding the controls in the ashtray and re-purposing another factory switch looks quite clean.

That's true, it is nice how there's nothing weird about the interior.


That car reminds me of a ratty S-10 I used to see eons ago. It was lowered pretty radically, and had a sticker saying "No fat chicks - the truck will scrape".

[gadget73]

I actually saw a bagged Mark VII this weekend. Big metal box stuck right in the middle of the center console with switches. On the other hand, I saw another one that had the tripminder deleted and the HVAC controls moved to that spot. In the original radio location, it had gauges, and in the original HVAC spot it had a navigation system screen. It wasn't stock, but it was a clean install that didn't look tacked on. Making it look like it belongs there is more difficult, but the results are worth it.

[91LTDProject]

Some shots from today. First batch is how it arrived at my house...

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF1981.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF1980.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF1972.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF1979.jpg

wood trim I need to restore...

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF1978.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF1977.jpg

Gauges I need to build a pod for...

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF1974.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF1975.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF1973.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF1971.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF1970.jpg

After engine bay powerwash/degrease and car after three step Mother's wax job (cleaner/polish and sealer/carnuba wax, pics dont do it justice), and polishing all the chrome we could. Paints actually in alot better shape than I thought. Also a pic of the retrofitted HID's and projectors (forget what they are out of, some sort of european car). Also started mocking up a gauge cluster today, my neighbour was bored while I was waxing it, so he whipped something up out of a sheet of aluminum and some wood just to get an idea. Turned out pretty good, dont have any pics though. Also found out he has access to a pressbrake, so all I have to do it get some sheetmetal and get my measurements down, then bend it up...

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF1983.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF1984.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF1985.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF1986.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF1987.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF1988.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF1989.jpg


Picking up an oil filter and new valve cover gasket tommorow after work, going to set the valves up, do an oil change and change the fuel filter. Also if I have time, the right inner CV boot needs to be changed. The previous owner included two 100% new CV axles with the car as well as a CV boot kit, so I dont know whether to do the axles or the boot...

[1987cp]

Wood trim made of wood? That actually seems pretty amazing from a Ford perspective!

[91LTDProject]

Wood trim made of wood? That actually seems pretty amazing from a Ford perspective!

I miss the "wood" trim that was in my fords lol

[91LTDProject]

Couple more pics from tonight. Not going to get a chance to touch it today, have too much side work to do, but I did pick up a new valvecover gasket and an oil filter on the way home from work. $17 for the filter, $10 for the gasket...

I'm also re-thinking my original decision of re-painting it a flat colour...

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF1991.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF1990.jpg

[gadget73]

I wouldn't paint that a flat color, but I generally dislike flat paint on anything. Luxury cars in particular should be shiny though.

[87DeuceVic]

That thing is nasty mang!! I like the paint thats on it, but a flat color would be cool. I think you should do some scallops down the sides and maybe hood/trunk.

[91LTDProject]

No scallops on this one, I find scallops only really work for me on 30's/40's stuff.

It rained here today, so when I got home, I peeled back all the carpet to check for wetness, found alot of it in the cabin and the trunk. Also, the drivers floorboard is pretty nasty, but the good news is they look really simple to make. Also had the battery die on me while I was messing around, seems it dosent like to charge at idle until you blip the throttle, then all is normal...

Also popped the CD the previous owner gave me containing the Mercedes Benz factory manual for this car and over a dozen others. Its all set up with flash and is really quite great, as I now have all the specs I was worrying about finding. Bad news is the cv axles look like an absolute bastard to replace, and I have an inner boot thats non-existant...

[Rodentkiller]

Now you are getting to find out that MBZ are a PITA to work on!

[91LTDProject]

This is the easiest car to work on I've ever owned actually. I did a double take of the rear axle job and its looking alot easier than I thought, but I'd kill someone for a lift to do it on. Heading out to the garage to pull the valvecover and set the valves st the moment...

[91LTDProject]

Got it done. I had to "customize" a pair of wrenches to set the valves, they got the job done, but it would have been much easier if the open ends were straight and not offset. All in all a pretty simple but slightly time consuming job, to gain access to the valves, 4 bolts hold the throttle linkage in place and another four hold the valvecover on, and thats it. Didnt get to drive it after I was done, but the engine was definatly quieter and smoother sounding. 3 out of the 10 valves didnt require adjusting, the rest were too tight. Warmed it up and wanted to change the oil afterwards, only to discover the Germans were using massive allen key drainplugs in 1976 as well :facepalm:, just means I have to make a run to work tommorow to get the tool I need. On to the pictures!

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF1992.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF1995.jpg

All the cam lobes showed almost no signs of wear!

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF1996.jpg

No gunk built up in the valve cover either

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF1998.jpg

New VC Gasket

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF1999.jpg

and installed, one of the easiest valvecover jobs I've ever done, certainly much easier than my crown vic...

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF2001.jpg

Meant to get a before and after video of how the valve adjust changed how it ran, but never got to it...

[gadget73]

ah, OHC with solid rockers. Never had to do one of those, but I've done solid lifter OHC motors before. I wouldn't figure a 70s Mercedes with an NA diesel motor would be all that hard to work on. That was prior to the days where they were making things overly complex just for the sake of making it overly complex. Looks like the motor is pretty clean inside too.

[91LTDProject]

Ya, there is pretty much no dirt in the top end, I was expecting alot worse, but all I had to do was take a rag and wipe lightly and there was nice clean metal underneath. Off to the junkyard today to see what they have, mainly looking for throttle cable hardware, trunk carpet, and a spare tire...

[91LTDProject]

Not much at the junkyard, picked up a throttle pedal which mine was missing, but after seeing how they attach, I know why I dont have one now. The bracket it attached to on the floor has partially rotted, so I will have to make a new one.

Dropped the oil out of it today, everything was fine until I went to put the new oil filter in, and it was totally different than the new one I got. Returned the one I originally bought and went to a Benz dealership to see what they had. They didnt have one in stock, but they ordered one for me and it was actually $4 less than the aftermarket one. The adventure continued when I got home and put the old filter back in because the car had to be mobile, tightened it up then pulled it off the ramps, only to get out and find 4 litres of nice black diesel oil on the ground. Turns out theres some plastic disc that goes on top of the filter when you re-install it, this disc had fallen into the oil drain pan with me seeing it. Removed filter again, installed disc, re-installed filter, all is well except now I have to go buy another jug of 15W40. Replaced the fuel filter while I was working on it as well...

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF2002.jpg

Also took a look at the driveline today. When you drive with it lowered, you get a nasty vibration when you give it throttle. Inspection found the rear flex disc starting to crack, the hanger bearing bracket was loose and flopping around, and the u-joint has a bit of play. Tightened up the hanger bearing bracket and went for a drive, but the issue remains. I dont have much experience diagnosing drivelines, so any input would be appreciated...

[gadget73]

if the U joint has play, I'd bet its not moving through its range of motion smoothly either. Replace both of them and see what you get. It also might have to do with the driveline angle. U joints only work smoothly within a certain range. If you try and flex it too far, they bind and jam up. Don't know what the shaft angles look like on your car, but you might wanna take a look at how things line up with it lowered. You may find that the diff needs to be tilted one way or the other to get decent alignment with the driveshaft when lowered. Without having a clue how the diff mounts in this, I'll let you figure out how to get that done. The usual answer is adjustable upper control arms, or with angled shims on leaf sprung cars.

[1980c10]

The car has IRS right? The cv's shouldn't be a problem riding low unless they are bad. It's most likely something else. I have had and been around several extremely low hondas with serious angle on the cv's and never had a problem.

[91LTDProject]

This car dosent actually use u-joints at either end like a typical RWD setup, it uses "flex discs", two large, thick pieces of rubber that bolt to a flange at either end...

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR6lhTeKD_TOMF1vccAKprOr7N1Y7Ra_ uXnFa7qA2Z3L1_YdCt0&t=1

Then there is a triangular flange on the transmission, and another triangular flange on the driveshaft they bolt to, same goes for the rear end...

http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/ja17/20071127192514_assembly.JPG

There is one u-joint in the driveshaft behind the hanger bearing (mine is closest to the one at the bottom)

http://www.drivetrain.com/images/stories/product_imgs_large/mercedes_driveshaft_onsomble.jpg

The diff is mounted with a large rubber block at the back of it

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh219/WGB_album/Reardiffmount.jpg

And is also attached to the rear subframe, the entire assembly has to be removed if you want to remove the diff from the car as the top bolts can not be accessed...

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh219/WGB_album/Rearunitbeinglowered.jpg

As far as I can tell, on this vehicle, the only thing changing when you raise and lower it is the angle on the CV shafts. Since the differential is mounted to the frame of the car, everything goes up and down as one. The CV shafts appear original, or at least very old, and I can grab them and move them a fair bit (length wise, theres not much play in the joints themselves). They were probably used for 15-20 years with the stock suspension and were worn in one area more than the rest, and now when you take them out of that position by lowering or raising the car, theres slop within the joint. One inner cv boot has failed, but it has been wrapped up with heavy plastic and ziptied to prevent loss of grease. I'm guessing the noise is coming from the cv shafts. The vibration is also felt when the vehicle is raised all the way.

Two new CV shafts were included with the car, and I plan on replacing just about everything else in the driveline prior to getting any serious driving done, as the parts are not all that expensive. Going to change the flex discs, hanger bearing, pinion seal, axle seals, u joint and diff mount along with the CV shafts...

[gadget73]

ok, so driveshaft angle isn't the problem. Are the CV joints good? Those are usually good for a significant amount more angle than a U joint. They usually will move lengthwise. Might want to do that a few times to mush the grease around. I had problems with my Beetle clunking in the cold, and the guy at the import shop told me to just jerk the shaft off a bit to spread the grease around. The problem went away, but I think i should have made the car buy me dinner or something first.

[Crownvicman289]

Your headlights might have windshield wipers, but my van has a bed I can fuck your sister in.

[91LTDProject]

They actually dont have wipers, and I dont need a van to fuck your sister, shes good to go anywhere....

On another note, picked up the parts car last Sunday. definatly a rust bucket, but its allready supplied me with some parts. Also, I got the car legally on the road Friday the 17th, put 70 miles on it today and couldnt be happier. Took a trip to the Benz dealer to pick up an oil filter I ordered, and the RR turn signal stopped working. Found out when I got home it was just a bulb. Also scared the shit out of a bunch of kids last night with the airhorn, I laughed my ass off....

[91LTDProject]

I put 190 miles on the car over the weekend. I've never been honked at/yelled at/had so many strangers approach me in my life. I went out for a friends birthday last night, and when I parked at the pub, a younger guy and a 6-7 year old came out to look at it. I let the kid get in the drivers seat and fool around with the air-ride, I dont think I've ever seen a kid that happy, he didnt want to leave. I let him do it because I know if someone had let me do that when I was that age, I would have been the happiest kid on the planet...

Anyways, I picked up the parts car last Sunday and trailered it back to my house, around 100-120km. Cost me $225 including fuel to rent the U-haul for a one-way trip. It was pleasing to find out when I got home that the car dolly could not be backed up (if theres a way, I couldnt figure it out) due to not being able to lock the pivot on the dolly. Pain in the ass. The parts car is a total rustbucket, but is in typical shape for most of these cars, made me appreciate just how good of shape the green one is in despite the rust it has. I've allready swapped some parts from it that were in better shape onto the green one, and I may have found a home for the engine/transmission/driveshaft in a 40's Chevy pickup truck thats going to be used as a promotional vehicle for a landscaping company I used to work for. Parts car had great wood trim on the dash, darker than mine with some really nice grain, but one piece is completely destroyed :(, so no-go for swapping that....

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF2003.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF2004.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF2005.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF2006.jpg
You can see the floor falling out of it, made for a fun drive home...

Couple issues noticed since I started driving the green one: passenger rear door unlocks when you start the engine, sometimes you can manually lock it, sometimes you cant. I've replaced two RR turn signal bulbs since Friday, the filiments seem to be intact and theres no burning of the bulb, but they just stop working, going to pick up brand new bulbs tommorow (been stealing them from the spare tail-lights that were in the parts car). The auto transmission is leaking bad enough that it bothers me, so I'm probably going to take care of that soon. The bushings in the shifter linkage are in desperate need of replacement, $5 in parts, but a crappy job that involves hugging the transmission. All minor stuff thats easily fixed, and expected from a 35 year old foreign vehicle...

On tommorows schedule, I'm going to look at another parts car that has been sitting in front of a local import car garage for at least ten years. Want to see if they will let any parts go, it has nice wood trim, rare/expensive glass european headlights (same as the ones in the green car), and a really nice beige interior. Theres also another 300D I pass everyday on my way home from work, its been parked in front a little independant garage as long as I can remember. It has the stupid rare/expensive original Becker radio in it, which is the only thing I really want from it. I went in to see if any parts were available, but the owner of the car was not there. However, I was told under no circumstances that any parts would be sold from the car seperatly, the car would have to go as a whole. If he does not want too much for it, I'll get it towed home, take what I want, then call the wreckers to pick it up....

That was too much typing, forcing myself to stay up because I'm back on afternoons tommorow. Yay, no life for the next two weeks....

[gadget73]

Becker radio? Not one I'm familier with. I thought most German cars had Telefunken or Blaupunkt radios in them.

[91LTDProject]

Thread unlocked! Dunno why it was in the first place....

2:30 in the morning on my way home from work, craptacular iphone picture....

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/IMG_0311.jpg

[marquisman]

now that i think of it, there is one of them cars sitting at a local guys house. its black and i have never seen it move.

[91LTDProject]

Hmm, I need interior parts. Theres two '76 300D's close to me that have been sitting in the same spots for 10+ years, one has an immaculate interior, the other has a really rare radio in it. Neither owner will sell any parts off them, only the whole cars. I'm waiting for the one guy to get back from holidays so I can talk to him, and I went to see the other guy yesterday. This car has been sitting in front of this tiny little import garage for as long as I can remember, I used to look at it every time we drove by it when I was a kid. I stopped to see about buying some parts off it, and was told no, you have to buy the whole car. I dont need the whole car, but if its cheap enough, I'd consider buying it, taking what I want, then towing it to the wreckers.

I stopped one night to inspect it before I went to talk to the guy and this car is totally rotten beyond saving, but he didnt know I'd allready looked at it. He starts giving me a spiel about how clean it is, how rust free it is, etc. I ask him what he wants for it, tells me he paid $500 for the car, $500 for the engine/transmission, and it has a brand new $200 battery in it (but theres no engine in the car, nor has there been one for years :screwy:) and that he wants $1200 for it, only because he's desperate for the room in his lot, and that if he dosent get $1200, he's going to put it back together and have it re-painted. I told him theres no chance that car will ever bring $1200, and that I'd either give him $500 and take the car off the lot that afternoon, or I'd give him $500 for all the parts I want from it and the car could stay there. He wouldnt go for either, saying he would rather keep it and restore it. I told him I've not seen the car move in over 10 years, and that I've allready looked it over and the body is far beyond salvageable, its pretty obvious to me that nothing is ever going to get done to it and its going to sit here and continue to rot. He pondered my offer for a couple minutes then said no, so I thanked him and left. As I got into my car, he ran out and asked for my phone number, so maybe he is thinking about it, I dunno. Stubborn old europeans...

The other car I'm trying to get parts off of has also been sitting in the same spot since I was a child. I went in to ask about it, and was told by someone in the shop that under no circumstances wouldn any parts be sold off it unless the whole car was bought. Its also beyond saving, even worse than the other one, but has a decent interior and a really rare Becker factory radio, which is what I'm after. Its a $500 car at most, and thats what I'm going to offer him when the owner gets back from vacation.

Theres also another mid-70's Mercedes up the road from me thats been sitting there forever. I've not stopped to look at it yet, but the old man that owns it is a hoarder, and has probably 30-40 vehicles on his propery amongst 1000's of other things. He is also a massive asshole from what I've heard, and he will not let anything go unless he gets exactly what he wants for it, and he wants more than top dollar. I may stop in anyways, if for nothing else just to see how ridiculous his prices are....

And for Thain, the Becker radio....

http://www.blackforestllc.com/becker/europa_m5/banner.jpg

[1980c10]

classy looking radio. Keep it up. I would love to have this thing.

[1980c10]

Stumbled across the build thread finally lol. I was looking for some manual valve and I hit google images and I picture of your ashtray showed up, I clicked it and it linked to the build thread.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?3884094-The-Colour-of-Money

[91LTDProject]

Picked up some new shoes for the benz Sunday, BBS RS 008's in the front and 009's in the rear....

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/IMG_0314.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/IMG_0316.jpg

[johnunit]

nice! I think I still prefer the steelies, but those look sweet too.

[gadget73]

I like it.

[marquisman]

nice, them BBS' look great on there mang!

[P72Ford]

Green for the money, and gold for the honeys.

Looks sweet with the BBS wheels!

[91LTDProject]

Have to find some hub-centric rings for them, then the lips and centre nuts will be getting polished and the face and barrels will be colour matched to whatever colour I paint the car. The steels will still be the main wheels for this car though...

Also, I entered the car in a radio contest, so if any of you are bored, stop by the website and vote for me! Thanks guys

http://www.htzfm.com/nutsnbolts/browse.aspx

[91LTDProject]

So, had my first real issue today. I was in the house, and came outside to work in the yard for a bit, and my neigbour told me that his wife heard a pop and a bunch of air escaping from something. I looked at the Benz and it was sitting the same way it was parked the night before. I looked inside and the gauge that reads the air tank pressure was at 0psi. Hooked up the air tank in the car to my garage air compressor and aired it up to find the main line from the air tank to the splitter that goes to the paddle valves blown. No big deal, took me 5 minutes to remove the rear seat, the center console, cut the zipties and pull the old line through. Just have to go to work tommorow and pick up some 3/8"s airline...

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF2009.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF2010.jpg

Threw some electrical tape on the brake knowing it wouldnt hold, but I just wanted to get the front suspension aired up so I could move it a bit easier (due to a fuel leak, I park it with the nose down and the trunk up so it starts without having to prime it in the morning)

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF2011.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF2012.jpg

Also, after three weeks of searching for new whitewall tires (I gave up) I found a set of nearly new used ones on kijiji with a set of steel wheels from the same year as mine. Hankook 185/75R14, almost the same size as the european sized tires that it came with. Picked up the rims and tires for $100, rims are heading off to be powdercoated next week, dont know whether to go black or silver...

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF2013.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF2014.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF2015.jpg

And I put almost 1000 miles on it in the first two weeks I've had it on the road....

[79lincolnlover]

My vote is for silver rims.

[gabegt90]

Car looks bad ass Zach mang hope to see it at scottfet how's. The MPG do you put regular. Or bio in the. Tank

[91LTDProject]

Having alot of trouble finding bio in my area. My neighbour is making it for a landscaping company he used to work for, but theres only enough for their trucks to blend B5 or 10. Theres a business up the road from me making it, but every time I go there, theres no one there and the place looks abandoned. The guy who owned/built the car worked for a company that made real biodiesel/designed and manufactured equipment that made biodiesel, so he got it from work and advertised his company "Methes Biodiesel" on the back, he just removed the first part of the sticker before I got the car. I left it on there cause I like peope knowing that its a diesel. In the future, I may try and re-install a factory diesel badge.

In other news, I picked up a 3/8ths union from work to repair the airline, except the airline is metric and slightly smaller than 3/8". Got up to about 80 psi before it blew off. Looks like I"m either going to have to order the metric line from the manufacturer, or convert it to 3/8ths....

[torquelover]

Good to see this car getting love. I grew up in those things, always a Benz around in the family until the late 90's or so. All had Becker radios, and they all sounded like shit. How is the one you posted? Looks fitting for the vintage, for sure.

[91LTDProject]

I've not yet aquired the Becker, its in a car that the owner refuses to sell any parts off of. He's back from vacation, so I have to take a trip to his shop this week and see what the deal is. If the car is cheap enough, I'm going to buy the whole thing and scrap the POS parts car thats in my driveway. I'm more after it for looks, I've been to the local audio shop and picked out everything I want for my sound system which includes a modern headunit that will be hidden under the dash (by left drivers leg, previous owner had his mounted there).

I was bored tonight, so I started tossing around ideas of what I'm going to do to clean up the air-ride managment in the trunk. I had a few ideas in my head, then stumbled across this picture of pretty much the exact layout I want. Have to get some cardboard from work tommorow to start making a template for the floor, figure out whether to use push to connect fittings or flared fittings (I think the flared fittings would suit the car better, but they are a pain in the ass). Also hoping to replace the broken airline so I can drive it again. I've not driven it since Friday...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/4970540023_a644532d01_b.jpg

[1980c10]

Hardlines ftw

[gadget73]

push-connect are convenient, but not as durable. Hard line is definitely more effort to run but its quite durable. We have a bunch of air stuff at work. The parts using plastic push-connect have worked OK for about 10 years, but they're now beginning to blow the lines apart randomly. the copper is fine though.

[91LTDProject]

100% going hardlines in copper. I've been making brakelines for years, so am pretty handy with a bender/flaring tool, just have to figure out what type of flares/fittings I will have to use. Will also have to buy a better bending tool...

On another note, I found metric airline at a specialty fittings and hose shop down the road from my work, so the car will be on the road again tonight!

[gadget73]

swagelok is nice. Slightly more difficult to use than compression, but not much. Rated for a lot more pressure too. Single flare would also do the job.

[91LTDProject]

Not much happening with the Merc lately. Picked up some metric airline Monday to fix my blown line, scrubbed some interior pieces with Spray-9 and water (the amount of dirt that came off was ridiculous, and the seats didnt look all that dirty before scrubbing). Since the car didnt come with a stereo, and I have to fix all the water leaks before I put the stereo I want in, I picked up a set of cheap 6.5"s and am going to wire in an old headunit I had laying around. Driving me crazy not having music while I'm driving...

Also decided to see if I can get the A/C working, spent some time at the shop tonight, got the compressor clutch working with test leads, but compressor is seized. Pretty generic Sanden unit, allready sourced one through work as some of our older trucks came equipped with the same compressor. Still undecided on whether to get the A/C functioning or gut it all and have a nice, much less cluttered engine bay....

[gadget73]

I use Spray 9 for all sorts of crap at work. its actually a way better degreaser than the solvent tank we have, and it doesn't destroy stuff like the solvent does sometimes.

[91LTDProject]

Found a Becker! I mentioned earlier that I had found a car with a Becker radio in it, but was told that the owner was not going to sell any parts off it, only the whole car could be purchased. I stopped by this morning to talk to the guy that actually owns it, and he ended up selling me a radio and a pretty decent set of hubcaps (mine are all dented, a couple of these ones have scratches, but no dents, should be able to make a decent set out of the 8 of them). He actually had another Becker radio on the shelf in his shop. He was certain it worked, however I hooked it up to a power source and its dead as a doornail. Does not really bother me, as I had no intentions of using it, as I'm hiding an aftermarket headunit in the car, however I would like to be able to turn the light on in it at night.

I never knew a car headunit could be so complicated! Took some pictures of it dissasembled for you to see the internals. I thought I could pop it open, find a loose solder connection, and be done with fixing it. I was wrong, way beyond my electronic abilities...

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF2016.jpg?t=1310863962

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF2017.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF2018.jpg

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF2019.jpg

All cleaned up and re-assembled, the chrome trim around it is actually metal. And another cool thing, the white on the AM/FM buttons and the "becker Europa" script are no just painted/silkscreened on, the letters are actually cut out of the black, and a white piece of plastic is layed in behind it, I thought this was neat....

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF2022.jpg

And the hubcaps....

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF2021.jpg

The owner is thinking of scrapping the car. The yard offered him $300 for it, so he said he would give it to me for the same. Lots of useable parts, and it is complete, so I'm probably going to buy it and strip it, since the body is toast. Currenty stripping anything useful off the silver car and getting ready to send it to the scrapyard....

[79lincolnlover]

If you get the parts car, take some pics before it gets scrapped.

[91LTDProject]

Theres pics of the parts car I currently have on the second or third page, but I will take pics of the other one if I get it....

Spent tonight locating the cause of the large fuel leak on the Benz. It was not fun, not much room beside the injection pump to work. After an hour, I finally located it, the #4 and 5 lines out of the pump are leaking around the plate that attaches them to the injection pump, so I have to order a seal kit, no biggie. Looking forward to seeing how many miles more I can get out of a tank with out it puking fuel all the time. I tightened the plates down on top of the pump, seems to have slowed the leak down for now.

Also discovered that my radiator is leaking. The bottom rad hose was leaking so I fixed it a couple weeks ago, now it appears the lower tank is leaking on the other side. Probably going to take the rad out and have it re-built come winter, but for now its fine...

[91LTDProject]

Got the Becker wired up to illuminate when I turn on the headlights....

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF2040.jpg?t=1312352357

Bought another car just for the interior, should be able to turn some profit parting it out since it was cheap, however, it will not start no matter what I do, so it will have to be towed....

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/IMG_0344.jpg?t=1312352440

And I got my steels back from the powdercoaters. However, I now realize there are two different wheels there. How I missed it, I dont know, but they both fit the car fine...

http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF2053.jpg?t=1312352528


Currently have to re-organize my center console to install the Becker, Install my temporary stereo because I'm going crazy not having music, get the '79 I bought home and swap the interior, strip the silver parts car and get rid of it, get the radiator fixed or swap it with the one in the '79 if it will work, its leaking pretty bad, and fix the persistent fuel leak I have....

I love driving an old car, keeps me occupied...

[johnunit]

very cool stuff.

Is that 79 as rust-free as it looks?

[91LTDProject]

very cool stuff.

Is that 79 as rust-free as it looks?

Most definatly not... lol

I think with a new pair of front fenders, it could be streetable again. They are rotted in places I've never seen fenders rot. The rest of the car I didnt really look at, was mostly interested in the interior...

[91LTDProject]

I'd been thinking about installing a hardwood floor in the trunk since I got the car. My neighbours wife's father caught wind of the idea, and dontated me a couple boxes of hardwood flooring! My neighbour and I were bored today, so we decided to start the install. Made a template out of some old vinyl flooring, took a trip to Home Depot, transferred in onto plywood, cut, install, trim. A few hours work so far, and its coming together nicely. Would have preferred the boards be a little narrower, but when its free, I cant complain. Next on the list, air management....

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/252016_10150738591835387_896360386_20120854_636578 2_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/249221_10150738592090387_896360386_20120859_336147 4_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/249329_10150738592205387_896360386_20120864_830663 5_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/267221_10150738592280387_896360386_20120865_362377 6_n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/223097_10150738597560387_896360386_20120950_734261 1_n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/226013_10150738592410387_896360386_20120869_741030 0_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/281874_10150738592675387_896360386_20120874_510798 0_n.jpg

Laid some wood in just to see how it looked...

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/281986_10150738592535387_896360386_20120870_823559 0_n.jpg

[slymer]

oooo... shiny

[91LTDProject]

Got the bulk of the hardwood floor done today. Just have to do the back piece now and figure out what to do for trim. Wooden quarter-round looks great, but cant do any curves with it....

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/285397_10150739916375387_896360386_20142208_166109 _n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/267274_10150739916805387_896360386_20142214_271313 1_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/252168_10150739917255387_896360386_20142220_740297 1_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/262841_10150739917805387_896360386_20142228_385018 1_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/185382_10150739918305387_896360386_20142236_832506 2_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/262823_10150739918915387_896360386_20142243_943406 _n.jpg


Also got the new tires mounted on the powdercoated steels this weekend...

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/285131_10150739915575387_896360386_20142199_277786 2_n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/284906_10150739916040387_896360386_20142204_681021 5_n.jpg

[gadget73]

If you steam the wood, it will bend and do curves. Need to build a form to bend it against so you have your curves, and a steaming chamber. There are some vids on youtube, doesn't seem especially hard but making the forms is probably the difficult bit.

[91LTDProject]

Colour matched a set of hubcaps. Complete pain in the ass to mask and cut, but I think the end result was worth it...

Stripping the old ones...

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/307089_10150773158055387_896360386_20558504_782339 1_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/294024_10150773158250387_896360386_20558506_522334 _n.jpg

Mind the overspray, this was just a tester, will end up on the spare wheel in the trunk...

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/319557_10150773158375387_896360386_20558508_371429 9_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/318200_10150773158550387_896360386_20558510_349833 8_n.jpg

The finished product...

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/314854_10150773158685387_896360386_20558512_742342 4_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/300756_10150773158845387_896360386_20558513_156658 4_n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/303801_10150773158970387_896360386_20558514_759184 4_n.jpg

[slymer]

very nice

[torquelover]

If what Thain said doesn't work, I can get you flexible quarter round.

[91LTDProject]

So, its been a while since I posted an update. I was in a "motorcycle" accident in September, and I didnt get to work on the cars much while I was recovering from a skull fracture and plenty of road rash. This last week I've been feeling better, so I've started working on the car again. Winter is just around the corner, so I've taken the Benz off the road and started on the list of repairs I had going.

First thing was to replace the rear axles. The old ones were in terrible shape, I'm actually suprised they lasted as long as they did. Everything I read said this job was terrible, but it ended up not being that bad at all. Required dropping the rear suspension and exhaust, and removing the diff cover. Inside of the diff was clean and free of metal. Replaced the axle seals and axle retainer clips while I was in there. Currently waiting on Mercedes Source for my new diff mount, hanger bearing and flex discs, but I've not had much luck dealing with them so far (they will only take credit card numbers over the phone, but I've been trying for four days to get ahold of them through both email and phone calls with no response). Also having a hell of a time finding new shocks, as both were blown and leaking. Seems no one around here has the ability/desire to look up shocks by the manufacturers part number. Have a couple more parts stores to try tommorow, after that I'll be ordering them off the net...

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/318363_10150882659225387_896360386_21379759_171975 8056_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/298211_10150882658290387_896360386_21379749_316500 816_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/307242_10150882658525387_896360386_21379751_359318 389_n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/300104_10150882658805387_896360386_21379755_196183 112_n.jpg

No leaks, just old undercoat...

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/296315_10150882659555387_896360386_21379763_118400 0346_n.jpg

Tool I made at work to pull the new axles in..


http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/301634_10150882660230387_896360386_21379772_137062 3508_n.jpg

New axles in...
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/315691_10150882659920387_896360386_21379766_108239 5414_n.jpg


Next step was to try and fix the rather large fuel leak coming from the top of the injector pump. Delivery valves 4 and 5 were leaking, so I replaced the copper sealing rings. Good news is that the delivery valves are no longer leaking, bad news is there is still alot of fuel leaking from around the base of #4-5, where the two bolts go into the body of the pump. I'm having a hard time finding info on fixing this problem...

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/299756_10150882660620387_896360386_21379778_962195 _n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/299169_10150882660890387_896360386_21379785_130483 6910_n.jpg


During the summer, I thought about getting the A/C functioning again. Someone had fitted a newer style compressor in, hooked up the lines and stopped there. Inspection found the compressor seized, and that the system had never been switched from R12, so I decided to get rid of it, since I very rarely use air conditioning. Removed the compressor and very large bracket assembly holding it, the main lines and the condensor. Also pulled the radiator. I had a persistent coolant leak that would only occur when the car was cold, and it turned out being a corroded tube, so the radiator is going out this week to be re-built. I was also getting tiny flecks of metal in my coolant, so I pulled the water pump to inspect it. I dont see anything that could be causing metal to end up in the cooling system, but there is a small amount of play in the shaft, so I'm probably going to replace it...


http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/297218_10150882661065387_896360386_21379786_123231 0798_n.jpg


More updates as they happen. Good to be working on it again. I had wanted to tear the car down completely this winter and re-build it from the ground up, but I dont think thats going to happen until I have my own place and somewhere to keep the car permanently (the neighbours allow me to use their garage because they are awesome, and I fix their stuff for them). Looking forward to doing some lengthy road-trips next season after the improvements over the winter...

[91LTDProject]

Received a bunch of stuff I was waiting for from Mercedes, so the car is now back together and driving. Unfortunatly, I have still not received my driveline parts from Mercedes Source...

The run-down of whats been done so far

New shocks all around
clean/re-seal waterpump and thermostat housing
new thermostat
re-cored radiator, upgrade frow two row to three row
new axles
new axle seals all new hose clamps in engine bay
new power steering lines
new waterpump housing to thermostat housing hose
new crankcase vent hose
cooling system flush
power stering system flush
A/C delete, still have to remove condensor and wiring, then plug holes in firewall
replaced injector pump delivery valve seals
scrubbed the engine bay with a stiff bristle brush and degreaser, then power washed
new diff oil
removed front sway-bar since it was not hooked up/cant be used
Awaitng arrival of new differential mount/hanger bearing kit/driveshaft flex-discs


I can not believe the difference in how the car drives now with new shocks and axles. No more vibration while driving lowered/aired out, and much less bounciness over dips and bumps. Also like how the engine bay looks without all the A/C crap in the way, and I;m considering re-locating the battery to the trunk since the bay looks much better without it there...

Rad Before
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/384320_10150906659145387_896360386_21569900_179505 8945_n.jpg

Rad after- Thanks to the guys at Hamilton Radiator for doing a great job
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/386341_10150907851055387_896360386_21576425_852377 070_n.jpg


New front shocks, no pictures of the rears. The rears were hard to find because none of the parts stores would look up shocks by the shock part number, only by vehicle application. After going to three different stores, Napa was able to look them up
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/295756_10150906659595387_896360386_21569905_299369 116_n.jpg

Goodies from Mercedes
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/301029_10150906659770387_896360386_21569910_193261 1187_n.jpg

Re-assembly
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/374307_10150906660035387_896360386_21569915_111044 4107_n.jpg

Test-drive to the car wash
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/375837_10150906660340387_896360386_21569922_119415 2745_n.jpg

Engine bay before...
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF1970.jpg
http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/Zman586/DSCF1971.jpg

Engine bay after...
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/387421_10150907843210387_896360386_21576377_136136 215_n.jpg

Next things on the list are replace the driveline components when they arrive, replace the engine mounts/engine shocks (Left side engine mount has disintigrated due to leaking fuel), fix leaky injector pump, have new oil pan modified to allow installation of skidplate. Also, the transmission has started shifting very poorly, I may have to take it out and have it re-built:banghead:

[91LTDProject]

More new parts from Mercedessource.com

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/379705_10150914723750387_896360386_21627546_108273 474_n.jpg

[gadget73]

good progress is good. I wish I had somewhere to work on my cars, and more importantly the motivation to actually do something with them. I keep looking at stuff and going "F it, its running". I've been sitting on a replacement lower intake for the Towncar for a year now, haven't even sent it out to be ported. I've had heads for the Mark VII for 2 years, still wrapped and sitting on the shelf.

[marquisman]

nice progress. i also wish i had a good place to work on my stuff, since im always motivated. i guess the ol' girl will go in storage soon?

[91LTDProject]

Should have been in storage a while ago, but I've not found a place to put it yet/its been far too nice to put it away

[79lincolnlover]

Don't drive your Benz in the snow.

[91LTDProject]

Don't drive your Benz in the snow.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/405475_10151096595315387_896360386_22329310_127088 9941_n.jpg

Picked up a package from the powdercoaters ya few days ago, came out a little more yellow than the color tag looked, but I'm still very happy. They look much more gold in sunlight...

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/402644_10151145429890387_896360386_22555130_186384 8822_n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/394359_10151145428475387_896360386_22555122_203651 9781_n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/394286_10151145428735387_896360386_22555123_853512 24_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/409537_10151145429020387_896360386_22555124_153496 6545_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/384818_10151145429190387_896360386_22555125_546193 805_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/401997_10151145429440387_896360386_22555127_130328 7523_n.jpg

Started tearing down the engine bay today so I can get everything to the powdercoaters. I wanted to wait until I had the engine out and I could do the complete bay all at once, but when you have the opportunity to do something, sometimes you have to take it! Traded the suspension in the Jetta for pretty much whatever I want powdercoated. Even the girlfriend helped me, though we didnt get much done due to the fact it was -13*c out and I forgot both my light (so we could see with the garge closed) and my portable heater. Look for more pics of the teardown throughout the week...

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/404745_10151157575230387_896360386_22598704_594541 402_n.jpg

Reference pictures, I can never remember how these damn linkages go back together...

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/399626_10151157575405387_896360386_22598707_195039 6627_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/401490_10151157575565387_896360386_22598710_974813 804_n.jpg

Smiling, though she was not that impressed with me forgetting the heater...

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/406617_10151157576000387_896360386_22598717_209940 6230_n.jpg

Done for the day, no feeling in fingers or toes. Not much progress, but still filled a whole box with stuff. Heading back sometime during the week when its a bit warmer...

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/394687_10151157576250387_896360386_22598719_206893 0234_n.jpg

[mgmgermany]

Hi Kaptain Kanuck,
this is JoJo from the other side of the pond, Germany to be exact.
I had 2 of these wonderful cars at the time they haven`t reach the Vintage status yet.
I have quite good connections to Mercedes-Benz parts supply, if you need anything rare to find,
just drop me a PM (please state VIN) and I will be happy to see what we can do for you over here.
Of course, this it not business, just private assistance.
Lot of good old Becker radios available here; although they are gettin more and more pricey.

Have a great weekend

JoJo

[classic87merc]

I love the green, but its a 10 foot paintjob. I was thinking if I can find flat green or something, I'm not a big fan of shiny paint. I'm also looking at painting it an OEM Mercedes color, Benz had alot of really cool, funky colors back in the 70's. I do know that the rood is staying a beige/cream color, and the hubcaps will be painted to match the roof...

Heres the cars factory color...

http://gallery.dasjettakartell.com/albums/userpics/10008/normal_IMG_9465s.jpg

And heres how it looked after he first started modifying it...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2093/2522204191_2c710ab869.jpg



one of my dream car...i would love to have the pleasure of owning this baby =]

i'd install a white ragtop sunroof [manual or electric] either or to jazz up the 70s VW vibe.

[classic87merc]

Green for the money, and gold for the honeys.

Looks sweet with the BBS wheels!


:rofl: lol sweet :2up: