W116.org

Hi.
Just an update for anyone interested, the big bad green Crayford wagon is going great. I have tidied up a few things, tuned and serviced it and had a proper wheel alignment done, so now it's running good.
I fitted a left-hand door mirror, it didn't originally have one, but I prefer them on all my cars.
It also now has one of those W116.org chrome/enamel badges on the grille, which of course makes it go faster!
Booked in for rego at the end of this week, so I will get the timing chain renewed, always a worry on a 250,000km car with no service history, and as the air-con compressor has to come off to remove the chain tensioner, I will replce that with a working one from my W123 parts car and get it regassed.
The W123 has also given up it's self-levelling rear suspension parts as I want to reinstall that too, but I do need a pair of the right coil springs.
The previous owner said he had kept them, but after messing me about he sold them elsewhere.
John Green has a pair, but can't get to the donor car easily at the moment, so I may have to wait a while to finish that job.
I will try to get the poorer patches of mis-matched green attended to with a better match for the short term, before taking it off the road next year for a full bare-metal repaint to original Silver-Green. (That was the name of the colour on a 1976 M-B colour chart, not as I previously thought, Thistle Green). That full resto will have to wait until I have completed my 1927 Ford Model T to free up the garage space.
Either way, it will be attending the Shannons Eastern Creek Classic on August 24th as part of the M-B NSW Club display, so any W116 fans come and say G'day.
BTW, How's Rolf coming along?
SeeYa,
Chris M.

im interested in your posts - kee[p up the good work....a couple of years ago, someone advertised a crayford in clapped out condition for under a grand.  only problem, was for sale in mt barker which is about 500km from perth so i couldnt be bothered at the time...in retrospect, would have been pretty cool!

good luck with the project

Thanks Nathan,
this car is fairly sound, just minor cosmetics needed, and with the SLS fitted will be a useful daily wagon. I will keep regular updates posted, as and when I get the odd parts I need.
Next, I am on the trail of a possible 6.9 too, always wanted one, obviously that would have to be a Sunday only car (couldn't afford to use it daily, unless I invade Iraq myself) but if that happens I guess the 450 SLC will have to go!
SeeYaLater!
Chris M.

It's looking pretty darn good Chris.  Did I read the post right so far as there was SLS on there originally? If you've got a blank on the engine where the pump would normally go don't throw it.  Although I think you can buy them new they're sought after regardless by people converting to conventional suspension. Might be worth throwing it on ebay. 

Good luck with the rest of the SLS.  I can't offer any spare springs up at the moment as they're still attached to cars I'm wrecking at a snail's pace.  JG might be your best bet for the moment. 

Hi Oscar,
it's always a pleasure to see that little (?) T-shirt pop up again!
Yes, it did originally have SLS, but a previous owner replaced it with regular springs and dampers after getting some dodgy advice about it was not worth fixing, or too expensive.
In my experience it is quite serviceable, and particularly useful on one that has been converted to a wagon, (with a tow-bar too) as it would be more stable in use.
I am slowly dismantling my old W123 280E sedan which has SLS and it has been regularly serviced, spheres replaced a couple of years back and works 100%, so I have all the hydraulic parts, it is just the coil springs that differ.
The pump on the front has been bodged with a crudely made blanking plate, not sure exactly how until I get it off, so nothing of value there, and I will use the one off the W123.
The front is all good now, alignment done, etc, but the replacement springs on the back are too low, and it wallows around, so I am keen to get the system back working right, and hope for a proper Mercedes ride quality.
A Merc mechanic I use will fit it all up, and he thinks he may have a pair of springs, but I will update on that in a couple of weeks.
All looking good though,
thanks for your comments,
Chris M.