W116.org

Taking apart my '74 450SE before it gets sent away to a shop who only wants the engine for a R107.
Since I'm not getting paid anything for giving them my car, I want to take as much valuable parts off it as possible. I only have basic tools and no jacks mind you.

Already have the grill and hubcaps off, and I plan to remove the seats to create a stylish living room.

Suggestions on what else to take off?

Edit: I don't have room to store large objects like the bumpers or the whole dashboard.

Zagato it's sad that you're having to sell it just for the engine.  I hope the other pieces can go to good homes.

Pieces that are relatively easy to strip with basic tools as far as I know:
- All the chrome and brightwork (if it is in good condition), and external trim, especially the bumpers
- The internal pieces of trim, steering wheel etc are all pretty easy to remove (OK so that's a lie about the steering wheel - can be hard to get off, as I well know), carpets etc
- Front/rear lights would be worth pulling out  (were Canada-delivered cars Euro-spec?  There's bound to be someone south of the border looking for front lights/Euro bumpers)
- Pieces of the console and HVAC clusters, if they're in good condition.

Getting a dash out sounds like a nightmare from what people have said - and someone else should be able to give you some guidance on the other bits and pieces that are beyond my knowledge!  (especially other mechanicals)

My advice - sell the 190e and get another w116!

All the best,
Matt.

Matt:

Unfortunately I'm not getting money for the engine either. This is a sacrifice as the w116 is considered worthless here unless in top condition (perfect '79 300SD I've seen advertised for $2,500).

-I would say the only brightwork worth saving on the car would be the wing mirrors, badges and door handles. All those shiny window trim, while decent condition, I haven't got the room for. No room for the large cumbersome US-specification bumpers either.
-Something I'd like to save is that rather nice chrome grill for the cabin fresh air intake ahead of the windscreen. How do you go about removing it? I remember a topic brought up about this somewhere on this forum but I can't find it.
-Steering wheel, leaving with the car. I feel that wherever it ends up it should have at least one three pointed star where it counts.
-Carpets are damp and probably moldy by now judging by the smell. Staying with the car.
-You're right, rear lights and maybe all indicators may be worth something so I'll pull them. Headlights, this is a US-spec car with the ineffective sealed beams. Those stay.
-Pulling out the whole dashboard is something I don't think worth doing. Not really interchangeable with the other more popular sedans and roadsters. Plus no space to store it. But I'll take a crack at those HVAC clusters.



The lovely burl walnut (or Zebrawood?) trim on the dash looks valuable. Any Ideas on how to get it off without damaging it?

Oh one day I'll get a w116 again for sure. Time to save up for a mint condition 6.9!

Thanks,
Jason

Wow Jason - is there really no saving it if you're not getting any money for it?  Surely an exhaust manifold (used) can't be impossible to find!  Of course, that all takes time and money.

Ditch those US-spec bumpers, you'll be doing the world a favour (and yes, I know some people like them!).

The grille ahead of the windscreen can be removed by taking the wipers off then sliding it forward (Oscar mentions this here Link)

Shame to waste that brightwork if it's in good condition but it can be bulky.  See if anyone responds and maybe they can take it from you quickly if they want it!

The wood across the dash (and glove box) is probably Zebrano (stripey)  - I seem to recall a few posts recently (either Tim, Major Tom or Nathan) about its safe removal.  Sounded kinda tricky but doable.  There's one listed on eBay at the moment for abut $50 Link

Oh and the Becker radio if your car has it is definitely worth something - don't forget that and the amp box underneath the glove box.

MT, Tim and Nathan pull these cars apart like you wouldn't believe - they might have some more advice.

Good luck!

Matt.

Hard call on what to save with limited space, rear lights and whatever good interior parts you can store, the wood would be a minimum.


Hinge up the small cover on the wiper arm pivot and remove nut, hinge up wiper arm and remove (might need a bit of force). Pull off black plastic cone piece, remove nut. Grille is held by four expanding plastic rivets, with a pointy tool, push the locking pin in the middle of the rivets right through and out of the rivet. The grille should now be free.

koan 

I would keep anything you can remove, within reason...

Things like the instrument cluster, glove box door, interior trim are worthwhile things to keep.

The only way to remove the woodwork properly is to remove the dash top, but it is probably worth the effort, as it is reasonably sought after.

Many of these cars are going to the crusher with little removed, and that's not cool.

Tim

I understand the dash is hard to get out, but depending on the colour, if it has no cracks I would pay you enough to make removal worth your while.  what colour is the dash, and specifically where are you located?

A German buyer, who was looking for the cheap to insure in Germany classic V8's, helped me find all the rust on the car. That was one of the contributing factors to convince me it isn't worth the time and money rescuing the beast again. I'd rather buy a mint condition W116 in the future than spend thousands restoring mine. Even though the car is rather special to me.


Unfortunately my car does not have the lovely Becker radio. Instead it has this odd Vector Research stereo:

It works OK and I have the manual for it. I'm guessing it's a dealer option in the States?

The amp box? Sounds doable but I hope it's easy to spot.


Thanks. This grill will be one of the important pieces to tie the W116 theme living room together!


Instrument cluster I may or may not leave. Here it is:

Glove box door, sure thing. It has a crack in it though:



How is removing the dash top done?


Unfortunately the dash has a big crack near the instrument cluster. It looks far more obvious looking at it with your own eyes than the pictures lead you to believe:



Thanks for the advice so far guys. I'll be sure to take many photos when stripping day begins.

Jason

Jason, thanks for the effort in compiling that information.  The cracks in the dash are fairly common place, and usually are much worse here in the harsh South African climate.  that's why I have been looking at ex-northern hemisphere used items - but the size of the dash means shipping to South Africa will be very expensive, and hence the dash needs to be perfect to justify the costs. 

How come most glove boxes doors sag or dont look straight? Is there a way to fix this?

We talked about this before and decided it was the overly strong spring on the light switch.

Is there a fix? Doubt it, should have removed the spring 30 years ago.

koan

Koan, I think you're on the money there with the spring removal. Indeed it's a bit late, now that they're stuffed almost without exception.

Tim

Why dont you get anything paid for the engine? I have been trying to get a hold of a new engine for my 280s and engines are sold for as much as 6000 NOK which will be approx 1000 $.

JanE

Quick question,
someone is interested in purchasing the horn system. How much should I sell it for?

A packet of cigarettes and a firm handshake.. 

Or, maybe $50.  You talking about just the horns off the front?  Is it the standard round metal ones, or do you have the secondary horns also - the air / fanfare horns??

Cam.