The W126

[TJ 450]

Quietly, in the background, I have been working on my 126.

I just got the heads back from Performance Modifications in Osborne Park. They were sand blasted and surfaced. I now need to have new valve guides installed and possibly new valves, if required. These were in good condition, with only very slight corrosion.

The 450's heads are next in line, depending on corrosion and how much welding needs to be done, or whether they are junk.

The engine and transmission are going to be fully rebuilt. You might ask, why would I bother? Lets just say that this car is worth a lot more to me than its market value. Besides, it has a very straight body and the rust is well under conrol.

It's not about to win the concours though.

Also, to fill in on a little background, here some pics of the progress so far. The assortment of replacement parts are courtesy of Nathan.

Heads...

By tim_w116, shot with DMC-FX01 at 2009-12-16


By tim_w116, shot with DMC-FX01 at 2009-12-16


By tim_w116, shot with DMC-FX01 at 2009-12-16

Vehicle...

By tim_w116, shot with DMC-FX01 at 2009-12-16


By tim_w116, shot with DMC-FX01 at 2009-12-16


By tim_w116, shot with DMC-FX01 at 2009-12-16


By tim_w116, shot with DMC-FX01 at 2009-12-16

Tim

[s class]

Very nice.  Why is/was the dash out of the W126?

[TJ 450]

The dash was out for a rust repair in the inner firewall, as well as to replace the dash with a good one. The whole interior has been removed and redone. I just need to sort out the wood and the headlining at some point.

Tim

[s class]

That's a lot of work.  At least good used W126 dashes are available, not like the situation for W116's. 

[TJ 450]

Very true. I should add that PB has been of great assistance during this work, with the dash installation, rust repair, engine removal and providing a home for the car all the while.

It will be relocated at some point in the near future though.

I should also clarify that the interior was redone with used parts from Nathan's wrecks.

Yes, 116s have seen the elements that little bit more.

Tim

[Big_Richard]

she is a very straight example of a w126

mechaniccally it will also be perfect eventually, and for not much money it will be a very reliable, nice driving, daily driver.

[flutes]

Nice looking car Tim.  Are you going to hold onto it as a daily driver?

[TJ 450]

That's the plan, as both my 116s need a reasonable amount of bodywork to be respectable drivers in the long term. I had never intended on using the 6.9 as a daily driver, but now it is about to endure the onslaught of driving around Perth everyday for a few weeks.

I think the 380 will be a good compromise and relatively practical for driving large distances everyday.

Tim