Recent Posts

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Mechanicals / Re: sluggish 450SE

« Last post by larrud on Today at 09:32 AM »

My "vintage" MB mechanic has a very good reputation but I think he's just tired of messing with my car. I bought this car on Bring a Trailer and, quite frankly, I got taken. Everything was wrong with the car and it had been sitting in storage for 10 years. He fixed "everything" and now we're down to this last, but all important item. The car does has D Jetronic. All items such as plugs, cables, points, injectors were replaced. I used to be a DIY'er but that was a looooong time ago on American iron. I no longer have the time or knowledge for this and am looking for someone who is willing to take the time to pore over every aspect of this vehicle. My mechanic has many customers with much later "plug and play" vehicles and bottomless checkbooks, so I can see why he's tired of me. I'm very picky and my expectations are perfection, but I am willing to pay for it. I'm just at a dead end in the road right now. I'm in SW Florida and he's the only guy within 100 miles who does this kind of work. Right now, the car just sits because it's not enjoyable to drive. I'd ship it someone who wouldn't try but guarantee to get it right.

Thanks for the feedback.

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Mechanicals / Re: Window regulatot

« Last post by marku on Today at 06:12 AM »

OK will look.

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Interiors & Exteriors / Re: Audio system installation

« Last post by nathan on Today at 03:57 AM »

PMCG,
id second TJ, its something you can do yourself and you will take much better care of your car.  Car stereo shops are full of guys who will work in the industry for a couple of years and have very little pride in their work.  They will butcher wiring harnesses, snaps interior trim bits and generally do a sloppy job.  Wiring in a car radio is not complicated.  Im no electrician but started myself, and have now fit over a dozen systems to various MBs of ours.  My own advice is resist the temptation to cut holes in trim or rear parcel shelves for bigger speakers.  in 5 years, you will likely regret this and you cant find the pieces to replace them.  good luck and if you do it yourself, start a thread and im sure we can all assist. personally,i stick to alpine head units and they have proven reliable. best of luck, Nathan
ps the system in my 6.9 I fit 10 years ago. I have since replaced the deck in the glovebox which was very easy as the harness' was the same
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSOtJ-sal5E

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Mechanicals / Re: What is this part ?

« Last post by Big Tiny on Today at 03:45 AM »

Removed from car.

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Mechanicals / What is this part ?

« Last post by Big Tiny on Today at 03:44 AM »

Can anyone enlighten me on this part attached to the throttle body ?

Currently completing a complete car overhaul and tidy up.

EGR delete, and wasn’t sure what the function of this part was ?

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Mechanicals / Re: Sudden blue smoke from M116.985 engine in 1977 350SE

« Last post by TJ 450 on Today at 03:16 AM »

It doesn’t sound good but I would be pretty sure it has to do with all the short runs/ cold starts. It’s about the worst thing for the engines.

I would change the oil/ filter and take it for a nice long run (a few hundred KM) if you haven’t already as the rings may be stuck.

Another possibility for sudden oil smoke could be a loose valve guide, but again I wouldn’t jump to conclusions too soon.

Tim

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Mechanicals / Re: sluggish 450SE

« Last post by revilla on Yesterday at 10:47 PM »

So many possibilities indeed.
But from your description timing and/or fuel mixture come to mind. Both are relatively easy to adjust for a broad test of the situation. Fine tuning will come later.  Another quick and easy thing to check are the spark plugs and their cables.  Or a clogged fuel filter.  But before we continue “guessing”, Dave’s questions are key. Also do you have tools like a stroboscopic lamp to adjust ignt timing? If not, Autozone stores or other can certainly lend you one.
Let us know.

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Mechanicals / Re: sluggish 450SE

« Last post by raueda1 on Yesterday at 08:09 PM »

This could be sooooooo many things.  A "vintage" MB mechanic who throws up his hands is no mechanic IMO.  You need somebody who can rigorously evaluate and correct the fuel injection and timing.  Maybe more, but that's a start.  Does the car have D-jetronic (probably) or K-jetroinc?  And are you looking for a mechanic or doing it yourself?

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Mechanicals / sluggish 450SE

« Last post by larrud on Yesterday at 05:54 PM »

Hi - this is my first post here, so please forgive me if I don't know all the rules yet. I've got a 1973 450SE that has undergone a full mechanical restoration as well as a complete interior refurbishment. It's a one owner car out of California it's whole life and has 60k miles. Car is tight as a drum and drives like a train. Here's the problem. It runs like crap. It's slow, drinks gas like a drunk, and has an annoying hiccup when pulling away from a stop. My "expert" vintage MB mechanic says there's nothing further he can do, but I cannot accept that, considering how many W116 owners love the way their cars drive. I'm in SW Florida and there are not a lot of vintage MB specialists down here. I've put a ton of money into this car and I'd like it to drive like it looks and feels. Does anyone  out there have suggestions based on similar experiences? Any vintage mechanics with advice? I would even ship the car someplace if necessary. Hope somebody can help. Thanks.

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Mechanicals / Re: forum website issues?

« Last post by Jed on Yesterday at 05:21 PM »

Yes Thomas, I think the biggest loss is the knowledge base in the old posts.  There was a wealth of information in there...hopefully not lost for ever...