Recent posts

#11

Test Drive / Re: Wierd cars FS on Facebook

Last post by Randys01 - Yesterday at 08:48 PM

The seats have been redone and probably too hard to do the armrest..so forget it!
No front spoiler?
Engine bay set up looks remarkably like an Aus spec..lhd of course....one of the many sub variants churned out over the years.............

#12

Test Drive / Re: I just bought this. 1976 4...

Last post by Randys01 - Yesterday at 08:41 PM

Well welcome!!....what a nice car...that will keep you occupied for awhile!

#13

Mechanicals / Re: Replacement Air Filter Ele...

Last post by andrewk - Yesterday at 07:59 PM

Can't find a replacement air filter element for my 1975 280S.  It the big oval element with one port for crankcase venting.  A few sites have it listed but all say out of stock.  Any recommendations where to buy in the US?

Mercedes Classic Center should be able to get it for you quickly.

#14

Test Drive / Re: I just bought this. 1976 4...

Last post by rumb - Yesterday at 06:09 PM

Welcome to the Asylum.  Nice little Euro car, just needs some love.  I hope you consider replacing the velours seats.  I am currently in process doing so and the velours are quickly disappearing probably forever.  I have had to resort to purchasing brasil color and am soon to be dyeing it anthracite.

#15

Mechanicals / Replacement Air Filter Element

Last post by Agthomas2 - Yesterday at 04:49 PM

Can't find a replacement air filter element for my 1975 280S.  It the big oval element with one port for crankcase venting.  A few sites have it listed but all say out of stock.  Any recommendations where to buy in the US?

#16

Test Drive / I just bought this. 1976 450SE

Last post by Labninja - Yesterday at 04:43 PM

I recently found this on FB. Stored inside 15 years, driven occasionally. The only rust I can find in in the spare tire well. It's scaley but not through the metal.


https://www.amazon.com/photos/shared/pSWbcrfEQ02xILc38DIIiQ.9xU-Dus8AP5vjvRAlfCMe_

#17

Test Drive / Re: Wierd cars FS on Facebook

Last post by rumb - Yesterday at 09:35 AM

The vin and other labels on the door jamb indicate a NA car.

Those poor front seats....

#18

Mechanicals / Re: Just secured a 450 SEL 6.9...

Last post by andrewk - Yesterday at 12:54 AM

Fan looks much better.  Why did you choose Cerakote?  Looks like an interesting product.

Giving it a try as the finish is nice, high chemical resistance and very high heat resistance so it should look good for a while. Seemed to be a better option than powder coating in terms of durability and the guy who does it here in Sydney is a good guy. (Sydney Cerakote). He is also doing a lot of work for Porsche shops and the finish keeps the Magnesium alloy fans looking great, so I assume the Benz fan will be a similar situation.

A friend gave the left hand ball joint end link a mighty whack and it came out last night.

#19

Test Drive / Re: Wierd cars FS on Facebook

Last post by raueda1 - 28 November 2023, 09:27 PM

also has the US climate control servo.  Weren't the Euro all manual climate control?

Maybe it was an option?  But I doubt that the anti-smog stuff was.  And then there would have to be a headlight wiper delete.  Seems very fake.  And the car is riding absurdly high as well.  This stuff is so strange.

#20

Test Drive / Re: My 6.9's

Last post by andrewk - 28 November 2023, 08:54 PM

Finally ordered 12 meters of brasil velours.  Question for chemists out there. Dye instructions say not to use aluminum vessels. Is that because it will stain the aluminum or is there some potential negative chemical reaction that will disrupt the dye process?

Attached photo of radiator support area with labels placed.

Dyes are often activated by acidic or basic conditions (or heat).

Aluminium is quite a reactive metal; it passivates quickly by means of oxidation (from air) to form a layer of Al₂O₃ - now, if you have a dye which forms an acidic solution, you start to solvate some Aluminium and neutralise some of your acid dye. You might get patchy spots, or the dye won't be stable. Without knowing which dye you are using it is hard to give a clear and reasoned response.

It certainly isn't my area of expertise (I know more about Azo dyes) but generally you want to do dye process in borosilicate glass or some other kind of vessel which will not react with the dye (HDPE, PP, stainless steel).