Recent posts

#91

Mechanicals / Re: 450SE leaking coolant

Last post by daantjie - 22 August 2024, 06:46 PM

There is a coolant bypass hose which should connect to the bottom of the thermostat housing if I recall.  This to have more rapid heat up so initially the coolant circulates in the head and block only before it gets full circulation into the radiator.
You might have a leak in that hose.
Or indeed it might be the waterpump leaking from the weep hole in the bottom of the housing.
Best to run the engine up to full hot then let it idle and see if you can see the leak.  Revving it up might be needed to increase the flow and pressure for the leak source to reveal itself.

#92

Mechanicals / 450SE leaking coolant

Last post by Tobh - 22 August 2024, 12:19 PM

I bought a 1975 450SE pretty recently, with only 74 000 km on the clock. The car is in beautiful condition, but I've noticed that it leaks some drops of coolant when parked. The leak appears to come from somewhere at the bottom front of the engine and it runs down on the front of the oil pan, so I suspect that it's the water pump, but I'm not entirely sure. I took it to the workshop a little over a week ago and they ran a pressure test on the cooling system, but they didn't find anything, but I guess it's because the leak is not severe enough, so it takes a bit of time for the fluid to appear.

I'm not that familiar with the Mercedes v8s yet, so are there other things besides the water pump that could be the issue when there's a coolant leak coming from this area, like a brittle hose or something that I haven't noticed yet?

#93

Test Drive / Re: My 6.9's

Last post by Neil4speed - 22 August 2024, 09:28 AM

Gotcha, thanks for sharing. Congrats on the milestone!a

#94

Test Drive / Re: My 6.9's

Last post by rumb - 21 August 2024, 12:48 PM

If you missed it:

https://forum.w116.org/mechanicals/hydro-line-mystery/


Short answer is because MB did so originally.

#95

Test Drive / Re: My 6.9's

Last post by Neil4speed - 21 August 2024, 12:08 PM

Amazing progress Mr!! Exciting stuff.

Sorry, amateur's question, why is there wire inside the line?

#96

Mechanicals / Re: V Belts

Last post by rumb - 20 August 2024, 04:34 PM

Belt part numbers are listed here:
https://nemigaparts.com/cat_spares/epc/mercedes/1/m/117986/67h/13/135/?chasis=11603368N

It will depend on your engine serial # which ones to use.  (d-jet vs k-jet)

The autohauz site each belt  will show the number breaks.
https://www.autohausaz.com/catalog?v=1194825&c=4&s=8900&page=1

Looks like Continental belts are OEM.

#97

Mechanicals / V Belts

Last post by NalgeneSF - 20 August 2024, 03:33 PM

Have a 450 SEL and having trouble figuring out V belt part numbers and which ones to get. MB classic center doesn't stock the belts. Which belts can I buy and where should I look to get them. Autohausaz seems to have a bunch of continental belts, but I would like to use oem...

#98

Test Drive / Re: Me and my 350SE

Last post by johnnyw116 - 20 August 2024, 01:45 PM

Hi Mark ,
Nice to see you didn´t lost the W116 ¨virus¨  Looks good with the hubcaps by the way 

Greetings : John         

#99

Test Drive / Re: Me and my 350SE

Last post by Marcus-F1 - 20 August 2024, 08:04 AM

After ten years I think it is time for an update.

I still own the 350, which has been in my possession for 14 years now. But with graduating, moving out of my parents place, buying a home, getting married and having two kids. The 350 wasn't the first thing on my mind.

The cylinder head revision worked like a charm. Recently clocked her on 17L/100 on 98 octane and the engine runs and starts great. The only issue is the cold starts; the air valve is bust, changed it for 2nd hand one, which had a similar issue. So the revs go up and down when the car is in Park or Neutral. After 1km or under load the issue is gone, so it is not on the top of my list.

I have changed the wheels to steel with the iconic hub caps. Installed the roof spoiler for the sunroof. Replaced the front window seal.

Next is the interior. The carpets are pretty far gone, so I am looking for replacements. Will be a fun winter activity.

Recently I installed two child seats, so we can have fun with the entire family. Especially my 3 year old daughter loves the car.

Here some pictures of last week:







Have a great day!

#100

Mechanicals / Re: Becker Mexico Cassette '77...

Last post by Alex - 20 August 2024, 02:39 AM

This is a pretty old thread, but I went through a similar exercise with my 1977 450SLC, which is basically the same set up as on a W116 when it comes to radio and speakers. 

This is what I did.  I'm very happy with it:

1) Preparing the radio: https://www.classicjalopy.com/2023/05/450slc-becker-mexico-cassette-install-part-1-preparing-the-radio/
2) Upgrading the speakers: https://www.classicjalopy.com/2023/05/450slc-becker-mexico-cassette-install-part-2-upgrading-the-speakers/
3) Wiring Up the Becker: https://www.classicjalopy.com/2023/05/450slc-becker-mexico-cassette-install-part-3-wiring-up-the-becker/
4) Final installation: https://www.classicjalopy.com/2023/06/450slc-becker-mexico-cassette-install-part-4-final-installation/

PS: the DIN port on a mexico is Mono only for the traffic connector.  You can tell as it only has two pins.  The DIN port on a Europa II or a Grand Prix is Stereo for the external tape deck. 

That's a nice job you've got there.

Looking back on this thread, I swear I must have been on something to think that the dual system idea by splitting the front and rear speakers, or adding additional ones was good or viable haha.

Currently, I am running a Bluetooth FM transmitter. I found that most transmitters won't fit in the ashtray, or work with that port (my lighter is also jammed).

So instead, I removed the ashtray and tapped the 12v from that connector by using two (6 or 8mm?) bullet connectors and soldering on the adapter to the end.

I drilled a tiny hole in the corner of the glovebox, passed the cable through and voila. (Also reinstalled ashtray, with now not functioning lighter) It's not perfect, but temporarily I have USB, Bluetooth audio, all whilst retaining the original radio function, casette power, the fader, and without ruining the interior aesthetic by being completely hidden from view.

This works for the time being, but it's nothing fancy. Considering this car is my DD it's a huge upgrade for sure.


TLDR:

Bluetooth upgrade through tapping 12v from cig lighter and using FM transmitter- is a good and cheap way of adding modern features whilst being 99% hidden.

————
CURRENT PLAN.

My rear speakers, having lived in the heat of rural NSW are completely kaput. They rumble buzz and pop. (I just send the fader full front for now).

I want to replace all 4 speakers regardless.

My genius shower thought idea is to put a signal switch or relay AFTER, the stock amplifier. The stock amplifier outputs two little cables. I suspect these are a stereo pair L and R. This then goes to the fader, ya di ya da. I could have an additional stereo + amp hidden in the glovebox, and have that + the original two channels join into a junction. Then have the output be 1 output to all 4 speakers.

By simply switching the input you want, you can choose whether you want original audio or the new system.

Cons / tricky bits.

- Requires 4 speakers that are compatible and work nicely with both the original Becker and a new powerful amp. Where do I find, or how does speaker resistance and sensitivity work? No clue.
- Requires a location for a switch to swap between audio sources, and a volume knob for the new amp. (Perhaps use the fader?).

I was thinking of just adding an isolator switch on both stereos when not in use, or only one is being used. Just to conserve power from the battery. I think just a simple toggle switch somewhere inline on the power lead should suffice.