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Euro 280SE 4-Speed manual

Started by TJ 450, 29 October 2011, 08:27 AM

TJ 450

Yep,

Nathan procured the vehicle with the intention of parting it out, but I thought it was a good project. :o

It is an "advanced" project however! The interior is terrible, complete with sever water damage, and there is lots of rust (it doesn't appear to be terminal though). The mechanical side of things appears OK. 8)

I believe the car was sitting for some four years deteriorating!













Next to the 6.9 for good measure! 8)


Tim

1976 450SEL 6.9 1432
1969 300SEL 6.3 1394
2003 ML500

Big_Richard

I drove the manual 280SE back to TJ's house from Nathans and I must say my first manual MB experience was a pleasant one.

Even though the car is totally feral the clutch feel and gear box just "feel right" and only take moments to get used to - having never ever driven a manual MB it was quite interesting to say the least.

The stick was however all over the place, i suspect the linkage bushings are all rotten and it does not spring back to the center. I dont know if thats normal or not  ::)

Big_Richard

What im surprised no one picked up on, is the fact that theres an AC compressor mounted but the car never came with AC from the factory ;)

I wonder where the evap coil is.

TJ 450

Indeed... A later HVAC box has been installed, as far as I can tell. It's simply on/off with a toggle switch.

Yes, I've 70% completed the task of removing that repulsive interior/swimming pool. So far, there's only one major rust issue... around the accelerator pedal mount as usual. All sound deadening has been removed in that front area.

I haven't got to the passenger side yet. I think there will be more surprises.

Tim
1976 450SEL 6.9 1432
1969 300SEL 6.3 1394
2003 ML500

s class

Interesting - no visco fan?

I see it also has W123 exhaust manifolds. 



[color=blue]'76 6.9 Euro[/color], [color=red]'78 6.9 AMG[/color], '80 280SE, [color=brown]'74 350SE[/color], [color=black]'82 500SEL euro full hydro, '83 500SEL euro full hydro [/color], '81 500SL

nathan

youve already removed a bunch of interior?! WTF, you only got it home at 9pm! nice effort, no wonder you can never be reached at 10am.
the car would certainly be rare here in australia and if TJ can get it sorted, will be a winner. however, that interior stunk worse than any vehicle ive ever come across. i shuold have given MT a respirator to wear on the 10minute journey from my joint to TJs!!
1979 116 6.9 #6436
2018 213 e63
2011 212 e63
2011 463 g55
2007 211 e500 wagen
1995 124 e320 cabriolet
1983 460 300gd
1981 123 280te

Big_Richard

indeed, that interior was disgusting. It was my idea to put the plastic bags on the drivers seat because it was full of water and didn't fancy getting wet shorts  ::)

All 4 windows were left open for the drive anyway so it was tolerable.

TJ 450

The only interior parts left now, are the passenger seat, which will need to be removed with an angle grinder, the dash, and the roof trim.

I left the car open to air it out last night, after mopping the floor and shoveling out the rotting rubbish.

Regarding the lack of visco fan... It was in the boot (trunk). The PO was going to install a new water pump and left it off for some reason.

Regarding the manifolds... even though they have been changed out, they still leak, presumably at the flange(s). The whole setup is in good condition though, it would appear. Presumably then, it must have custom front pipes.

Tim
1976 450SEL 6.9 1432
1969 300SEL 6.3 1394
2003 ML500

motec6.9

Best of luck TJ i have only seen 3 manuel w116 all 280s i didnt think it was available with the se  :)
Euro 6.9 255.6hp at the wheels. Watch this space.

TJ 450

Motec, I would imagine that the 280SEs are all imports. This one was from Scotland, and the PO purchased it locally when it was four years old apparently.

I spent the day cleaning out the interior and further checking for rust. I basically vacuumed up the driver's side floorpan just next to the accelerator pedal mount. That's a fairly straightforward repair though.

Rust converter was applied liberally after removal/scraping back. This is a temporary measure until I decide what I'm doing next, and until I complete the 6.9. Then the metalwork will begin.

Don't get me wrong, that right rear quarter rust issue scares me. However with some careful usage of sheet metal, it should be fixable.

















PS; I will be in the market for an "SE" complete interior/parts car if this goes to plan.

Tim
1976 450SEL 6.9 1432
1969 300SEL 6.3 1394
2003 ML500

s class

Gee I think that dash is the worst I've seen


[color=blue]'76 6.9 Euro[/color], [color=red]'78 6.9 AMG[/color], '80 280SE, [color=brown]'74 350SE[/color], [color=black]'82 500SEL euro full hydro, '83 500SEL euro full hydro [/color], '81 500SL

Big_Richard

None of that rust looks particularly difficult to repair, theres just A LOT of it  ::)

TJ 450

You're not wrong about the dash, s class. I was very lucky though, the zebrano shifter surround with hazard switch only can be refinished... The veneer is actually OK.

I know what you mean MT, although the area around the tail light(s) will be an issue. The rear window area should be OK though.

Tim
1976 450SEL 6.9 1432
1969 300SEL 6.3 1394
2003 ML500

1980sdga

Interesting car to say the least.  I'd say the fact that it runs and drives makes it worth saving. 

Is that a "York" type AC compressor?

MB_Mike

Great work on the tear-down of the interior. When you remove bits like that, do you organize them in a particular way or are you familiar enough to know what goes where?

I ask because I don't organize AND I don't know where anything goes  ;)

Excited to follow the progress on this project.
1987 Home market 560 SEL