Hey Folks,
Since I bought my 450SE, the front has always sat a bit higher than the back (maybe 1/2"?). I suspected the back was worn out, and took it to a classic car shop today. He took a quick look at the front and the back, and said that while the back was a bit soft, it didn't seem worn out. Has anyone else seen this before? I was contemplating just swapping new shocks and springs into it to see if the problem went away, but I don't want to if it sitting like that is normal.
Oh, and has anyone ever replaced their three speed auto with a four or five speed automatic?
Thanks,
MattR.
Does it have self levelling?
It Think its supposed to be slightly higher in the back?.
(https://drive-my.com/media/k2/galleries/2219/1979-Mercedes-Benz-450-SEL-6-9-29.jpg)
Quote from: gf on 17 April 2017, 06:50 PM
Does it have self levelling?
My car doesn't have self-leveling. It's a stock 450SE (besides having an M100 motor).
What do you mean " besides having an M100 motor"?
A 6.9 is suppose to be 55.5" high at roof, and the wheel well to ground is Front 26" and Rear 25" - though there is debate about these numbers.
The manual calls for measurements off certain suspension components and requires special tools that no one has.
the height of a plain 450 SEL between 1973 and 1980 varied back and forth between 56.1" and 56.3"
Hey Mattr
If you have a standard 450SE how did you fit the 6.9 motor
did you do it yourself?
some pictures would be great to see.
Cheers Rob
Quote from: rumb on 19 April 2017, 06:54 PM
A 6.9 is suppose to be 55.5" high at roof, and the wheel well to ground is Front 26" and Rear 25" - though there is debate about these numbers.
The manual calls for measurements off certain suspension components and requires special tools that no one has.
the height of a plain 450 SEL between 1973 and 1980 varied back and forth between 56.1" and 56.3"
Do you've the wheel well to ground stats for a 450SE? As previously noted, my car is neither a 6.9 nor a SEL.
Quote from: robertd
What do you mean "besides having an M100 motor" ?
I bought this car about three years back: http://www.frankenbenz.com
Since then I've been gathering up parts, making a list of repairs/fixes needed (and handling those I can, currently), and paying off debt so I can buy a house with a two car garage and room for a 1000+ sq.ft. shop (if it doesn't already have one).
Do you've the wheel well to ground stats for a 450SE? As previously noted, my car is neither a 6.9 nor a SEL.
I would guess about 3/4 of an inch higher than a 6.9 based on roof height.
I've just measured both my 450sel and my blue 6.9
Floor to top of arch of rear wheel well on the 450 is 25inches
on the 6.9 is 24 and 1/2 inches
Thanks Robert. I'll compare that to what my front/rears are sitting at, and see if maybe I need to order some springs/struts.
Examining it, the back sits perfectly at 25", and the front is at 26". The mechanic I've had looking at the car (there's two repairs I hate: suspension and brakes). Thinks that the previous owner probably had heavy duty springs of some sort put in, probably to accommodate the additional weight of the M100 engine.
So, here's a question: Does anyone know what a M117 long block weighs? I believe the M100 LB is around 700-800lbs, if memory serves, but I'll happily accept corrections.
To my knowledge, the 450sel/350sel springs were the strongest springs for a W116, and the W116 springs are unique to the W116. If anything, someone may have installed thicker rubber pads at the tops of the springs.
the new issue of The Star says a M100 weighs nearly 700lbs.