The 450SEL goes back together

[TJ 450]

I fitted the brake booster, master cylinder and bled the brakes today. Before I knew it, I was out driving along the freeway.

What did I think of it? It was slightly dissapointing actually. The positive is that the top end is very quiet and so is the exhaust and the car is indeed back on the road.

As for the rest, well it runs much like it did before... no surprise really. It runs very smoothly until it warms up, and then the dreaded miss-fire comes back, just like before.

What I have noticed is a hissing sound at the rear of the engine, definitely a vacuum leak, which I will look at immediately.

I reckon there is a problem or adjustment issue with the WUR... I swapped it into the 6.9 a few weeks back and it behaved in the same way.

Tim

[s class]

Have you got yourself a control and system pressure test gadget made up yet?

[TJ 450]

Not yet... it's one of those things that I keep on putting off. I'll get around to it eventually.

I did another hundred km in it tonight after playing around with the mixture adjustment. It's not optimal, but there's no longer a missfire, so I can only be happy now.

What I will definitely do though, is have the 450 and 6.9's WURs rebuilt by Nathan's mechanic, once I get the W126 heads back from the shop. Then I'll have every reason in the world to get a gauge.

The vac leak was a nice and simple fix. It was just a loose fitting.

Tim

[oscar]

Catching up with this thread and man, awsome work TJ.   My back would be killing me after doing all this without the engine on a stand.  Love those pics with the shining heads and redone manifolds on.  Looks amazing and totally agree with sclass about the vid and the timid acceleration I'd probably be the same and mother it for fair while.

[TJ 450]

Cheers Oscar,

I've put my foot down a bit, but the top end feels too tight to rev out just yet. That I'm impressed with.

The car is running a lot better now that the spark plugs are tight.

I'm now focusing on getting the 126 up and running, but I will be investigating the 450's drivability issues alongside. There has always been an abrupt, slightly irregular stumble when the car is idling and warmed up... frequency is every 4-7 seconds or so. It hasn't changed since day one and is just the same as it ever was.

It would be nice to get that sorted out, as long as it doesn't involve piston rings. Hopefully it's just a fouled plug from the grease in the cylinders (probably not).

This engine has always had a mind of its own and that certainly hasn't changed.

I'll do a bit more filming next time I'm out in it.

And yes, my spine does need reconditioning. I'm thinking carbon fibre.

Tim

[carl888]

Joy of Joys!

Well done Tim.