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6.9 in Junkyard

Started by Harv, 26 March 2018, 10:29 AM

Harv

Weather is starting to clear up and I'm making my rounds to the local U-Pull-It yards. I've never been to this one today and found the Mercedes section. My eyes laid upon this. Looks like someones project that they loaded up and took to the yard. All the interior was filled with the doors. Engine is nearly all there, including the radiator. I grabbed the dry sump cap. Can someone decode the VIN? I'll gladly go back and try to pull stuff if anyone needs anything, including the radiator if it's worth my while. Is this cluster worth anything? I covered it up with some carpet to keep it from getting more elements on it.
1980 300SD
1983 240D
2000 E55 AMG
2002 G500

daantjie

Wow, such an undignified end for such a magnificent car :'(  ashes to ashes...
Daniel
1977 450 SEL 6.9 - Astralsilber

Harv

Quote from: daantjie on 26 March 2018, 10:33 AM
Wow, such an undignified end for such a magnificent car :'(  ashes to ashes...

It was an odd feeling for me. At first I thought it was an SD from far away, then I saw the engine and figured it was a just a regular 450. But once I saw the dry sump and saw it was a 036 VIN it really hit me. I honestly think it was someones project that got away from them and threw in the towel. It has winter tires on the rear so it must of been daily driven at one point. I took the keys from it as a memento. I'll probably go back for that radiator when its warmer and I have an entire day to spend on it. 
1980 300SD
1983 240D
2000 E55 AMG
2002 G500

daantjie

Quote from: Harv on 26 March 2018, 10:37 AM
Quote from: daantjie on 26 March 2018, 10:33 AM
Wow, such an undignified end for such a magnificent car :'(  ashes to ashes...

It was an odd feeling for me. At first I thought it was an SD from far away, then I saw the engine and figured it was a just a regular 450. But once I saw the dry sump and saw it was a 036 VIN it really hit me. I honestly think it was someones project that got away from them and threw in the towel. It has winter tires on the rear so it must of been daily driven at one point. I took the keys from it as a memento. I'll probably go back for that radiator when its warmer and I have an entire day to spend on it.

I totally get what you are saying.  I picked 2 x 6.9's here a long time ago when we still had out Pick n Pull's open.  Plus I was still a bit green in the 6.9 world and now looking back I would have grabbed a LOT more parts ;D  as always the hydro bits have the most value.  Only if they are in halfway decent shape.  Sometimes they are so cruddy and rusty it just is not worth throwing good money after bad.  The radiator is for sure a good grab, they are impossible to find in good shape and stupid money if you can even still find one from the Classic Centre.  A good rad shop can easily repair and recore one if it has good bones.
Daniel
1977 450 SEL 6.9 - Astralsilber

Harv

I'm seeing the list price of new 6.9 radiators as $3,040 USD. Are they still even available?
1980 300SD
1983 240D
2000 E55 AMG
2002 G500

daantjie

Not sure, doubt it.  But here is one that's been on ebay for a long time:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-450SEL-6-9-RADIATOR-AUTO-450-SEL-1165012601-BEHR/173229996799?hash=item28554ffaff:g:MYUAAOSwd0BV1gvR&vxp=mtr

Trouble is I think it's because it's way heavy and bulky so most folks would a) not want to pay for the shipping, and then b) spring for the recore.  When I did mine a couple of years ago the recore and repair to the bottom tank was $800 CAD :o
Daniel
1977 450 SEL 6.9 - Astralsilber

Harv

Quote from: daantjie on 26 March 2018, 11:54 AM
Not sure, doubt it.  But here is one that's been on ebay for a long time:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-450SEL-6-9-RADIATOR-AUTO-450-SEL-1165012601-BEHR/173229996799?hash=item28554ffaff:g:MYUAAOSwd0BV1gvR&vxp=mtr

Trouble is I think it's because it's way heavy and bulky so most folks would a) not want to pay for the shipping, and then b) spring for the recore.  When I did mine a couple of years ago the recore and repair to the bottom tank was $800 CAD :o

Yeah, that is where I got the part number. I mean, if you are someone who needs a 6.9 radiator, you really have limited options. That is a crazy price for a recore. My SD radiator was leaking and it was $40 to repair. Wasn't a full recore, but it came back looking like new. This is likely the route I'll take when I pull the 6.9 one.

1980 300SD
1983 240D
2000 E55 AMG
2002 G500

Harv

Just heard from Tom @ Classic Center, he said 6.9 radiators are for sure NLA.
1980 300SD
1983 240D
2000 E55 AMG
2002 G500

Squiggle Dog

I remember the day I found two 6.9s in a wrecking yard in Washington. I snatched the bumpers, brass coolant reservoir, and a few other parts for my 300SD. Maybe check this one to see if it has 15" bundt wheels? It looks like it has a skid plate for the radiator. That is probably worth grabbing, and I wonder if it would fit a 300SD... Also check to see if it has an oil pan skid plate or a tow hitch. Heck, it may even have a wire harness for heated seats--and that alone would be worth some money.
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1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Heated Seats, 350,000+

Harv

It for sure has 14 inch Bundts. I snagged at the center caps because for as cheap as they are, I might as well. The interior is jammed full of stuff so I don't know about the wiring harness. The rear is basically stuck in the mud. I see it still has an exhaust but I have no way of getting under the car. They don't allow jacks in the yard. 

Is the cluster worth grabbing since it is unique 6.9 part? I plan on going back Friday morning to start working on getting that radiator.
1980 300SD
1983 240D
2000 E55 AMG
2002 G500

tcj

Hi Harv,

it would be nice if you could get me the rectangular knob below the Cluster (as visible on your 4th pic).

And (see my pic) if they look in good shape and still have nice green coating: the two hydralic lines:
- the short one coming from the regulator and going to the 3way-connector
- the line starting from that 3way-connector (at the right side viewing on my pic) and going straight down to the left wheel arch
(I also need the third long line starting at this 3way-connector, but I think you will not be able to remove it in acceptable time).

And yes- of course I will gladly pay for it.

Thanks!
Thomas
112.021
113.042
116.028
116.036

Harv

Quote from: tcj on 27 March 2018, 02:10 PM
Hi Harv,

it would be nice if you could get me the rectangular knob below the Cluster (as visible on your 4th pic).

And (see my pic) if they look in good shape and still have nice green coating: the two hydralic lines:
- the short one coming from the regulator and going to the 3way-connector
- the line starting from that 3way-connector (at the right side viewing on my pic) and going straight down to the left wheel arch
(I also need the third long line starting at this 3way-connector, but I think you will not be able to remove it in acceptable time).

And yes- of course I will gladly pay for it.

Thanks!
Thomas

Will do on the knob. I assume it just pops off?

And basically all three lines going into/from the 3 way connector?

1980 300SD
1983 240D
2000 E55 AMG
2002 G500

tcj

Hi Harv,

there is a counter nut that fixes the knob, so you will need a 12mm spanner to loosen the nut (and please take the nut with you too).
Lines: yes, all three start at the 3way connector. Removing 2 of them is an easy job, but the third one goes below the radiator and ends below the battery,
so it will be no easy job to remove it. So don't spend time with it.
And I need good looking lines, so if the surface is rusted or heavily weathered just leave them there.

Thanks!
Thomas
112.021
113.042
116.028
116.036

Harv

I'll report back on Friday.
1980 300SD
1983 240D
2000 E55 AMG
2002 G500

tcj

Hi Harv,

fine. Depending on condition and price I would be interested in the HPF-parts.
The front axle valve is visible on your 7th pic (lower left corner), and the main regulator (on my pic).

Thanks,
Thomas
112.021
113.042
116.028
116.036