Author Topic: My 79 Canadian 450 SEL (Read 5155 times)

Zaxxon · « **Reply #15 on:** 06 July 2016, 05:58 PM »

Quote from: karmann_20v on 06 July 2016, 05:51 PM

I'm not afraid of owning a 126, problem is that I may lose focus/interest in the 116 and I don't want that to happen. It is still a long way away from being completed, but I am happy with the way things are going now.

I hear you - happens to me from time to time. I am finally about to build a nice shop at my house with room for a few projects side by side, so that will help being able to actually have all the car-ADD in a way that doesn't hurt them

rumb · « **Reply #16 on:** 07 July 2016, 06:17 AM »

My daily winter driver is a W126 300SE. It is a great car to drive. My summer car is a SL500.

karmann_20v · « **Reply #17 on:** 25 July 2016, 04:43 PM »

So with the sunroof rebuild going full speed ahead (here: http://forum.w116.org/interiors-and-exteriors/sunroof-is-stuck-in-the-almost-closed-position-help!-need-to-remove-the-liner/ ), I changed the spark plugs, wires, cap and rotor. I used this opportunity to do a compression test and the results are (cylinder 1 to 8 in psi): 140, 140, 145, 145, 145, 145, 145, 145. Not too shabby for a 275,000 mile engine (I assume it is original, but don't know for sure as I have no records for this car). I also found 2 vacuum lines disconnected and reconnecting them alone improved the way the engine runs and I think got rid of the stumbling issue - only moved the car back and forth on the driveway, can't do a test drive as the trunk is full of hardware parts nicely laid from the sunroof/interior trim removal and tools.

So far so good, next on the list I have the ignition timing advance. Even though yesterdayay was a bit cloudy, I could not see the timing light reading on the main pulley... Gonna do it at night during the week.

karmann_20v · « **Reply #18 on:** 21 October 2020, 11:33 PM »

I like how in the post on page 1 (July 4, 2016) I thought I dodged a bullet by not buying a C126, only to buy one in November 2017. And as I stated in that post I thought I would neglect the 116 which is exactly what happened. I should play the lottery I guess.

So here is the history:

-August 2017 the red '79 was sold and due to travel and work schedules I had to park the '77 with half of the interior disassembled
-November 2017 bought the C126 from British Columbia (fellow forum member Daantjie was instrumental in the transaction), I received the car in late December (12/27/2017)
-2018 fix C126 and enjoy it as much as possible, W116 remained parked
-2019 fix C126 and enjoy it as much as possible, W116 remained parked
-2020 weird year! Started the year as fix C126 and enjoy it as much as possible, W116 remained parked, but that changed in August when I brought the 116 home. Put the interior back together (no more parts in the basement), changed the oil/filter, flushed the P/S fluid with Febi and new filter, flushed the nasty dark brake fluid, had to rebuild the front right caliper, found out somebody changed from ATE to Bendix fronts (still ATE rear calipers), new front flex lines/pads/caliper hardware/wear sensors.

Drove the car twice, both times 300+ kms drives and it brought me back home safe and without an issue. What's really remarkable is that the car did not have an easy life. Yes it is a rust free California car, but it's got 275,000 miles (440K kms) and it is far from perfect. I was hoping the seized FR caliper was the source of the grinding noise, but I think the front bearings have had it. I should also rebuild the FL caliper for good measure. I also realized that the thumping noise in the rear right suspension is a missing stabilizer bar link. These issues will be done when it comes out of storage next spring.

I blame this car (and Daantjie)!