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Garage => Test Drive => Topic started by: robertd on 26 July 2012, 02:22 AM

Title: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: robertd on 26 July 2012, 02:22 AM
G'Day

I happened to be at the right place at the right time, this 450 was on the way to Sims metal for scrap!
I know it looks like rubbish but this is a late K jet that is perfect to drop the 5lt alloy motor into. ( the motor and trans had already been removed )
I haven't had time to check it out yet but I'm hopeful in finding the seats in resaonable condition under all that sheepskin.

Rob
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39851-1/IMGP0040.jpg)

(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39856-1/IMGP0042.jpg)

(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39868-1/IMGP0044.jpg)

(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39875-1/IMGP0045.jpg)
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: Big_Richard on 26 July 2012, 03:39 AM
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Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: s class on 26 July 2012, 04:28 AM
Great score, and well done for saving it. 
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: nathan on 26 July 2012, 05:39 AM
amazing RD,
that would have earnt someone 50 bucks for the metal.  and to think all those interior bits would have been wasted!
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: TJ 450 on 26 July 2012, 05:46 AM
Saved!

By the way, I've got interior bits for that, including good seats (MB Tex).

Tim
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: robertd on 26 July 2012, 06:33 AM
Good evening,

I got a call from my mechanic to tell me that this car had just had its motor and trans removed to transplant into another customers canary yellow 116. The rest of the car was not required and he had no room to store it at the workshop. He said the truck was coming that afternoon to take it to sims metal. he asked if I wanted to take any small parts off it before it went. I said yes please!

I only just had time to redirect the driver to my place and dump it the back yard, cost me "one bill" cash for the driver as I'm about 35mins drive out of his way. Also a good bottle of local Shiraz for my good mechanic friend.

looking forward to cleaning it out and discovering its secrets. before and after photos to come

Rob




Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: oversize on 26 July 2012, 06:35 AM
Rob you're my hero!!!  Well done for saving what looks like a clean example.  Yes what a huge waste it would've been looking at all those parts.....  It should be an offence to crush a car like this!!  Mongrels for even thinking about it!   >:(
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: giles on 26 July 2012, 07:07 AM
Hi Rob,
The sheep skins are of interest and if I wasn't so far away I'd want the bumpers as well. If you wish to redeme some of your purchase I'd be keen.
Regards,
Giles
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: Tony66_au on 27 July 2012, 08:00 PM
You know Robert...............

Rangies have reasonable sized engine bays.....

*Cough cough* Hint hint.........

And Dellows have the adaptors from memory....
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: Q1973 on 28 July 2012, 12:27 AM
Hi Robert...
Good to see you havent lost your 116 addiction...
Great find by the way... I'm sure youll turn it in to an exciting project.

Regards from the Gold Coast,

Steven F.
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: robertd on 28 July 2012, 12:56 AM
Hello Steve,

Good to hear from you, how is that silver rocket ship going? I hope its as good for you as it was for me.

I"m  just a sucker for a project car, then I seem to lose interest when there all finished and on the road ( I kept the silver 6.9 longer than most ) about 4 years

all the best

Rob
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher( now project 450SE 5.0 )
Post by: robertd on 01 August 2012, 01:41 AM
Hi Guys,
The update on this car, its a go for the 5ltr alloy motor transplant

the clean up begins
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39895-1/IMGP0065.jpg)

(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39890-1/IMGP0066.jpg)

(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39902-1/IMGP0067.jpg)

The 5 Ltr Alloy motor being prepared
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39926-1/IMGP0089.jpg)

The exhaust manifolds off a 450
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39919-1/IMGP0084.jpg)

The manifolds off the 5ltr totally interchangable but directs the exhaust flow in a different direction
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39914-1/IMGP0083.jpg)

The engine pipes from a 450
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39931-1/IMGP0092.jpg)

The other things that will need changing are the alloy engine mount arms that need to be being aquired,

by the way the internal diameter of the exhaust manifolds off the 450 are 36mm approx the diameter off the 500 are 39mm approx
does anyone think this might be a problem?

Rob
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: TJ 450 on 01 August 2012, 05:02 AM
Excellent,

Do the 450 manifold flanges have the same external dimensions as the 500?

If so, I'd be taking them to a machine shop to have some material removed from the inside in order to remove the edges, and then use the proper 500 manifold gaskets.

It would be interesting to know if the front exhaust pipes will fit without modification.

Tim
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: robertd on 01 August 2012, 05:30 AM
Not a bad idea Tim!  I will give it a try.

The 500 engine pipes push neatly into the 450 manifold and vise versa so should not need any modifications

Rob



Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: Big_Richard on 01 August 2012, 06:19 AM
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Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: robertd on 01 August 2012, 07:21 PM
Major Tom,

That is why I like this forum, It keeps motivating people including myself to take on projects like this one.

I hope this will inspire you to get started on you own special project.

Rob

Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: jtwoods4 on 08 August 2012, 05:09 AM
That's gonna be a lot of fun  :D
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: Big_Richard on 09 August 2012, 04:41 AM
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Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: robertd on 09 August 2012, 09:50 PM
Hi Major,

Have been under the weather lately,  been hanging out to get back out in the shed.

On order from MB Spares: Exhaust manifold gaskects, rocker cover gaskects and engine mounts

Rob

the new Die grinder ( big dentist drill )
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/40035-1/IMGP0096.jpg)

Before
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/40040-1/IMGP0094.jpg)

After
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/40047-1/IMGP0098.jpg)

Just arrived 48 hours after phone order
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/40052-1/IMGP0100.jpg)
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: TJ 450 on 10 August 2012, 04:00 AM
Brilliant work, that die grinder looks very useful. 8)

Tim
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: Tony66_au on 11 August 2012, 06:07 AM
Nice work!

Is there enough meat in the manifolds though?
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: robertd on 11 August 2012, 06:42 PM
Tony
Plenty of meat in there, but I'm not taking much off really, about 1.5mm all the way round.

the bigger concern is will the narrower flanges be able to cope holding the gaskets.

Rob
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: Squiggle Dog on 11 August 2012, 08:30 PM
Oh, this is going to be a great thread! It reminds me of when I saved a 1979 W116 300SD from going to the scrap yard. It had already been parted out, was missing the entire front end, the front wiring harness had been cut, there was no exhaust, alternator, belts, air cleaner, etc. and I made it into my daily driver.
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: Big_Richard on 12 August 2012, 05:18 AM
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Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: robertd on 12 August 2012, 04:30 PM
Tom
The grinding Bit is quite aggressive depending on how much pressure is applied, it is also much easier to control than you might think.  It only took me about 40 minutes to do both manifolds. but I was being very cautious as this was the first time I'd used a Die Grinder.
Rob
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: robertd on 14 August 2012, 12:43 AM
Update on the 500SE
After fitting the 450 headers and engine mounts its time to install
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/40319-1/IMGP0102.jpg)

Dropped in like a Bum in a Bucket
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/40331-1/IMGP0105.jpg)

next need to put it up on the Hoist and check the transmission conection and drive shaft.
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: gavin116 on 14 August 2012, 01:29 AM
Hi Rob

The '450SE 5.0' is starting to take shape, so good to see a 'goner' coming back to life again!

Keep us posted.

Gavin
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: Big_Richard on 14 August 2012, 03:27 AM
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Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: TJ 450 on 14 August 2012, 05:35 AM
That looks like it was always there now. 8)

Are there any clearance issues with the cross yoke, as I seem to recall this being an issue that needed to be dealt with?

As for the spare 560 engine, I'm not willing to part with that yet MT. It's far too early in the piece. 8)

Tim
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: Tony66_au on 14 August 2012, 05:50 AM
Nice to see a "Can Do" attitude on a resto!
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: Big_Richard on 14 August 2012, 05:53 AM
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Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: TJ 450 on 14 August 2012, 06:04 AM
Good point you raise there MT. 8)

Yes, I agree, a can-do attitude goes a long way.

Tim
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: robertd on 14 August 2012, 08:01 PM
MT
The original engine mount arms from the 500 were no good as they would have sat the motor too far forward.  I used the 450 "arms" without any modifications and they bolted straight in and placed the motor in exactly the same location as the original 450 motor. However be aware that the original bolts have only 12mm thread into the block which is OK for the iron block 450 so I used new longer bolts that threaded 25mm into the alloy block.
Rob
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: oversize on 14 August 2012, 08:27 PM
Fantastic!!!  Thanks for the pics....  Can't wait to hear her running.... Youtube video is a must!   8)
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: Big_Richard on 15 August 2012, 03:57 AM
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Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: pompy on 15 August 2012, 06:04 AM
This IS very exciting and its going to be one hell of a motorcar! 8)
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: Tony66_au on 20 August 2012, 07:39 AM
NICE! So the original M117 mounts fit fine which makes sense as the 5.0 is also an M117 engine.

I too am curious to see how the trans etc mounts up as this will be the destiny of my 280S with the help of a 450 parts car.
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: robertd on 26 September 2012, 10:50 PM
Back finally, firstly had to fit replacement tansmission to the 350SE to get it off the hoist, all good now have quite nice reliable mini Ronin lookalike.

You were correct Tim, the cross member on the 450 needed to be altered to fit the replacement 500 motor/trans. so here goes.

used a 4'' grinder to cut a section out, now welding in a flat piece to tidy it up. I might get advise on added some extra reinforcing externally. What do you think?

(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/40758-1/IMGP0164.jpg)

Motor back out, I,m getting quicker at this, practice makes perfect

(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/40763-1/IMGP0167.jpg)
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: TJ 450 on 27 September 2012, 05:29 AM
Looking good Rob,

Yes, that cross yoke is quite heavy duty. I reckon you would need a few opinions on that for sure, in due course.

Certainly the arrangement on the W126 is a lot less heavy duty, but it also has more mounting points at the outer ends and does less work.

Tim
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: gf on 09 October 2012, 08:12 AM
Great work rob! wish i had the know-how for this kind of stuff! I take it the 500 engine would be significantly lighter than the iorn 450?
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: robertd on 09 October 2012, 05:20 PM
Hi gf,

A few years back I would not have had the courage to attempt this type of work, now I just work through it slowly and cross each hurdle as it comes.  The knowledge and feedback from other members on this site has been a real confidence booster.

Yes the alloy 5lt motor weighs much less than the original iron block 4.5lt, may need to remove original front springs and replace with springs from a 280se. will see?

cheers

Rob
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: navigator on 02 November 2012, 09:10 AM
Any update on the 5.0?
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: robertd on 05 November 2012, 01:09 AM
Sorry Gents
Have been busy with work and family commitments, hope to pick it up again soon, I'm hanging out to see what this baby will do as well!
cheers
Rob
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: oversize on 05 November 2012, 06:55 PM
Hey I just realized you're in Vic!  I should go for a drive....   ;)
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: robertd on 05 November 2012, 07:06 PM
You are welcome to visit anytime just give me a call.
Cheers
Rob
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: robertd on 10 December 2012, 05:57 PM
Motor back in place with all the vital connections

I used a radiator from a 350SE and had to "customize" the top hose from 2 old W108 hoses.

(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/41833-1/IMGP0411.jpg)
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: Tony66_au on 11 December 2012, 06:36 AM
This should be fun, So did you start her?
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: robertd on 11 December 2012, 06:26 PM
I did Tony,

I had to hot wire the starter as I still need to splice the 4 pin flat plug (116)into a 4 pin round plug (126)on the side of the transmission.
that switch  stops the car from staring when its in gear.

I was surprised when the motor started immediately, and settled into a smooth steady " F##KEN!! LOUD ROAR!"  It had simply slipped my mind that I had not yet attached any exhaust system to the header pipes.!!! dumbguy. dumbguy.

I drove it once around the track with my chainsaw earmuffs on, it drove OK but I felt the gearing was far to low! ripping up the paddock like a dirt bike piloted by a teenager.

I didn't continue as the neighbours cows had taken fright and stampeded to the other side of the block.

To be continued. Rob
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: Tony66_au on 12 December 2012, 03:21 AM
LMAO! and I bet you had a huge grin all the way around the paddock.

Dont feel bad about the cows though, they are far from the sharpest beings on the planet.

My Neighbour is a Dairy Farmer and a good bloke but every time his Cows show up 3 hours early for milking he KNOWS i have been doing boundary rides on the quad bike, for some reason this inspires them to go get milked.

Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: Tony66_au on 12 December 2012, 03:22 AM
Actually the diff will be fairly low as its geared for a 3 speed auto, not a 4.

Should make for good launch times though..........
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: robertd on 04 February 2013, 01:54 AM
"The Beast Lives"  It's Alive

hey guys, whats up, cannot find the upload button on the Gallery?
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: oversize on 04 February 2013, 05:03 PM
It's A  L  I  V  E!!!!   ;) ;D

Hmmm I've never tried the gallery...
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: Tony66_au on 04 February 2013, 05:16 PM
Weird, the gallery upload on the sidebar is gone.

Looks like its out of commission for a bit
Title: Re: Snatched from the jaws of the crusher
Post by: TJ 450 on 05 February 2013, 01:36 AM
Excellent news Rob, shame about the gallery, but nevertheless. I would use PhotoBucket or similar temporarily.

Tim