First engine start after 5 years..........

[franjo_66]

and she fires up perfectly first time.......unbelievable.

My 1965 230SL is nearing the end of a total rebuild. So yesterday after replacing all fluids, lines, filters, spark plugs, changing the injection pump oil, cleaning the gas tank (which has been comprehensively checked), etc, etc we approached our first engine start after 5 years of laid-up restoration.

I must admit that it was with great trepidation as I turned the switch.......but I never should have doubted the W113's pedigree. I couldn't have wished for a better outcome.......my admiration for our cars just keeps on growing.

On top of that she has not leaked a single drop of oil from the transmission, diff or engine during the "layoff". The only preventative action that I took over the years was to handturn the engine every week and change the engine oil every 6 months (even though the engine was never started.

One very happy owner

Frank 

[dtuttle123]

Congratulations Frank!   Good Job!  Now we want to see the pictures of the baby!  (I've heard of 20 hours of labor - but 5 years???)

[w113dude]

Nothing like a perfect ending right Frank!? (I love it)
Now, you can take your beauty out to Bondi or Manly beach where it would be enjoyed by many. (If you know what I mean! )


Cheers mate,

Oh shoot I just noticed you are from Rose bay, even better yet!

[franjo_66]

Thanks Doug !

Yes, it has been a time consuming process. Basically I had a car that had the whole floors, subframe and rear boot rusted out. So it was a frame-off restoration to restore the structure and repaint in a different colour (original was burgundy, now it is the MB black of the period). At the same time I undertook a complete overhaul of the interior as the PO had redone the interior in horrible non-original material and styling. The carpet was a cheap one piece job ! Then there was the chasing up of the millions of missing rubbers, chrome pieces, etc.......lots of fun. I've also had the suspension totally redone (ie all bushings and kits for front and rear suspension ietms.)

Here is a link to some pictures during the resto. I will soon add the latest pictures once I've attached the hardtop and had the wheels resprayed and fitted with new whitewalls
 
http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=7681.0

Best Rgds
Frank

[franjo_66]

hi Shaun

You obviously know Sydney quite well !  I take it you have visited our fair shores before ?

Yes there are many great places to drive around Sydney. Another resident and fellow owner (RobMarks) has posted some great shots of his car in some of the most picturesque parts of Sydney.

My 230Sl will be a frequent sight on the roads around Rose Bay, Bondi, Watsons Bay, etc.

Plan is to reassemble the hardtop (already painted) and add the new interior door panels, give her a fine tune and hit the road by Jan 2010..........

Rgds
Frank

[w113dude]

Hi Frank,

I used to live next town, Double bay for a few years during the eighties & yes I do know Sydney quite well.
Have fun with your Pagoda, ( would love to see some images when ready! )

Cheers,

[Garry]

Hi Frank,

Great to see another one on the road here.  Looking forward to the fiinal pictures.

Regards
Garry

[franjo_66]

Hi Garry

And I'm looking forward to catching up with yourself and the other aussie pagoda owners......has been a long time coming !

Rgds
Frank