SURVEY: Parts That Are Different From Original

[JPMOSE]

I would like to start a survey of parts that look different than original; perform different than original; require modification to work with orginal configuration; et cetera...

There is a great list on this site of parts no longer available and it is invaluable information.  I think it would be nice to have a thread that informs us what parts will end up being different so there is no surprise. [:0]  Knowing this in advance may allow the opportunity to find used parts instead -- to others it may not make any difference.

Let me start with a few:

1) Brake reservoir - late 250SL and forward.  The replacement looks different than original.

2) Washer Bag - The replacement doesn't have metal grommets

3) Washer lid - The replacement has three holes instead of one.

4) Window Crank - late 250SL through 1970 280SL - The replacement has a different black knob with metal stripe on the side instead of the face.  Also does not fit correctly and I belive the original insert is hard to adapt.

5) Heater levers - 230SL and early 250SL - The replacement are black rubber -- same as late 250SL and forward.

6) Injection Pump Thermostat - 250SL and 280SL - The replacement requires modification to the washer it seats on in order to fit properly.

7) Valve Guides/Seats - 230SL and possibly 250SL - My mechanic told me that I would have to change the exhaust valves on my 250SL engine should I decide to change my valve guides (luckily they are still good).

Hood Strap - The replacement from Mercedes dealer is white -- the original is off white/tan.


I am sure there are several...I would like to know more before I end up additional surprises in my mail order parts!

Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL

[113gray]

OK, I have one for the 230SL: The original steel alternator bracket fractured, a common problem I understand. This left my alternator sort of waving around with a very unstable attachment to the block. A previous owner had attempted a weld repair which had failed also. Time to order a new one, R & R the old. However, MB had apparently also detected the problem & changed the design of the bracket to a sturdier (thicker steel) one supplied with the following results: First, the 2 original threaded mounting studs in the block were now too short to accomodate the thicker bracket & had to replaced with longer ones. Second, it was now just barely possible to reinstall the alternator drive belt as it was rendered too short by the additional bracket thickness. Third, after finally acomplishing the belt installation, the alternator housing now didn't have its previous clearance from its surroundings and had to have a sheet of rubber interposed to protect from vibration. All this in a car w/o AC, which I understand compounds the problem. Ok, mine has endured the new bracket for a couple of years now. Seems fine so far, but, gosh, who knew what a hassle this would be!  -JP-

[Bob G ✝︎]

these are problems we hope the classic center will address back to their head officals in Germany. You cannot falt Mercedes-Benz for trying to use off the shelf parts that will work. At one of the Star Techs I attended many years ago a gentelman asked why the brake booster was so Expensive? Pete Spieth simple reply was that consider the fact that how many automobile manufactors still had parts for a 30 year old car and you can count on the fact that after  30 years of use How much does it really cost?
Sure their are parts we would all like to see in production again and letting the classic center now this will help compound the message to Daimler Chrysler to prehaps re release some of these items again for enthusiast of the W113 SL.

Happy Motoring
Bob Geco

[ted280sl]

The firewall pad has been mentioned may times. The original pattern is different from the replacement.

The access hole plug for the heater core valve. The original sits on top of the hole rim while the replacement sits in the hole.

Ted 1969 280SL

[dreyer635]

About the hood strap - 3 weeks ago I bought one from SLS in Hamburg (www.sls-hh.de) - and the color was offwhite/tan as the orginal.

Kjell
Norway

[SL113fan]

   New horn pad emblems for 280SLs have the larger diameter, generic star design.  The original design was a smaller diameter star within a larger chrome circle.  Is MB saving substantial inventory and production costs with this standardized design?

[JPMOSE]

Brake Pedal Pad is different (with guard on right side; tighter fit)

Voltage Regulator is small in size



Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1987 560SL

[J. Huber]

quote:Originally posted by JPMOSE

Brake Pedal Pad is different (with guard on right side; tighter fit)

Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1987 560SL

Funny you mention that JP. I juust installed a new brake pedal pad yesterday! It was hard as a rock and not cooperating -- so I microwaved a cup of water and dropped it in. Worked great. Now on to the gas pad -- if I can find one....

James
63 230SL

[gugel]

230SL:  The replacement fuel pump (in the rear) looks different from the original with outlets in different places, comes with a non-original adapter bracket, and doesn't fit under the protective can.

(Any suggestions about fitting the can will be welcome).  

Chris

[68_white]

The clock replacement is not the same as the original. The time setting knob is much different, besides the quarz movement. I also noticed that the chrome bezel around the original clocks was changed from the 230s to the 250s/280SLs.  The 230SL clocks had a chrome bezel similar to that around the speedometer and tachometer, very hard with sharp edge.  The 250s/280s bezel was changed to a rounder type, which is very soft and can be bent easily, specially when working around the dash.

HARRY

68_WHITE

[Naj ✝︎]

quote:Originally posted by gugel

230SL:  The replacement fuel pump (in the rear) looks different from the original with outlets in different places, comes with a non-original adapter bracket, and doesn't fit under the protective can.

(Any suggestions about fitting the can will be welcome).  

Chris

naj

68 280SL

[psmith]

Naj,

I like all the battle scars on your fuel pump can!  It looks like it's been doing it's job.

Pete S.

[JPMOSE]

I've been out of the loop for a while....thought someone may have some additional changes.