Thermostat , Motor Mounts and Water pump

[StevenF]

I need advice on 3 things:

1- Thermostat--I have read the forums and some say 75, 79 & 80 degrees.  I have also been told to install one from a 280se 4.5 thermostat and one from a 1982 to 85 300 D and to drill a 6mm hole in the lip.  The short story is that according to Metric Motors, my head showed warpage ( they attribute that to possible overheating in the past ) and living in NY-the summers are very hot and I want to avoid issues.  P. S -my 280sl has AC   Wouldn't I want the 75 Degree one?

2-I need to purchase a new waterpump---I need to short hub--either lasso or graf--which one is best?

3-Motor mounts/ ---do I need to purchase OEM or can I purchase from Autohauz , etc?
I think the part numbers are : 110 220 02 17  (I would need 2 sets for front ) and 1 for the rear) : 113 240 00 18

Regards
Steven

[Benz Dr.]

I tend to use 79C in 280SL's which is the coolest one I can get easily. A 6 mm hole is kind of big and I think you would probably only want about half that at 3 mm or about 1/8 inch. You really only need enough to bleed off some coolant so that you have a constant flow that will avoid any problems with trapped air. I would also use water wetter - that stuff really works. One bottle should be enough.

[StevenF]

Dan,

Thank you --forgive me but what is water wetter?
Also--please give me your opinion on Questions 2& 3
Regards
Steven

[Benz Dr.]

Oh, sure.....sorry I missed that.

Water wetter is a liquid that helps to remove microscopic air bubbles in coolant and it also makes it more effective at heat transfer. You should be able to get it at any NAPA store or they can get it for you. It saved my engine two years ago on my trip down to Virginia when I left my rad cap at home. I drove several hours without a cap to pressurize the coolant and only lost a couple of liters. Temp gauge never tipped me off that there was any problem because it never ran hot.

Graff or Laso pumps are both OK.

Good motor mounts are going to cost more than cheap ones. Although it's not a really difficult job, you will do it again and get good at it buying cheap ones.