Oversize 280sl pistons

[johnd]

I have been away for a bit, dealing with, well, life, but wanted to pass along some information which MIGHT help someone. 

A few months ago some of us were looking for late 280sl flat top pistons in second oversize (Mahle 001 76 02).  They were not available at the time.  Mahle has since produced them, and a set just arrived on my doorstep via DHL (ordered Friday, received from Germany on Wednesday!!!).  At $612 a set, including pistons, pins, rings, shipping, etc., they look just like the old ones, except a LITTLE bit bigger (another oversize), and were about half the prices I was quoted (thank you, Metric Motors) when they were out of production. Hard to believe I am HAPPY to pay $100 each for pistons, but I am sure glad to see them.  I got mine through Brian Wilson at Amboss (203.380.2466), no connection, no affiliation, etc., although he was awfully patient with my calls over the last several months.  There is probably a lesson here with hard parts availability.  If you can't find what you need, don't pay a huge price, but work on something else until the part is available again . . .

Hope this helps someone,

John Dillman

[harleydan]

Hi John,

This is the first time I have heard about oversized pistons for the W113 cars.  By oversize, do you mean pistons that create more compression/power by having a special taller height, or create more compression/power by having a larger diameter, or something else?   In addition, what were the specifications, such as being oversize by how much and what performance increase or efficiency increases do you plan to see?

Thanks ,
Danny
1970 280SL Euro silver 4-speed

[graphic66]

Oversize pistons are used when your bore is  damaged and you bore out your cylinders to the next size larger, depending on the depth of damage and piston size availability. You really wont see any performance gain except for the engine will run like it should. Even a large oversize piston rarely will give any significant amount of increased cubic inches and more power. You just use them because of cylinder wall damage and wear, not usually increased performance.

[Franz W]

Hallo,

@johnd

i need 6 pistons for my 230SL, 1964, first oversize, 82,5 mm, 4 rings.

Could you tell me some more details about where you did get your pistons with this very good, cheap price ?
Tel number, email, name of shop and so on.

Sounds a little bit strange, but sometimes parts are cheaper in USA than in Europe, although they are produced in Europe/Germany.

Thanks in advance, best regards F.Waiß

[geezer]

Here is a link to Amboss

http://www.ambosscorp.com/contact

[Franz W]

Hallo,

thank you for the link, had found it already, but was not quite sure, if this is the supplier of the pistons.

Best regards Franz

[Dave Gallon]

There are three different piston designs used in 230SL based on engine number. Assuming your car's engine is original and truly 1964, it would certainly use the first version. This applies to engines up to 127981-X0-009301 and 127981-X2-002357. Please verify your engine fits in this production range! If so, the currently available 82.5mm piston is 127 030 85 17, suggested list $310.00 and my price $227.64. Obviously, $1365.86 for a set of pistons is not what we would call a good price! When trying to locate pistons, it might be helpful to know the complete part number history: 127 030 33 17, 127 030 42 17, 127 030 62 17, and 127 030 84 17 are all replaced by 127 030 85 17. I hope Benz Dr. is able to help with a better price!

[Franz W]

Hallo,

i have the M127 engine with the 4 ring pistons.  You can not mix up 3-ring and 4-ring pistons because of the different "Kompressionshöhe".
The mentioned price is about the same as in Europe/Germany/Austria - that is about 140 Euros. Not so good. Maybe, somebody can offer a better one.

Thanks Franz