1964 230 SL - i think

[Model A Mark]

hey guys,
my friend picked up this little car, been tore down and setting for 25 years, seams there's a few missing parts, the engine and trannie is in in a basket, fun fun fun.
ive got the block, crankshaft, head and the flywheel and rods at the machine shop, today.
im looking for a good place to buy overhaul parts, need pistons, and a major kit,
i sure could use some advice pertaining to reassembling this engine,
the engine tag says, type M127.II  /   Motor # 127.981-0
thanks guys,,
mark

[ja17]

Welcome Mark,

The 230SL is tricky.  Parts are a little pricey.   There is a early and late 230SL engine, be aware when ordering parts.  Check out the sites vendors list. Also check Metric Motors for a shortblock or longblock rebuild price, to compare this with what you may have involved in doing it yourself. Your big cost will be pistons with ring assemblies.

You'll have to ask a lot of questions to get this basket care together correctly.

[Model A Mark]

thanks ja17,
i heard this was the place to find answers, hah.
ill brouse the vender's list, could you recommend a good book for this engine

[66andBlue]

The book to buy is the "Big Blue Book"  
See: http://www.sl113.org/wiki/Documents/BBB
You need the one for cars starting in 1959. There is one on the German eBay site:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200496320515

[Benz Dr.]

There are three different piston types for this engine. Hopefully you have the early or second version. The late version pistons are now only available in a stepped top which lowers compression a lot. Flat top pistons are the way to go.

 There some things you should always do when you have an engine apart. Replacing the crank gear and spacer would be one of them. The 230SL cylinder head has some very specific parts and is somewhat tricky to get right.