New Member with a lot of questions and catchup -- St Louis - Indianapolis Area

[dennismeyer]

Dennis Meyer <22dennismeyer@gmail.com>
Oct 23, 2024, 1:13 PM (20 hours ago)
to Pagoda

Good afternoon ------ just getting used to the IT system. Thanks in advance for all the collected information that is in these chats.

Dennis Meyer, from Granite City, Illinois - a suburb in Illinois near St Louis Missouri. Soon to be moving to Zionsville, Indiana, a suburb of Indianapolis.
280 SL 1970 - owned since 1976. Always garaged. 78,000 miles. German Silver w Navy interior and top.
Paint is fine - some chips. Interior is also very nice ------ wood is in need of help or replacement. I see several options - replacement or carbon?
I intend to drive the car ----- no need for concourse restoration. I do however want to keep it as original as possible.

My wife will not ride in it ------- doesn't feel that it's a safe ride. Breakdowns have occurred. I'm missing the fall drives with the top off.

I need help on parts sources and on recommendations for repairs as upgrades that are already known by the group. I will continue to read the threads on the specific topics. If anyone is physically close - please let me know.

I have already received input from Rodd ---- thank you!
When I have a choice between - OEM   MB parts and others ? What are the parameters ? Are there some substitute parts that I should stay away from?
Care needs -
Power Steering pump is failing and the steering box is leaking.
Front kingpins are loose on both sides front axle overhaul?
Steering wheel incorrect? not sure why? Happy to send a photo - not sure how to attach to the site.
Valve cover gaskets and lifters are leaking.
Brakes - the hose from the intake manifold is incorrect.
Transmission pan is leaking, and the mount is worn.
Bottom rocker panels are slightly rusted
Rear Axle top mount is worn
Hardtop and soft top seals are dry rotted
Windows need to be adjusted and lubricated
Soft top is shrunk and needs new storage compartment seals. Passenger side latch does not hold.
Charging light is inop
High Beam indicator stays on
Fuel reserve stays on
Shift boot is torn
Interior wood - needs help.
Passenger side lock inop from outside.
Turn signals lever need attention.
The clock and odometer need attention.
A/C needs an upgrade. Temp knob is broken.
Seals - could be upgraded.
Windshield seal is very cracked.

And as I get into it - I'm sure there will be more.

I am recently retired and am a capable hands on person but no automotive experience.
I realize that these cars have a procedure and a set of original specs for proper replacement......

Like most of you - I have always enjoyed the lines of this car and am excited when I see one out on the road ---or even in a photo.
I am anxious ----- not in a hurry but excited about my new found time for "me". Comments and suggestions are welcome.

I could use help on the priority of the work ----- the procedure to do simultaneously as to save time and $$ --- parts recommendations and manufacturer ---and even any available parts that may be in the group for sale. Also any alerts of things to avoid.



This is my first attempt at car repair...... No fear! May be a problem.

[Cees Klumper]

Welcome to the group and you've come to the right place. Since you joined as a full member you have access to everything that has been accumulating here ove the past 20+ years and I strongly encourage you to pick one project at a time, read up on it here on the site (technical manual and the forums) and I am confident you will find practically all the information you need to tackle the job that way. Of course, if more is needed by all means ask.
Also youtube and google are your friends as you educate yourself more in general about automotive repairs and maintenance; most of the knowledge is pretty universal (how brakes work, fuel systems, suspension work, rust repairs all the way through how to paint a car in your garage, which several of us with no background in any of that have mastered).
Best of luck, from the sounds of it your car needs just about everything looked at or repaired, so you have a proper retirement project on your hands but one that should provide a lot of fun and satisfaction along the way.

[JamesL]

Welcome
It looks like you have quite a list there but nothing insurmountable

As luck would have it, someone has just put a thread up on a door not locking from the outside. It’s not one of your bigger projects but small wins and all that
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=38759.msg283199#new

That said, you’d do well to start with your steering/axles (mounts, kingpins etc) and brakes. Staying on the road and stopping are fairly important! Your “not correct” steering wheel is a “nice to fix” but not life changing…

Pictures are easy. Just below this bit I’m writing in is a header “Attachments and other options”. Click that and choose the photo, upload. Yiu can then add another…

You may want to edit/Modify (in the header top right of the post) your post to delete your email. It’s a relatively public forum…

[Garry]

Hi Dennis,

I am not answering your questions but rather as a moderator, pointing out the better way to get answers to all your individual questions in a timely manner.

The Forum is split into different sections so in asking questions, you should try to put them into the correct areas. Don’t worry that occasionally if incorrect selections are made as they will most likely be moved, by a moderator moving them to the appropriate area. We do this so that someone who wants to do a specific search on a topic will search the Forum heading so as not to get confused with a mass of hits that they then may get if they search the whole Forum and will need to sort or read through again.

So if you ask a question about electrical, and also have one on engine as an example, we recommend you put up two questions one in each area as appropriate or we are likely to split up your question into the two areas. To help us keep the Forum tidy and questions or discussions under the different headings we ask that you split the topics up and ask both questions in the appropriate area to save the moderators from having to work too hard. 😜

Welcome to the Group. Enjoy the ride

Garry

[Jonny B]

Dennis, the other thing I would recommend is for you to become very familiar with the search function for the site.

There is a lot of information out there. That said, using search does take some practice to narrow down the answers.

There are issues of Pagoda Notes that delve into this -
They are listed in the Technical Manual, which you have access to as a full member. There is also an index of the Pagoda Notes on the General Discussion forum.

Search related Pagoda Notes:
Volume 1, No.2
Volume 9, No.2
Volume 13, No 1

Happy hunting, and welcome to the group.

[mdsalemi]

Dennis,

WELCOME!

All solid advice here. Let me reiterate, "one thing at a time". Focus on one project; do your research, learn the parts, the sources, the protocols and techniques before moving on to the next.

I got my car in 1999, had it completely restored in 1999-2001, and still learning. It doesn't end. The learning never stops, the restoration is an ongoing process.