Engine Rebuild

[Garry]

Well, my mechanic did a second compression test on the 230SL both wet and dry and unfortunately the figures are not looking good at all.  110 on No. 1 and 120/125 on the remaining both wet and dry.  Looks like a complete rebuild.  The next thing is to get the bore measurements to see if it is new pistons as well.  Sort of expected but still Ouch :'(

Garry

[franjo_66]

Sorry to hear that Garry.

Would you use a local outfit for the rebuild ?

Regards
Franjo

[Garry]

Frango,

I am using a guy called Reinhard Klavers in Melbourne who looked after the Lindsay Fox collection. See
http://www.foxcollection.org.au/  
before going out on his own and now only does Classic Mercedes and was recommended by John Green of MB Spared Canberra.
  
With all the other things I am wanting done I may not have it back until after Xmas but ready for the 50th Anniversary Bash in Canberra in March.

Garry

[Cees Klumper]

This should provide some reference on cost of the rebuild (thanks to Alfred for posting the link in another thread today):

http://mercedesengines.net/products.asp?cat=15

Full long block rebuild at Metric Motors $7,850

[pj]

Hi Gary,
sad that it will hit your wallet but you know that you'll feel great about your engine after it's rebuilt. I remember looking at that web page from mercedesengines.net last fall when Dan (=Benz Dr.) started working on my engine. Quite an exciting process. Dan did a superb job. Here's what it looked like at one point.

[Garry]

Thanks for the info, I will point it out to my engine guy if it stat=rts to get too expensive, Its a pit I am not in the Us as there are the three who I would be happy to do it, The good Benz Dr, JA and Tom Colitt.

As I am hoping for this one to be the final keeper, then it is all relative and will be good for the next 20-30 years if I can live that long and then my wife Kate can drive it.  No thats not right its her car, or so I keep saying and so must be perfect for her.  More work therefor needed

Garry

[franjo_66]

Hey Garry

Good to hear that you have located a very capable guy down in Victoria. The only people I know who have similar experience/capability are Autohaus Swatosch here in Sydney. They do complete frame-off and mechanical restorations of W113s. Been around for 50 odd years.

Hope you get your car sorted in time for the 50yr celebration event in Canberra !!

Best Regards
Franjo

[ja17]

Hello Garry,

Depending on the mileage and wear,  A top end rebuild (cylinder head rebuild) can breathe new life into the engine for many years. Measuring cylinder wear when the head is off, can determine the coarse you take.

Good luck,
Ja17