Author Topic: Original 1968 280SL Engine As Delivered (Read 16289 times)

Richard Madison · « **on:** July 20, 2012, 09:11:51 »

Here's a photo of a 1968 USA model taken about 6 months after delivery. Delivered on 18 Sep 1968.

I always enjoy seeing photos of "original" engines to let us know when
we have strayed from the way they were.

You can see a tiny decal on the Oil Fill Cap, original hose clips, the battery,
oil dip stick in red, fire pad surface, a clean windshield washer pump and tube, how the
bottom of the hood strap is attached, and more.

What is the round thing with the odd looking top behind the Brake Booster?

Richard M, NYC

mbzse · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2012, 09:39:19 »

Quote from: 280SL71

What is the round thing with the odd looking top behind the Brake Booster?

The round thing is the fluid container for the clutch (manual gearbox fitted). However, the cap itself does look a bit odd. From factory, it is a standard flat black plastic screw-on lid, very similar to the one seen on the brake master cylinder reservoir in the picture.
/Hans in Sweden

.

114015 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2012, 12:26:47 »

Isn't that ...?

Ah yes, that's John "49er's" engine bay.

Always beautiful again.
And it looks almost totally the same today.

Best,
Achim

49er · « **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2012, 13:05:15 »

Yes Achim, That is a photo of my engine that I posted sometime ago on our forum.

It was taken about 6 months after delivery and the clutch reservoir cap had cracked and held together with electrical tape while a replacement was on order. Here is a B/W photo taken the night I brought it home from the dealer.

John

71Beige280SL · « **Reply #4 on:** July 20, 2012, 13:29:16 »

Interesting to note that there are no black caps over the springs/shock absorber bolts . Was that added on later models?

66andBlue · « **Reply #5 on:** July 20, 2012, 16:39:06 »

Just the opposite, the covers were on earlier ones: 230SL and perhaps early 250SL.

280SE Guy · « **Reply #6 on:** July 20, 2012, 17:08:54 »

Aaaahhhh to have a nice clean original pristine brake master cylinder reservoir

Anyone have a time machine in order to order a few hundred of those?

Regards,

280SE Guy

66andBlue · « **Reply #7 on:** July 21, 2012, 17:40:21 »

The reservoir is available:
http://www.autohausaz.com/search/product.aspx?sid=caew4j55lj3rrojwjhvxuyrr&partnumber=0014314202
Is it "pristine" enough?

mdsalemi · « **Reply #8 on:** July 21, 2012, 18:03:15 »

Alfred, any idea if this as listed OEM unit sits straight (as original) or at a slight angle (as replacements)? Mine was replaced with ATE 12 years ago during the restoration, but like many, sits at an angle.

66andBlue · « **Reply #9 on:** July 21, 2012, 18:23:50 »

Sorry, don't know the answer.
Perhaps AutohausAZ would know?

bogeyman · « **Reply #10 on:** July 21, 2012, 18:27:59 »

If anyone knows where to find one that sits straight as the original, I'm a customer.

280SE Guy · « **Reply #11 on:** July 21, 2012, 19:46:35 »

I wrote an eMail to Tom Hanson at the Classic Center back in April after I saw a posting of him stating that a washer reservoir had been reproduced for a '65 to '71 Mercedes model and he stated that he sold about 75% of his stock in 15 minutes. Here is a transcript of our correspondence:

Tom,

There is a pent up demand for parts for the W108 and W113 models that are currently no longer available. Are the "parts gods" in Germany paying attention to the quick sale you recently had on the washer bottles? If not you need to make them aware of your success.

I would ask you to get a hold of the "parts gods" and ask them to reproduce the original style ATE brake fluid reservoir for the above later series models mentioned as I believe the same part is used on all of them. Yes I know that there is a replacement reservoir available from Mercedes but it is not the same as the original. It is from a later series of models and sits at an angle above the master cylinder and is constructed of "boxy" lines unlike the original which had very pleasing curves. I have included pictures of the differences of the two.

New (fugly) reservoir:

Original ATE reservoir although yellowed over the years, I'm sure that with the advances in plastics since the originals were made a more color stabile material is out there:

That's a stark contrast between a new washer reservoir and the yellowed ATE reservoir!

If the original style was reproduced I am sure you would notice the pent up demand from most owners of these classic cars.

Thanks for your consideration,

Tom's response:

That's another thing on my "hit list". It has been for a very long time. I doubt the old straight reservoir will ever be built again, but I never give up either. Thanks for sending the pictures!

Kind regards, / Mit freundlichen Grüßen.

My comments to the group are as follows:

I know many of us here would be willing to spend some bucks for an original if not a reproduction.

Perhaps this could be the next "firewall pad style" project for the group. I'm in for anything I can offer for the reproduction of the brake reservoir.

Regards,

280SE Guy

Garry · « **Reply #12 on:** July 21, 2012, 23:21:00 »

That is one of those items that can probably be easily made by a plastics injection company but rather than some members of the Group doing it on a not for profit basis and getting into an uncomfortable opposition position with commercial suppliers like we did with the firewall pad, someone like Bob from Benzrestorer would care take up the challenge??

I for one would buy one.

Garry

BABAK · « **Reply #13 on:** July 25, 2012, 07:05:38 »

I was talking to some body the other day that said they are in the process of making the reservoirs.
I will let you all know if or when I get my hands on some

280SE Guy · « **Reply #14 on:** July 25, 2012, 10:17:31 »

Quote from: BABAK on July 25, 2012, 07:05:38

I was talking to some body the other day that said they are in the process of making the reservoirs.
I will let you all know if or when I get my hands on some

Excellent !

wwheeler · « **Reply #15 on:** July 27, 2012, 03:35:58 »

I am just about to put the new reservoir on. That would be great to have the old original. I'll stand in line for one.

280SE Guy · « **Reply #16 on:** July 27, 2012, 14:44:57 »

I would be up for 2 or 3 new old style reservoirs depending on the price.

Regards,

280SE Guy

hauser · « **Reply #17 on:** July 28, 2012, 00:05:07 »

I was watching Wheeler Dealers with Mike Brewer and Ed China the other night. The car they were working on was a 1972 Alfa that seemed to have the very same reservoir. I'm sure there are other cars out there that would benefit from this if a repro were available.

280SE Guy · « **Reply #18 on:** July 28, 2012, 12:24:55 »

Quote from: hauser on July 28, 2012, 00:05:07

I was watching Wheeler Dealers with Mike Brewer and Ed China the other night. The car they were working on was a 1972 Alfa that seemed to have the very same reservoir. I'm sure there are other cars out there that would benefit from this if a repro were available.

Good eye !

A quick search brought up this image:

Looks like the Alfa people have the same issues as us with the ATE reservoir:

http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/alfa-romeo-parts-sale-wanted/169561-lids-ate-brake-fluid-reservoirs.html

http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/alfa-romeo-parts-sale-wanted/188766-pre-83-brake-mc-reservoir.html

I'm not up on the Alfa models, maybe someone here is?

Regards,

280SE Guy

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Author Topic: Original 1968 280SL Engine As Delivered (Read 16289 times)

hauser