Author Topic: Engine Restoration Advice  (Read 6268 times)

Hans2012

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Engine Restoration Advice
« on: August 02, 2013, 19:18:08 »
I am having a full restoration done on my engine and engine compartment (and undercarriage) and hope to post some detailed photos at the end of the process   My mechanic had an NOS intake manifold from Mercedes- Benz in his parts inventory and has installed it,  as opposed to sending the original out to be cleaned and refinished.  As you will note from the photo there is a blob of green paint plus two red grease pencil marks on it that he has encouraged me to leave alone as they are marks from the inspectors back in the day.  I would be interested in comments from the experts on this forum as to whether to leave it as is or clean it off. 

Thanks
John   
Texas
1971 280 SL - 268 Dark Green - Cognac Leather
Restored

DaveB

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Re: Engine Restoration Advice
« Reply #1 on: August 02, 2013, 21:43:49 »
Leave them on for now and you can ponder the question at length :)
It's looking good in that sneak preview
DaveB
'65 US 230sl 4-speed, DB190

ja17

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Re: Engine Restoration Advice
« Reply #2 on: August 12, 2013, 05:28:21 »
It seems that the paint marks are not an exact science. Locations and colors vary somewhat from car to car. Lots of yellow marks, fair amount of red, that drab green (in your photo) is another. Blue is anothe less common color.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
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pj

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Re: Engine Restoration Advice
« Reply #3 on: August 12, 2013, 06:49:22 »
Hi John,
does the photo show the old intake that you are saving? or the found one that your mechanic installed from his secret stash?
Either way, what makes you think the green and red marks are original?
If we have no evidence that the marks are original, and no hint of similar marks among the considerable experience with originals that is represented by our fellow forum members, I'd take them off.
The marks can always be put on -- this goes for the red and yellow dots, or the chalk digits of the Aufbaunummer, etc -- by a resourceful and knowledge restoration person. I think it shows a commendable attention to detail, even without proof that it's perfect to the original. Or maybe it's just too fine a point to argue about.
Peter J
1965 230SL #09474 named Dagny
2018 B250 4matic named Rigel

Benz Dr.

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Re: Engine Restoration Advice
« Reply #4 on: August 12, 2013, 14:07:02 »
Intake manifolds had paint dots on them. I had a car with blue dots inside of the two circles on top of the casting. Not proof that every car had them but then it's not proof that they didn't.
« Last Edit: August 15, 2013, 01:32:33 by Benz Dr. »
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

49er

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Re: Engine Restoration Advice
« Reply #5 on: August 12, 2013, 15:59:36 »
Have posted these two pictures many times but just easier just to do it again then hunt them down :-\

First one is of my 6 month old '69 280SL with one red dot on the intake plenum, 2nd is of my "departed" 250SL when new (1967) with one very big red dot on the valve cover. Dealer put on the Castrol Stickers

John
1969 280SL 003820
Un Restored, All Original, including the paint
Original Owner, Purchased September 18, 1968
4 speed manual, PS. 77217 miles
7280 miles since awoken from her 20+ yr "nap" in 2010

Hans2012

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Re: Engine Restoration Advice
« Reply #6 on: August 12, 2013, 16:08:31 »
Thanks for the responses.

The picture I attached is of the new intake manifold.  It is a Mercedes-Benz part out of the box - my mechanic has had it for many years and suggested that we use it instead of refurbishing the original manifold.  He is doing a complete engine restoration and is justifiably proud of how it is shaping up thus he is bringing out a few items from his stash.   The marks on the new manifold are original and came that way from MB.   I think I will leave them.  

We are stuck on one part.  We cannot locate a rubber "breather pipe sleeve" part # 008 997 6682.  The are NLA - the replacement form MB i longer and would need to be cut to length, leaving an unfinished end.  Any ideas?

Thanks again for your comments.  

Regards
John
Texas
1971 280 SL - 268 Dark Green - Cognac Leather
Restored

49er

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Re: Engine Restoration Advice
« Reply #7 on: August 12, 2013, 16:21:51 »
Is this the sleeve you are looking for? I bought mine last year for mine from MB but had a different part number 007-997-77-82 - "Cover" for $26.35

John
1969 280SL 003820
Un Restored, All Original, including the paint
Original Owner, Purchased September 18, 1968
4 speed manual, PS. 77217 miles
7280 miles since awoken from her 20+ yr "nap" in 2010

Hans2012

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Re: Engine Restoration Advice
« Reply #8 on: August 12, 2013, 17:42:29 »
I think that is it - thanks for the information. 

Regards John
Texas
1971 280 SL - 268 Dark Green - Cognac Leather
Restored

Benz Dr.

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Re: Engine Restoration Advice
« Reply #9 on: August 15, 2013, 01:40:17 »
Have posted these two pictures many times but just easier just to do it again then hunt them down :-\

First one is of my 6 month old '69 280SL with one red dot on the intake plenum, 2nd is of my "departed" 250SL when new (1967) with one very big red dot on the valve cover. Dealer put on the Castrol Stickers

John


The small red dot in your picture is where I saw the small blue dots on one of my manifolds. I say dots because each casting circle had a dot each.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC