Winter Car Work

[Tom]

Wondering how everyone is getting along with their winter projects.  I lost my car over the winter to Gernold, so I have nothing to work on.  Here is the status of my "remote winter projects" that I am living vicariously through pictures emailed from Maine:

-The new 3:27 rearend is in;
-Mechatronik suspension is in;
-Doors are fixed and close like a bank vault;
-Mercedes retractable seatbelts are in;
-Jump seat has been fitted-now off to the upholstery shop;
-Gauges back from Palo Alto Speedometer (adjusted speedometer to 3:27 rearend)
-Engine area detailing underway;
-Small Rust spot in rear quarter panel fixed, repainted;
-Motor mounts replaced;
-Transmission serviced;
-Front suspension removed, parts replaced, 1 new king pin;

I miss this car!! Can't wait to get it back.  Check out the pictures

Best,

Tom

Download Attachment: mini-resto project.jpg
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1971 280sl Tunis Beige Metallic (restored & enhanced)
1971 280sl Tobacco Brown (low mileage stock)
1970 280sl Deep Red (Project Car)

[Naj ✝︎]

What a beaut!!![:p]

Are those wheels 15 inch?

naj

65 230SL
68 280SL

[mdsalemi]

Great work Gernold!  Congratulations Tom!

That picture is so good, those wheels look SO SHINY I'd swear they are chrome.  Wait a second, you aren't pimping this up now, are you??

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[Tom]

Those rims were stripped to the metal and polished to a matte finish-not as shiny as chrome.

These are 14 inch rims with MXV Michelin tires.

1971 280sl Tunis Beige Metallic (restored & enhanced)
1971 280sl Tobacco Brown (low mileage stock)
1970 280sl Deep Red (Project Car)

[Bob G ✝︎]

Tom;
do you need the metal center caps for your wheels? I also noticed the SL behine yours on the Lift. The controversial round fog lights? what happened to the colker tires? did you get not like them?

Bob Geco

Bob Geco

[Ed Cave]

Tom:

That is a great list; a lot of things, from rear end to seat belts to guages and more to increase your enjoyment of what looks like a very fine automobile.

Ed Cave
Atlanta, GA

1964 356C
1971 280SL
2002 SC430
2004 A4 3.0

[Kenneth Gear]

That's a fine looking car...She looks like she's raring to go!  I'm anxious to hear your opinion of the new suspension.

Am also looking foreward to seeing the freshly detailed engine!  Are you having a welcome home party for her?  We need to get the mid-atlantic owners group together some afternoon as soon as the weather gets a bit better.  



Ken G
1971 280 SL
Silver/red

[ja17]

Looks great Tom!
So you had an empty space in your garage all winter! Did you fill it with something else to play with?

Here is a photo of Tom and Michael (mdsalemi) and myself at "Starfest" last summer!


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Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[hauser]

Tom, the car is looking great!  I see that you've removed your Euro lights.  Were you not happy with them?

I myself have my soft top at Gernold's shop. It's there for
 restoration and a new German canvas with the MB window.

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

[Tom]

Bob, I have the center caps, but the wheels have been off a few times.  Don't get me started again on the Coker Tire debacle...already taken up too much space here!

Joe, no project car in the garage right now-I just go out there and sit by myself with a picture of Tunis Beige-longing for the day she returns (Gernold-you reading this?).  Thanks for sharing the photo and thanks for helping me with the 3:27 rear-end.

Ken, we'll definitely have another Group event this spring-maybe with Michael Egan hosting us.

Hauser, I told Gernold not to touch your top until my car was done-sorry.  (just kidding)  Euro lights are off for a change in scenery-should I put them back?

Ed, thanks for your complement.

Anyone want to update the Group on winter projects?

Best,

Tom

1971 280sl Tunis Beige Metallic (restored & enhanced)
1971 280sl Tobacco Brown (low mileage stock)
1970 280sl Deep Red (Project Car)

[hauser]

Tom, I'm a big fan when it comes to the Euro lights.  I'd be afraid of switching them out so as not to risk scratching the paint.  A very easy thing to do if you're not careful.  BTW do you use some type of tape during the changing process?  Looks like Gernold has done something like that himself around the engine bay.

As for my soft top you may have had your wish.  UPS tried to deliver today and the shop was closed .  They'll attempt to do it again on Monday.

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

[Cees Klumper]

Hello Tom - must be tough without eiter car around. I am a fan of the euro lights too, so I would put those back in. Just to jog your memory, here's a picture I took in 2003 in Ohio of your car with the euro lights (please ignore the car wash attendant in the photo):

Download Attachment: wash.jpg
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As for my winter projects, I need to:

- perform a full service, including changing over to fully synthetic engine oil
- replace the two light bulbs inside the tachometer
- replace the coolant temp sender
- pay some attention to the rear axle oil leak
- adjust the fresh air vent levers
- start looking around for a new interior: the original MB tex is starting to go and I am thinking of replacing it with leather (I know, not original but I prefer leather). At the same time I would like to replace the carpeting with the loop variety.
- maybe putting in a set of progressive-rate springs.

Cees Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[bpossel]

Hi Tom,

Your car does look nice!!!  I can fully understand you missing her!

Here is the status of my fall/winter projects:
Completed so far:
Installed new gas tank
Installed rebuilt fuel injection pump (from Hans)
Installed rebuilt CSV (from Hans)
Installed 6 new fuel injectors
Installed new spark plugs
Replaced rear upper & lower spring rubber pads
Installed new chrome locking gas cap (present from good friend)
Installed winter thermostat (87c)
Rechromed front bumpers and all 4 guards
Installed 4 new brake discs
Installed new brake pads all wheels
Installed brake caliper rebuild kits rear wheels
Installed new front inner & outer wheel bearings
Flushed brake system
Removed door panels, cleaned out doors, adjusted windows & lubed
Replace radiator - still to do
Replaced power steering fluid & filter
Replaced several hoses (gas, cooling,...)

As you can see, have been spending lots of time in the garage...

What have others done?
Regards,
Bob




bpossel
Memphis, TN.
1971 280SL
1997 E320

[bluedipper]

Wow!  Some of you guys must have a lot of time on your hands.  So far this winter I scraped some gum off the door panel and ....um ....well that's it.  I did think about fixing the heater.  It does get a little cool here in California.  Some days it stays way down in the 50s all day long.  Brrrrrrrr.  

Chuck Gale
68 250SL
Frozen heater valve

[Tom]

Bob P,

I am exhausted just reading your list-congrats on an aggressive winter list and congrats on getting so much done.

For those in warmer climates, remember not to catch a cold with the top down at 55 degrees.

1971 280sl Tunis Beige Metallic (restored & enhanced)
1971 280sl Tobacco Brown (low mileage stock)
1970 280sl Deep Red (Project Car)

[Kenneth Gear]

It appears I'm in the minority on this, but I actually prefer the US headlights over the euros.

As for summer projects, I dropped my car off with our freind Carlos at the beginning of December for an oil change and haven't seen it since.  My garage is a lonely place so I stop by his shop once a week to visit.

So far,  new king pins, one new control arm,  suspension bushings, newly re-cored radiator, brake system flush with a cleaned up fluid holder and gasket... then a handful of other minor things sorted out.



Ken G
1971 280 SL
Silver/red