Author Topic: Engine patina... (Read 5680 times)

71Beige280SL · « **on:** June 16, 2018, 16:27:41 »

It’s been a while since I’ve posted. This group is solid. Restored my 1971 280SL...except the engine bay. Love the patina...original firewall...

Should I restore?

Runs awesome...

Jordan · « **Reply #1 on:** June 16, 2018, 16:32:26 »

While not all shiny it sure looks really good to my eyes. I would keep it as is and you can tell people it is in original condition.

49er · « **Reply #2 on:** June 16, 2018, 16:33:56 »

Looks perfect to me

John

71Beige280SL · « **Reply #3 on:** June 16, 2018, 16:52:13 »

Thank you. It’s not perfect but, no rust at all. I enjoy driving this car...

cabrioletturbo · « **Reply #4 on:** June 16, 2018, 16:58:59 »

Quote from: 71Beige280SL on June 16, 2018, 16:27:41

It’s been a while since I’ve posted. This group is solid. Restored my 1971 280SL...except the engine bay. Love the patina...original firewall...

Should I restore?

Runs awesome...

Do not touch... ...why spoil the original?

Shvegel · « **Reply #5 on:** June 16, 2018, 21:20:09 »

A full restoration could be a 120 to 160 hour bill. I just spent about 3 hours on just the bracket etc in the photo.

Option 3 would be a sympathetic refurbishment. There are a few things there that are incorrect and a few things that could use some help. Doing that would both preserve the original feel and spiff it up a bit.

Here is a what I would do.

New battery hold down and cables. Mercedes factory battery.

Remove black covers from subframe mounts (below brake master). They are not correct on a 280. Replace washer bottle, cap and lines, all hose clamps (Kits available from Authentic Classics etc.) all cooling hoses and fuel lines.

Paint power steering reservoir cover, coolant overflow tank and air cleaner cover.

Replate all the upper parts. Throttle linkages, wing nut on power steering reservoir, injection lines and the plate where the black emission relays are mounted. These are all yellow zinc or yellow cadmium. Bright zinc plate the clamps for the coolant overflow tank, the clamp that holds the power steering reservoir to the bracket and the oil filler cap.

I think if you did that you would be happier when you open the hood but could still call it “Original”.

Pawel66 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 16, 2018, 21:34:50 »

It is great engine bay!

I would do as Shvegel suggests.

I would just clean it a bit - quarter of the bay after quarter.

i would look at tacho shaft - this cross rod will drill a hole in it, it should go under and there is a clip that you may be missing holding it to bracket (correct me if I am wrong!).

I am not sure if the brake fluid rexervoir is correct or replaced over time, but may not be a big deal. I had one like yours, but I decided to replace it with one with the plugged clutch nipple that Authentic offer.

If I were you I would also look at places that might have been overlooked to be properly assembled back by various mechanics over time - if I have all the brackets holding oil and fuel lines, etc. and just put them back in if they are missing.

mbzse · « **Reply #7 on:** June 16, 2018, 23:10:56 »

Quote from: Pawel66

.../... if the brake fluid rexervoir is correct or replaced over time.../...

The reservoir is replaced, it is the non-original "modern" type (which is mounted at an angle).

A repro of the original ATE two-chamber type is indeed available since a couple of years, via vendors in US and Germany (see attached)

Shvegel · « **Reply #8 on:** June 17, 2018, 11:16:46 »

The brake fluid reservoir is one of those odd grey areas. The one here is the Ate replacement for the original style and doubtless what Mercedes will sell you. The judging standard is original or whatever Mercedes supplies. The style here is likely seen as more "Correct" than a reproduction of the original. That said I was one of the first in line when the reproductions came out.

Pawel66 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 17, 2018, 12:36:40 »

It was indeed a difficult decision... There are various opinions and a call to be made in the end.
I was after - when you look at the bay - to make it look like in the old days. That said I have a modern Varta battery and abandoned the idea of buying the MB replacement with caps you open for charging...

Sleek Lemur · « **Reply #10 on:** June 18, 2018, 14:45:03 »

Looks very similar to mine ! I've decided to leave it until something breaks (I have low pressure in one cylinder, but otherwise all is original and ok). I do sometimes look jealously at those shiny rebuilt engines, but in the end, I live in the countryside and don't want to have to worry about a bit of muck in the road.

mrfatboy · « **Reply #11 on:** June 18, 2018, 16:14:37 »

I just finished detailing my engine bay. I was not going to bother but I needed a new head gasket. Since I had to take everything apart I went for it.

I am glad I took the extra time👍

Benz Dr. · « **Reply #12 on:** June 18, 2018, 17:39:20 »

Looks nice. I don't remember ever seeing that small bracket with relay in front of the brake booster. Not all cars are the same and if that's original it's also interesting.

Kevkeller · « **Reply #13 on:** June 18, 2018, 17:53:49 »

That does look damn nice!

(Except for the hood torque rod

)

mrfatboy · « **Reply #14 on:** June 18, 2018, 19:34:52 »

Quote from: Kevkeller on June 18, 2018, 17:53:49

That does look damn nice!

(Except for the hood torque rod )

Yes, I plan on doing that when the car is repainted it.

@BenzDr
The bracket is original. It holds the relay to the fuel cutoff solenoid on the FIP or the Fuel enrichment solenoid. I always keep forgetting which one

Pawel66 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 18, 2018, 19:35:24 »

Ok if you throw in yours, I will throw in mine

Shoot, I am ready!

49er · « **Reply #16 on:** June 18, 2018, 22:39:17 »

Well, as long as we are talking Patina..I have a little bit on mine after 50 years

John

Pawel66 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 19, 2018, 08:04:32 »

John, your engine bay is absolutely fantastic pattern for me when I seek for "how to improve the look of my engine bay". I have several pictures of your engine bay in a separate directory to look at - thank you for those!

Mike K · « **Reply #18 on:** June 19, 2018, 09:28:08 »

Seeing we're showing engine bays, here's mine on my '71 280SL. I spent quite sometime tidying and cleaning up.

As I live in the countryside, I got tired of leaves etc. getting trapped in the subframe mount wells, I inserted the black plastic covers over the subframe mounts, even though not period correct.

Best
Mike

Pawel66 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 19, 2018, 10:43:42 »

Fantastic!~
The idea to use the covers agianst dirt and rubbish gathering in the shock absorbers wells has also crossed my mind...

Sleek Lemur · « **Reply #20 on:** June 19, 2018, 12:41:03 »

Groan....those engine bays look fantastic and I now have to revise my excuse for not doing mine (which looks very "grey" in comparison). New excuse is as follows:

There are a lot of components to take off and clean / replace. Even then, surely if the engine, transmission and fuel pump are all looking their age. Surely I need to address these, which would mean a massive mechanical rebuild ?

News:

Author Topic: Engine patina... (Read 5680 times)

Sleek Lemur

Sleek Lemur