1971 280 SE 3.5 sedan manual transmission

[badali]

108.057-10-003694... I just bought a 1971 280 SE 3.5 sedan with manual transmission.  It will most likely be a parts car but I am going to try to get it running.  I think it has a 3.69 axle and the 4 speed is on the floor.  Would anyone be interested in the drive train parts?  It will take me a while to disassemble the car.  I am trying to decide if I want to make a rally car, part it out or sell it whole.
Brad

[al_lieffring]

Where are you located?

I am looking for a 3.69 axle. but I think the 280se 3.5 cars came with a 3.42 axle, too much gear for a 230sl
if you get a chance scrape the grease off and have a look. The stamp should be on the bottom left side of the casting near the seam.

[Louis]

An interesting car. Any story come with it ?  Have you considered saving it? It doesn't look bad from the photos....A 3.5 with a 4 spd. is a nice combination.

[badali]

I am located in Butler, Pa.  I'll try to get the axle ratio.  The book I have said it should have a 3.69 but it may have been referring to the auto trans.

I was at a local car cruise with my 230 SL and one of the people there said he knew a guy that had an old MB sitting behind his house and he was at the car cruise.  He introduced us and showed me the car that evening.  I was skeptical about the manual trans with the V8 until I looked at the Vin #.  The car is a 2 owner car before me.  It was brought to the US by the first owner and the second owner had it since 1983.  It had been sitting about 2 years. 

The car does run but won't stay running unless you dump gas in the intake.  The gas in the tank doesn't smell like varnish and they have started the car in the past 2 years but can't figure why it wouldn't stay running.  I will have to trouble shoot and see if it is getting fuel to the engine.  I tried it yesterday and the engine sounds good for the brief running I could get out of it.  The car could be saved but will need $$$.  The body is very solid and there is minor damage under the driver floor from improper jacking. No serious rust.  If I get it running I may save it.  This could be a fun car to drive.

Currently I am still leaning towards parts car unless I can get the engine to run well without big $$$
Brad

[al_lieffring]

To check why it isnt running, first check the fuel pressure at the cold start injector, 28 psi is reccomended, but they run better at about 32. there is an adjustment screw on the regulator on the back the injector loop. Most likely you will need to remove the distributor and clean the trigger points for the injectors down below the ignition breaker plate.  The carbon plug wires I see in the photo Are'nt helping much either.

Al

[jacovdw]

Brad,

My vote would go to try and salvage this car considering that only 11309 cars were produced from March 1971 to September 1972.

W108's (high-end models) are starting to pick up in value and the 3.5's and 4.5's are quite rare.

As Al has mentioned, the trigger points in the distributor can foul and wear as a result of lack of maintenance. Fortunately it is still available from MB.
Also make sure that all electrical connections pertaining to the D-jetronic setup is clean and makes good contact as corrosion can introduce an unwanted increase in impedance (resistance) which can wreak havoc with the control signals.

[badali]

I am going to try to get it in the garage this weekend and play with the fuel delivery.  It does run if I put gas in the intake. It seems like it is not getting fuel.  After I'm sure it is getting fuel I'll check the trigger points.  I definately has spark.  It actually sounded good for the brief moment it ran.  I can't pull the fuel lines in the driveway.  It will damage the pavement.  I am hoping to get it running well enough to move on its own power then go from there.
Brad

[ja17]

Hello Brad,

I could be interested in the transmission if you part it out.

Take care,

Joe

[badali]

I sold the car to another pagoda owner.  He said he may use the drive train for his restoration conversion.  If he doesn't use it for that he was thinking of restoring the car.

[280SE Guy]

Is that an official muffler hanger at the rear? 

280SE Guy

[badali]

Yes. it is customized...   I threw a few rubber donuts on it after I got it home

[280SE Guy]

Good!

No comment on the upper radiator hose and all of the grunge on the shifter boot.

Good luck with her and the rare 4-speed manual.

Regards,

280SE Guy

[perry113]

That is a very cool car that is worth saving. It's too solid and rare to part out.