What have you done to your Pagoda today?

[Garry]

Giving it a good run is the best thing you can do for it. And you get to enjoy giving the car its tonic medicine

[ctm14]

   I agree with Gary nothing better than taking these cars out regularly for a good run.  I gave mine a good run today up the pacific coast highway and enjoyed many beautiful vistas as I made my way between Del Mar And Carlsbad California.  It was good for car and driver alike.  

Chris

[mdsalemi]

Well, did 3 of those 150 mile legs...ran like a top.  A few bursts near 90 MPH getting around  things, but most cruising at about 70-75.  Sadly hit a little rain last 20 miles last night...time for an undercarriage cleaning.    Weather looks nice for top down today for the last leg.  I have plans on meeting member FinnBrian here in Michigan, this week.

[Neil Thompson]

today, I faced the task I most feared for ages!, removed bonnet (hood), off with the rocker cover and replaced the timing chain. With thanks to the information in the tech manual and forum members it went seamlessly and quicker than expected!, I then adjusted the tappets and replaced the antifreeze and all appears good. I am also going to fit a new cooling fan viscous coupling tomorrow when my fan comes back from sandblasting and spraying. Soon be ready for the Euro Event next month.

Neil

Fan's back and fitted, looks better than the surrounding area!

[Flyair]

I finally managed to get all keys and locks to work properly. An old guy just took everything and fixed not only to turn and lock as it should be, but he also managed to arrange that all locks work with the same key, which was not the case when I bought it from the so called expert renovation seller.

Next step: engine and gearbox check

Stan

[Paul & Dolly]

I have Parrotted my Pagoda....

I have a Parrot MKi9100 in my other cars, so I have now added one to the Pagoda
Hopefully not with a Norwegian Blue (for Monty Python Fans !)

The kit is a Voice activated Bluetooth Hands free Phone system, and also enables the playing of Music using an Ipod / USB stick / or Smart phone.

My car has an original Blaupunkt Mono Frankfurt Radio with two Front speakers without a central speaker, this installation enables these to remain un molested, and used normally.
I use the Phone and USB functions, these play through the original car speakers, and automatically mute the radio when in use.I can thus have all my own music on the USB stick, without the expense and disfiguration of a modern sound system.

See electrical section for more details

Paul

[Jkalplus1]

Replaced modified amber taillights with correct repro all-red lenses, detailed the luggage compartment with my two youngest in preparation for the car show tomorrow.  Hopeful for "best import".  Pictures taken, one is really funny with my youngest lying in the spare tyre well (early 230sl)
other pictures of them re-installing the taillight assemblies (if I could only get my s*** together and find the cable to make my camera talk to the computer).

Will report on the show

[Cees Klumper]

Removed the control box for the electronic ignition that I ran before installing a 123 distributor, touroughly vacumed the interior, soldered some speaker wires that had been crimped before (but since one came off, I thought it would be better to solder all of them) and installed one of those battery disconnect switches that go right on the negative pole of the battery, then connect (or not, that's the functional part) to the negeative cable. Finally no more slowly draining battery due to, I have to assume, my aftermarket ignition disabling/alarm system. Oh and topped up the brake fluid and put fall air into the tires  .

[Benz Dr.]

Ummmmmm........ let's see. Added a liter of oil.
 I keep filling my fuel tank but it keeps going empty, anyone have some suggestions about that problem?

  Oh, and I increased the timming a bit up to about 38 degrees.
 Now that's the ticket ( hopefully not a speeding one ) and it pulls really well now. Not that it didn't before, it's even better now.

  Working on three Pagodas right now:

1) early 230SL in for some mechanical repairs. We did the car about 10 years ago with an engine rebuild and all new body panels. The IP had some problems like a siezed air valve and I had to adjust the BC but I think I have it now. I went through the distributor and fixed a couple of things. Fixed some hard top problems and replaced some seals. Replaced the wood on the dash and fixed a couple of things around the gages while we were in there.
Car is out for new carpet and seat leather. New sill trim and it should look and run great.

2) Engine rebuild and complete restoration on a 1968 280SL. Nice clean rust free car. I have the engine just about done. Plan on removing the interior next week. Might have it done for next spring.

3) longer term project. I rebuilt the engine on this ' 67 230SL a couple of years ago and it's been a conversation topic ever since while sitting in a corner of the shop. We now have the engine installed in this really nice effort. Customer had the car painted and all of the fun stuff done. Brakes, dash and running gear were done before it came to me a couple of weeks ago.
Still have to install the manifolds and exhaust. Nice project because everything is already cleaned or painted and my job is to put it back together. This will be a really nice car once done. Everything, and I mean everything has been restored or replaced with new parts. 

Off topic cars:
190SL is just about done. Long story of how people played with things they don't understand. Came with a '' rebuilt '' engine. After I did it gain it will now run. The rebuilder had the main bearings in upside down which blocked all of the oil galleys.....

600 is now painted and will need to be reassembled. This car will be stunning.

220Sb is finally sorted out. Really bad carb problems held us up but we have them sorted out now.

[49er]

Ummmmmm.....
 I keep filling my fuel tank but it keeps going empty, anyone have some suggestions about that problem?

I seem to be having the same problem? Perhaps it is because I am driving it too much Another sunny day today and we just couldn't resist  a short (40 miles) drive.  What great fun it is!

John

[Neil Thompson]

Benz Dr - I've been getting my 280 ready for the Euro Event and following changing the timing chain recently I checked the ignition timing, found it about 4 degrees too advanced and backed it to 30 degrees. Since then under light load it appears a bit 'burbly' through the exhaust. It still goes like a rocket, tickover is smooth hot and cold and the temperature is normal. All my plugs are new, my copper leads are 0 resistance and all plug caps around 1,000 ohms. Should I advance the timing as per your post or put it down to me listening for trouble thats probably not there?

Keep up the posts, very informative for UK members I'm sure.

Neil

[Tomnistuff]

Back in post#173 of this thread, I discussed the "offset" of my hood badge.  I ground off the screw and alignment post on the back of my hood badge and installed it perfectly on center with 3M badge tape, thinking my hood hole mislocation was an anomoly.  NOT SO!  Take a look at the attached photo of a Motoring Investments $137,000 car, a total restoration, and try to convince me that the hood badge is not about 1/4 inch off center to the driver's side.  Every one I've seen so far is that way.

Your job, should you choose to accept it,(like mission impossible) is to take a look at your hood badge and see if it is really on center.  Don't bother if you haven't used the hood holes and screw to attach it, or if you don't care whether it's on center or not.

I can't believe Mercedes would let that happen, even by a "replacement hood" vendor.

Tom Kizer

[49er]

Hi Tom,
 I chose to accept your mission and I went out and took a look at my hood/badge. It looks pretty well darn near centered.

John

[Garry]

Hi Tom,

Also did the same and satisfied it is original and centre.

[Tomnistuff]

I agree that both of yours look centered.  Mine had to be shifted 1/4 inch toward the passenger side to center it.  I actually installed it using the screw and guide pin on the back but it was so offset that I couldn't tolerate it.  I had to move it.
Maybe because the hood has no obvious gauge points or surfaces, fixturing the hood to drill or punch the holes accurately was a problem, causing variability from one hood to another.  My philosophy from now on is, "If it looks right, it's right."

Thanks for checking your hoods and thanks for the effort of taking and posting the photos.

Tom Kizer

[Garry]

Tom,

They would have had a perfect jig to ensure correct placement and installation of the hood emblem and no errors after all they were doing tens of thousands of them.

The only explanation is that the bonnet/hood of the car has been changed some time in its life and the emblem incorrectly put on.

[thelews]

centered

[JamesL]

I gatecrashed a Porsche event in mine yesterday (Classics at the Castle - including a gathering of 40 RS Carrera's) http://www.ddk-online.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=40237

A very handy 100 mile drive on country roads that gave me far more pleasure than the old Porkers which is a good place to be!

Running well (touch wood) although I think the heat shield on the exhaust is slightly loose - I can hear a tinny rattle under/slightly behind me at about 2500 revs (fine above that and below). Cashflow permitting it's a new soft top and the repro firewall pad in the winter

[Cees Klumper]

Today I embarked on a main service. Started with setting the valve clearances (three inlet valves had just a bit too much play); changing the oil (drained also the oil cooler); replaced the spark plugs and set the ignition timing. Car runs very nice. This weekend perhaps I will take the time to hit all the grease points and replace the brake fluid and coolant. I also have the complete set of cooling system hoses ready to go in. Set the idle CO level. I think I'll do the linkage tour also (have actually never done it yet). And I need to replace my timing chain, dreading that job a bit!

[Neil Thompson]

Cees the timing chain is not as scary as it sounds if you follow the instructions on the forum. A couple of things I would suggest (I did mine a few weeks ago) is check the ignition timing before you change the chain and when you feed the chain around the engine 3 people are useful, one to slowly turn the crank (spark plugs out) one to keep the chain tight in the teeth of the cam sprocket and one to hold the new chain in the air while feeding it towards the engine.

One other thing, I cable tied both sides of the chain (either side of the link to be ground off) to the cam sprocket to keep things tight and do make sure you keep all holes covered, it's so easy to drop those small links and e clips

Neil

[Benz Dr.]

Benz Dr - I've been getting my 280 ready for the Euro Event and following changing the timing chain recently I checked the ignition timing, found it about 4 degrees too advanced and backed it to 30 degrees. Since then under light load it appears a bit 'burbly' through the exhaust. It still goes like a rocket, tickover is smooth hot and cold and the temperature is normal. All my plugs are new, my copper leads are 0 resistance and all plug caps around 1,000 ohms. Should I advance the timing as per your post or put it down to me listening for trouble thats probably not there?

Keep up the posts, very informative for UK members I'm sure.

Neil

Depending on which distributor you have, you should still have about 30 degrees of advance ( or more ) This is not the total advance and you need to add the base setting to that. I'm finding that 36 - 38 degrees total is just about right. These engins like all the timing you can throw at them. Ther more the better until or you hear some pinging and then back it off about 2 or 3 dregrees. You won't be able to hear faint pinging which can still be damaging and is why you need that margine of safety.

[Neil Thompson]

Thanks Benz Dr, I've got rid of the hesitation/misfire by adjusting the FIP rod, my timing is at 30deg at 3000RPM but will advance a few degrees over the weekend and try

Neil

[mdsalemi]

Did a fluid top off; have been noticing some evidence of coolant overflow inside and cleaned it up.
Horror of horrors, discovered some rust bubbles beginning to form on the vertical part of the fender lip.  This is where the spot welds would be had my fenders not been replaced during restoration.  That will wait until next spring for attention.
Cleaned up the engine bay a bit and realize it is a lot of work to keep it pristine.

[Bonnyboy]

Got my car together and took it to its first car show yesterday.  An all mercedes event in beautiful North Vancouver Canada.  I guess I have been too close to the trees to see the forest when it came to the condition of my car because it fit in just fine at the show.  Next year it will be even better.....

In attendance there was the following:

2 USA 230SL
1 Euro 250SL
2 USA 280Sl
1 Euro 280SL

Based on my limited experience yesterday I would say that 10% or less of the Pagoda Owners out there even know about this site much less take advantage of the expertise available.

Thanks again to all those on this site that have helped me along with my car. 

I attached a picture this time.

 

[zoegrlh]

Replaced the complete exhaust system with MB complete system, a 8 hour job w/welding.  When it was time to tighten the header connecting bolts (8mmx50mm), well, I cracked the header at the lip (#4,5,&6 cal.), so I found a used one on the internet.  Hold lot more cheaper then a new one at Classic Center's price $1200.. at the lip.  Anyway job is done.  Underside of SL looks great with new pipes.
Bob