What have you done to your Pagoda today?

[ctm14]

   Today I had Vredestein Sprint Classic 185HR14's mounted and a full alignment done. The Michelin MXVP'S were old and worn unevenly due to an alignment issue. The tires look great in the original size and with the curb rib. The car tracked smoothly on the drive home and the steering was quite nice.  It always feels great to take another item off the to do list.  

Chris

[RonB]

Just received the speed o back from Plato Speed O meter - new calibration for the 3.29 rear end  and the new 205/70x14 tires.

Took a little while, but they did nice work.javascript:void(0);

[Cees Klumper]

This week it's time for the major tune-up. Today I started with setting the valve clearances (they all required some adjustment! Strange because I did not do it that long ago. The car since then has barely been driven. Hmmm.). I also retorqued the head bolts and replaced the spark plugs with NGK BP 7 ES ( had 6'es). Decided to gap them at .04 inches (approx 1 mm) with the 123 distributor. Also took the resistor out of the ignition circuit. Then added an oval shim to the FI pump cold start 'tower'. Car started well and ran quieter than before. Spark plug gap increase not noticeable. After a test run noticed that my brakes stick again; the result of sitting too much. Will exercise the pistons in the calipers to remedy that, while also replacing the brake fluid (with DOT 4). All brake hoses are relatively new.
Then later this week oil change, coolant change, replacing hoses and belts (those have all been on for 14 years now at least), lubricating the chassis etc, checking the bearings for play (replaced those all in the last two years, just want to make sure they're snug). I still need to swap out my timing chain and may go for installing the hotter cam I got at Niemoller some 10 years ago, finally, at the same time.

[Neil Thompson]

Wow Cees, you've been busy! most impressive. I've just finished fitting my new retractor seat belts prior to the trip to Germany, probably took me longer than all your jobs put together.

Neil

[Cees Klumper]

Thanks Neil. The bad news is that the rear brakes are at the end of their 'useful life'; on the right one, I could not get one of the pistons back into the bore even one mm, it's just stuck. The dust seals are also torn and it seems that the pistons somehow rotated a couple of degrees in the caliper housing, judging from the seals. So ... decided to bite the bullet and ordered 4 new ATE calipers through Van Dijk. I've owned the car for 14 years now and have not replaced them yet, and there's no telling when a PO might have done them (who knows, maybe they are still the original ones). I'd been battling persistent squeeks and sticking conditions for years and so it's piece of mind to know that with the new calipers I will have an all new brake system, except for the lines and the proportioning valve which I understand is NLA.

[stickandrudderman]

Are they exchange?
If not can I have your old ones?
Stick.

[Cees Klumper]

Are they exchange?
If not can I have your old ones?
Stick.

Hi Colin - they're not exchange. You can have the old ones for a small charge plus shipping. Are you also interested in other cores (alternators, starters)? Please send PM.

[KevinC]

What have you done to your Pagoda today...painted it!

[49er]

What have you done to your Pagoda today...painted it!

 A bit extreme, don't you think! Very nice

john

[garymand]

Nice paint booth,  pint booth envy!

[KevinC]

Gary,

Its actually a stretch...if the question is literally 'What have YOU done..."? I would have to opt out. More like what have you HAD done!

Kevin 

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Temperature was somewhat lower today allowing some work to be done in the garage. So I spend a few hours polishing the chrome on my car, removing the hubcaps brought back old memories from the 60s and 70s cars I once had

It's amazing what a little chrome cleaner will do ...

[kampala]

Rolf,

What happened to "Alter Peter?"

Your chrome looks amazing ... do you know if it's original to the car?  If so, the previous owner must have stored your car in optimum environments.  Very glad to read that you are really liking the Pagoda experience.  Your enthusiasm comes through on your post.

Keep enjoying!

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Oz, When I first signed on I used "Alter Peter" it is the name I have on my SmugMug web site I took on that nick name when I visited Germany last. I was in München and climed all the way to the top of the St Peter's Church (also named Alter Peter). One has a spectacular view of the city once you reach the top of Alter Peter.

A few days ago I decided to use my real name Rolf-Dieter on this web site since I meet quite a few members at the last two car show gatherings in order to avoid confusion Besides there are a few Peter's on this site.

Yes I do enjoy this car very much.

Based on the direction the picture below (from the web) of Alter Peter is taken from Rathaus (München City Hall) it is opposite from the St Peter's Church.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alter-peter_vom-rathaus.jpg

[pj]

When Dieter joined and used the handle "Alter Peter" I had a little giggle. I didn't know about the church in Munich, but it was one of the first stories Dieter told me when we met. Turns out Dieter is a few years my senior and that was okay because "Alter" means "old" in German (affectionately, of course,) and I started imagining myself as "Junger Peter."

Still, I'm happy to see Dieter using his real name on the forum. The rest of you need to meet him. He's almost as good a story-teller as Dan :-)

[Jonny B]

Just got started on replacing the screws under the side moldings, the ones that have the rubber strip in them. As you look down the side of the car, you can see the bumps in the rubber where each screw is located. I pulled out the rubber and most of the screw heads came with it! Just rusted to bits. So now I have the task of drilling out the offending screws and replacing them with new stainless screws. Slow and steady. Sort of a task you can do bits at a time if that is all the time that is available. I was surprised to see the screws were in that bad of condition.

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Well my little blue tornado has been idle for over a week so this morning I made a trip here in the city to check on a few things ....

First ... stopped at my favourite auto body shop (they are certified by both BMW and Mercedes) and yes you guessed it I had work done there on both my BMW and Mercedes (my former C350 4MATIV ~ now sold). I have a few blemishes mainly around the hardtop anchoring openings where my car needs a bit touch up paint. Discussed possibilities to get that touched up.

Second ... stopped at the friendly Mufflerman here in town to check if anything is wrong with my muffler hanging low at the rear end (3 3/8" clearance to the ground). Well the friendly Mufflerman put her up on a special lift to check it out (first time I saw my car being driven by someone else ~ I should have snapped a picture it looked darn good .

Third .... stopped Performance Unlimited to pick up Water Wetter for my radiator. On the phone they said yes we have 2 bottles in stock, when I got there the computer still insisted there are 2 in stock when there were none. Oh well I picked up a similar product.

Last Stop ... I stopped at a friends place (he rebuilds engines and is quite knowledgeable ~ not that I let him work on my engine on Siri) to discuss the high temperature I always get on my car. We popped the hood and while I operated the throttle he checked the airflow from the fan in neutral and with the automatic transmission engaged. He feels that my Clutch Fan is properly the culprit for the high water temperature, he hardly felt sufficient air movement, however the main fan moved okay

Speaking of high water temperature by now with about 30 miles of city driving in stop and go traffic my temperature gauge shows around 200 degree F (I assume it is the 200 degree F mark on red). Driving from the third to the last stop I noticed it helped when I shifted into neutral at red lights. Then driving with air rushing thru the radiator the temperature needle moved slightly lower.

I think this is a job for the Benz Dr. Dan mentioned to me last time I saw him perhaps installing a larger fan may also help.

I think I still go to the 50th Celebration of the Pagoda, 600 Class at 2013 Concours of America, St. Johns MI it is not as far as my fathers day round trip when I put 400 miles on the odometer. I may have to stop a few times and let her cool down, no matter I'm in no rush I'm retired LOL ... it"s all my time now



Muffler Man had a good peek under my car and declared "It's all as it should be under your car no muffler issues"

[Bonnyboy]

Big day in my household (but maybe not for anyone else).  After 1 year on the road, this morning was the first time I actually washed my car with a garden hose and a bucket of water and car wash brush.  I have just been wiping it down with a dusting brush and an aerosol cleaner/polish for the past year, but after a few short trips on wet roads it was time.  I also put away the grinding wheels, wire brushes and sanding disks.  I'm hoping that I'm past that phase in this the 1st year of the 2nd life of my car, for the time being anyways. 

Question:  are there any specific products that people are using to coat the rockers.  Satin clearcoat?  I just have paintable rocker guard coating but its a pain to keep clean and a high pressure hose just won't do it - I need a brush and soap and lots of water

[Valvechatter]

Otto,
Where does one send the clock for repair?
Thanks,
Lin

[mbz.280sl]

I sent my clock to:
David Lindquist
12427 E. Penn St.
Whittier, CA 90602
Phone 602 698 4445

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Gave her a nice wash today in preparation of a car show being held in our area ... is anyone else from Ontario Canada or the US border areas going?

http://www.oldautos.ca/CarShow.aspx

[Valvechatter]

Otto
Thanks for the clock repair information!
Lin

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Took mine to the SL Barn (yesterday) Dan (Benz Dr.) and his men gave her a good work over. Changed the oil and filter, replaced filter seals, installed new fan (visco) clutch, new steering damper, checked exhaust system, check brakes, bleed and replace brake fluids, grease all required points, check and top up all fluids, installed new thermostat, remove and reinstalled radiator then charged with new antifreeze and bleed off all air. Busy hands in the SL Barn checked many more points on this 44 year old babe ... some more work to be done the next go around. Water temperature stayed steady at 180 F all the way home for the nearly 100 mile drive, the ambient temperature was favourable, the true test will be when it gets warmer again hopefully summer is not over yet

Thanks Dan for a job well done

PS. Dan and his men are working on a nice engine rebuild of a American Pagoda looks like a new engine all spanking new.

[Bonnyboy]

I have had the elusive european spec heater hose (engine block to heater) on my bench for 2 weeks now and this morning the last day of holidays just before I head to the gym, I decided to change the hose.  Simple - should take less than 5 minutes and I shouldn't get dirty. 

Undid the clamps and pulled the end off the heater and then the end off the engine - antifreeze starts spewing out so I immedietly drop the hose under the car and under the car hoist - nope can't reach it but I'm sure getting wet - antifreeze still spewing so I grab towel and the new hose which I left all the way over on the bench, installed new hose and got the antifreeze stopped and tried to clean my arm a bit but there is a pool oozing out from under the hoist area, I push the car back almost but not far enough because the truck is there so I try to clean up the antifreeze as much as possible with newspapers but realize that I'll need to hose it off but I needed a shower because I was covered in antifreeze.   ...5 minute job my butt - back to the garage with a garden hose and keys to move the truck......   

[Cees Klumper]

Just think of that as your workout! 

Good reminder to drain the system first. I want to replace my timing chain soon, and for that I believe I have to remove the thermostat housing, so ...

I replaced all coolant hoses two weeks ago and that took me at least half a day. There are something like 16 hoses, large and small, in total. That was more than I had expected.