Mounting Grille Screen

[rjfurlan]

My car did not have a grille screen when I purchased it. I was about to buy and install when I thought I should see if there are srews in the mounting holes. When I checked i could not find the top mounting holes. Should there be holes in the front piece shown in photo?  Did PO bondo over the mounting holes? If not, how do the screens mount? If so, should I just drill new holes?

Thanks
Rich

[Naj ✝︎]

Yes, you need to drill holes.
The screws are also special, with hex heads.

naj

[rjfurlan]

Thanks

[alchemist]

There are at least 6 hex screws (7mm) at the top and Phillips type screws at the bottom (4-6).

[66andBlue]

Alchemist, I am sorry but this is wrong!

Rich, take a look at the photo it should show you what you need to replicate the original.
1. Glue two strips of cotton tape (15 x 450 mm) along the top of the front chassis and 4 rectangles (15 x 30 mm) on the bottom as shown - only seven screw locations are shown in the photo.
Self-sticking white cotton hockey stick tape works quite well and looks authentic:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Solid-Color-Cloth-Athletic-Hockey-Tape-Black-White-Also-Available-/221825079234
2. You need 10 hexhead sheet metal screws 4.2 x 13mm (p/n 007976 004203).
These screws originally had a 6mm head that was changed later to a 7mm head but the thread thickness remained the same.
3. You also need 10 cup washers (p/n 000 990 0348)
Mercedes still sells the screws and cup washers, as does Authentic Classics (http://www.authenticclassics.com/Hex-Head-Sheet-Metal-Screw-DIN-7976-for-Grille-p/auth-005640.htm;
http://www.authenticclassics.com/Spring-Washer-for-Mercedes-230sl-Grille-Screen-p/auth-005641.htm)

The black radiator grill has the slots for the screws already precut. With the chrome star barrel in place arrange the two black radiator grills so that the gap between the barrel and the grill half circle is identical on both sides and then mark where you want the screw holes to be. The convex side of the cup washer faces the screw head!
Show us a pic when you are done!

[rjfurlan]

Alchemist, I am sorry but this is wrong!

Rich, take a look at the photo it should show you what you need to replicate the original.
1. Glue two strips of cotton tape (15 x 450 mm) along the top of the front chassis and 4 rectangles (15 x 30 mm) on the bottom as shown - only seven screw locations are shown in the photo.
Self-sticking white cotton hockey stick tape works quite well and looks authentic:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Solid-Color-Cloth-Athletic-Hockey-Tape-Black-White-Also-Available-/221825079234
2. You need 10 hexhead sheet metal screws 4.2 x 13mm (p/n 007976 004203).
These screws originally had a 6mm head that was changed later to a 7mm head but the thread thickness remained the same.
3. You also need 10 cup washers (p/n 000 990 0348)
Mercedes still sells the screws and cup washers, as does Authentic Classics (http://www.authenticclassics.com/Hex-Head-Sheet-Metal-Screw-DIN-7976-for-Grille-p/auth-005640.htm;
http://www.authenticclassics.com/Spring-Washer-for-Mercedes-230sl-Grille-Screen-p/auth-005641.htm)

The black radiator grill has the slots for the screws already precut. With the chrome star barrel in place arrange the two black radiator grills so that the gap between the barrel and the grill half circle is identical on both sides and then mark where you want the screw holes to be. The convex side of the cup washer faces the screw head!
Show us a pic when you are done!

Wow, thanks for the great description. I have everything ordered and will update when installed.