Calling all Early 250SL Owners - Tools kit subject

[Pawel66]

Mark, thank you - this is valuable input as it makes us more educated on the history of our cars.

And no, certainly no claim on what was the content of the tool bag - just showing where I recently spotted those pliers when I was looking for headlight screws.

I think that there is nothing wrong, however, in having those pliers in the tool bag as they are sort of funny device (especially those with balls) and may come handy if need be. 

[Jonny B]

I based my comment on information similar to what Mark. The fuse pliers are not shown in any of the manuals. Or the parts list for the tool kit (although those are not the most reliable).

The fuse pullers also do not show up at all on the earlier cars (pontoons, gullwing)

The one use I have found, is my annual ritual for rotating the fuses to ensure a good contact point.

[neelyrc]

For what it is worth:  My original tool kit was stolen from my car during shipment from England in 1970.  I ordered a complete new kit from the local dealer in Birmingham in late 1970. The replacement kit included the plastic fuse puller pliers. All appears correct in the kit except that the Heyco slip joint pliers do not have the embossed star. 

[SilverSpear]

Ok guys, there is some conflicting info:

Authentic Classics lists wrenches as follows: 8x10, 11x13, 14x17 & 17x19 mm
The Technical page on the website is as follows: 8x10, 11x14, 14x17, 17x19

Authentic Classics seems more logical, since having 2 ends in 14 is pretty much useless...

Which is correct?

[thelews]

11x13

[thelews]

pics of original

[thelews]

one more, rules only allow 4

[SilverSpear]

pics of original

John, I cannot thank you enough... finally!

Is that a wooden screwdriver you got there?

That proves that some info in the tech manual needs to be updated:
1- The spark plug unit for the early 250SL comes without spring (just like the 230SL). So probably whatever applies for the 230SL does also for the 250SL.
2- One of the wrenches is 11x13 and not 11x14.

Thanks again.

[mclewis]

John, your pictures do not show the slip-joint pliers.  Did your kit not come with the slip-joint pliers?

[thelews]

Yes, that is a wooden screwdriver handle.

I can't say if it came with a slip joint pliers or not, only that I don't have one.  The previous owner was fastidious for 37 years about keeping the car as factory correct (unless he specifically changed some things like polishing the valve cover and refinishing the dash wood) as possible, so unless he lost it, I'd say it wasn't included.  This is an EARLY 250 SL, and changes were made through the entire 250 SL run.

[SilverSpear]

I thought there is a 1cm Chrome tip to the screwdriver, is there multiple versions of it?

Or the tip is missing from yours?

[thelews]

that would probably be an older style like what I have with my 190 SL tool kit

[SilverSpear]

Yeah makes more sense now.
Wooden screwdriver with metal tip (190SL), then wooden screwdriver without metal tip (230/E250SL) then plastic screwdriver...

[zak]

Danny, are you sure your 250 SL is an early model?
My 250 SL is a late model  with vin ....3019 and built in June 1967.
Respectfully,
jz

[mbzse]

My 250 SL is a late model  with vin ....3019.../...

Your 250 SL came off the Daimler-Benz production line in Sindelfingen on the 17th of July, 1967.
That was a Monday

[Shvegel]

The spark plug wrench listed as a replacement (000 581 1067 ) is the later wrench with the spring in the photo above showing the incorrect tools.  It is too long to fit into the tool roll.

[Jonny B]

The break point for early to late is by the VIN number not the production date. The early cars are up to VIN ending in 2979. Your car would be considered early.
The break at "mid-year", cars with VIN 2980 and up, was to meet the new US Dept of Trans safety updates. See the listings in Pagoda Notes for a more detailed explanation of what changed.

Also, I would recommend you blank out the key codes on the data card copy you have posted. Items 16, 17 and 18.

[JamesL]

Hans
I know mine was Oct 69 but have no idea of the detail beyond that. Where do you find the actual build date?

[mbzse]

../... Where do you find the actual build date

The chart in our Tech Manual is a good start
https://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/USModelYear

Engelen book is a further enhancement.  As seen on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Mercedes-Benz-190-SL-280/dp/3613031175/ref=sr_1_50?ie=UTF8&qid=1510251184&sr=8-50&keywords=gunter+engelen
A note on this Book: It is considered to give very accurate information.  Unfortunately, much other W113 Pagoda literature is riddled with inaccuracies.

[SilverSpear]

The break point for early to late is by the VIN number not the production date. The early cars are up to VIN ending in 2979. Your car would be considered early.
The break at "mid-year", cars with VIN 2980 and up, was to meet the new US Dept of Trans safety updates. See the listings in Pagoda Notes for a more detailed explanation of what changed.

Also, I would recommend you blank out the key codes on the data card copy you have posted. Items 16, 17 and 18.

Done 

On another note, I was able to gather most of the tool kit, except for the fuses box, a 21mm (metric) spark plug wrench and the 11/13 Heyco Mercedes (those should be the easiest minus the fuses box).

[SilverSpear]

Even with the datasheet taken from Mercedes, there are still inaccuracies. For example, how shall I know if my car came originally with the front side European blinkers or not? Color of the steering wheel? Which seatbelt type it had? etc...

[thelews]

Early (US) 250s are easily identified by the cosmetics.  Early have chrome inside rearview mirror, chrome on A pillars and windshield header, chrome ring and horn ring on steering wheel, chrome wipers, chrome gooseneck rearview mirror on the driver's door, hard integrated arm rest, door handle, map pockets on the inside doors (all Euro have this), no side markers on fenders, no front bumper guards.  There is a bunch more, but this is easily identifiable.

[SilverSpear]

Early (US) 250s are easily identified by the cosmetics.  Early have chrome inside rearview mirror, chrome on A pillars and windshield header, chrome ring and horn ring on steering wheel, chrome wipers, chrome gooseneck rearview mirror on the driver's door, hard integrated arm rest, door handle, map pockets on the inside doors (all Euro have this), no side markers on fenders, no front bumper guards.  There is a bunch more, but this is easily identifiable.

This is what I am talking about:

[Garry]

The round side marker/indicators as fitted to your car were fitted for the Italian market.

[66andBlue]

Even with the datasheet taken from Mercedes, there are still inaccuracies. For example, how shall I know if my car came originally with the front side European blinkers or not? Color of the steering wheel? Which seatbelt type it had? etc...

Inaccuracies? I sure would like to read some proof for that harsh statement.
Fore example, if your data card doesn't show a code for seat belts then the car came without seat belts from the factory, if it shows code 551 then it came with an ivory-colored steering wheel otherwise the standard black, it is as simple as that.

It is all described here: https://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/OptionCodes