Ugly expansion tank straps

[teahead]

Anyone know of an outfit that carries new ones?

Can't locate replacements anywhere.

[mbzse]

Anyone know of an outfit that carries new ones?.../...

Yes, your Mercedes dealer
Part No N 900288 122101
I suppose many other vendors in the US supply these as well.

You can also re-finish your originals, zink cad

[Pawel66]

What are you after? The straps? I bought new ones from Mercedes dealer. The reservoir - it is a nice DIY job.

[teahead]

Ya, just the straps.

I'll compare new to re-zinc.

Ya, tank I'm just going to repaint.

Thanks for the part number!

[Pawel66]

The part number suggests it is a standard item: N 900288 122101. I did not detect differences vs. what I had in the car (280SL, March 1970) - but I may be wrong... They are $3 a piece at MB. This is for 113044.

[mbzse]

Note:
I cannot promise that M-B today have not substituted the original type clamps (as seen in the pictures) with something more modern (e.g. worm style). This is something one frequently experiences, when ordering...  . Be prepared

[Pawel66]

Yes, this is indeed a danger, as Hans writes - it happens fairly often on items of bigger value.. On the picture is what I got a couple of years ago.
The risk is ca $6 (my geography) in this case for two clamps.
I think I got the same parts as Hans is showing in his post (I just noticed his post now).

What I usually do while ordering parts that are visible: I ask the dealer to notify me if the PN changes because of replacement and if it does, I do not order a part. Works i n 90% of cases.

BTW: the drain hose is not correct for our cars, I think, but I do not care...

[49er]

BTW: the drain hose is not correct for our cars, I think, but I do not care...

 Yes, no drain hose was installed on mine at delivery. I put one on as well.

John

[Shvegel]

I bought 2 sets a few years ago and they match the originals.  Re-plating anything rusty can be more trouble than it is worth to remove any pits in the metal. 

[Shvegel]

https://www.authenticclassics.com/Original-Clamp-for-250SL-280SL-Coolant-Tank-p/auth-004327.htm

For what it's worth that looks like an original Gemi clamp on the small hose but it carries the wrong screw.  Should be a Phillips pan head screw.

[boterinse9]

Took mine out  buffed the hell out of it  , Looks like a solid brass tank  using  buffing compound  brasso lots of elbow grease  looks beautiful  My is when did they change to that tank can't find the change date..

[Jonny B]

From the 280 SL change list in PW 25 (from Engelen's book) the plastic tanks were phased in between VINs 20458 and 22306. The metal tanks were brass and painted.

We believe that the last few cars were back to metal.

[mrfatboy]

I believe Jon's plastic tank VIN numbers approximately translate to Aug 70 to very early Nov 70.

[MikeSimon]

I believe Jon's plastic tank VIN numbers approximately translate to Aug 70 to very early Nov 70.

That should be correct. My car with VIN 22774, late November/early December 70 has a metal tank.

[mrfatboy]

I have seen cars (VIN 22320 & 22326) and both are metal tanks.

"Leute, am Montag wechseln wir zurück zu Metallkühlmitteltanks."  🤣🤣🤣

[Iconic]

For those that don't speak German, I'll save you the trouble of looking it up (that is what I did).
"Guys, on Monday we're going to switch back to metal coolant tanks"
 

[mdsalemi]

Regarding the clamps that hold the expansion tank on, mine were pretty nasty some years ago and I was starting the process of trying to get them re-plated.

Then I called Tom Hanson at the classic center and I bought two new clamps from Mercedes-Benz and each was less than five US dollars.

To say it was a no-brainer is an understatement; in fact Tom said better order them now before somebody raises the price!!