Complete Engine rebuild

[john.mancini]

Looking at a pretty nice 230SL. Very nice body, from a dry climate. No previous rust or accident damage. My impression is that it needs an complete engine rebuild though. Something I know very little about. I do know that blue smoke that doesn't go away once the engine is warmed up is not a good sign. Has anyone out there had a recent rebuild? What am I looking at cost wise? Roughly?

Thanks

[Vander]

230SL engine parts cost more than 280SL. $10-15k.

[john.mancini]

Thanks Vander. Good to know.

[ja17]

Depending on the total mileage, a complete cylinder head rebuild will cure problems like this 90 % of the time.

[stickandrudderman]

Depending on the total mileage, a complete cylinder head rebuild will cure problems like this 90 % of the time.

Yes, but any buyer should allow for a total rebuild in the price negotiated..........

[Benz Dr.]

Depending on the total mileage, a complete cylinder head rebuild will cure problems like this 90 % of the time.

And for my 6,000th post. ( TA DA )   

Joe, that's kind of like having a vasectomy done on just one side. It only fixes half of the cause and almost none of the problem . 

[ja17]

Mercedes-Benz publishes massive amounts of technical data and "permissible wear limits" so you can make an informed judgement on what is worn out and what is still usable. it is always easiest to replace everything with new if your pockets are deep enough.

[MikeSimon]

The only thing in the lower end that could causes "blue smoke" are worn rings. Relatively easy diagnosed with a thorough compression/leak-down test. Quite a few other things can cause it in the head, so I would agree with Joe on that.

[ja17]

Depending on the mileage and history, when the head is off, often times I will remove the sub-pan and slide a piston out the top, to spot check the condition of the rings and piston ring grooves.

[Esmo]

I’m currently half way through what started as an engine bay tidy up for my SL230 in the U.K. .The cost will very much depend on what outcome you will the happy with. Shipwrights syndrome more commonly known as Shipwrights disease is the major risk. If you employ a specialist £20,000 was quoted to me.
      In short ,Bonnet /hood removed ,engine out ,strip down the easy bit. Send all metal (except injectors and fuel pipes ) for passivation, powder coating ,painting or coating including bolts screws and washers .
     Buy new injectors ,fuel lines. Buy new, all rubber, gaskets ,seals and filters . With the engine out arrange an engine bay respray. Send radiator for re core and renew hoses. The engines out so the ideal time to replace steering rods king pins and dampers .Arrange for the head to be re built . Send engine for measurements discover problems and decide to buy a new set of pistons . You may be able to come in at about £12,000 if you do some work yourself. Good luck, only other thing is allow lots of time .

[RobSirg]

……. that's kind of like having a vasectomy done on just one side.

Surely you'd have to be half-nuts to get one side done? 

[ja17]

You guys are too funny! 

[FresnoBob]

I would speak with Mike at Metric Motors in Los Angeles.  He is truly professional and his work is exceptional.  He only rebuilds these types of motors.  I recently installed a fully rebuilt 250 motor from Metric and I'm most impressed.  Looks beautiful too. 

[Benz Dr.]

You guys are too funny! 

I'm not a slow mechanic and I'm not a fast mechanic; I guess that makes me a half fast mechanic.