230SL Welded headers

[cfm65@me.com]

Hi Guys,
I found one of my exhaust manifolds cracked on my 250SL and require some advice in order to fit a set of 230SL welded headers.
Could anyone please give me a heads-up on what is involved with this endeavour?
Dan, Stick and Joe?
Much appreciated.
Chris
Cape Town

[Kevkeller]

You can’t braze the crack?

[cfm65@me.com]

Hi Kev,
No. I am going to replace the cast iron manifolds with early 230SL welded pipe headers (banana branches).
I needs advice and photos of the throttle linkage setup, as it differs from the linkages used with the later cast iron manifolds.
Regards
Chris

[DaveB]

Those look to be in very nice condition.
There is definitely a different linkage setup to suit these headers. Most likely the parts are NLA new and hard to find used. But probably relatively simple for a machine shop to duplicate if you can borrow a set or get a good diagram. Sorry I cannot help with part numbers or a diagram as I am not at home.

[DaveB]

And, as you will be aware, they also require a specific matching front section of the exhaust, which may be hard to get currently.

[rwmastel]

It took quite a lot of searching.
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=24128
If you owned a few MB parts books, you would have been able to look up the part numbers.  That may be an investment worth considering.  Still, you're going to have to search hard for this stuff on the used market or find someone to replicate it.

[DaveB]

Good searching Rodd.

[Cees Klumper]

Chris, you might explore going to a custom exhaust shop and have them manufacture a set that will fit your current exhaust and won't require modification of your throttle linkage. Might be easier, cheaper, quicker and even better than sourcing a 230SL set?

[afibbe]

My 230 came welded headers. I did not see  any modifications to the linkage because of this type of headers. I think the issue you will have to deal with is the length of the down tubes are different than cast iron exhaust manifold.

[rwmastel]

Alex,

See my link posted above.

[cfm65@me.com]

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the input.
After plating today, the headers looking much better.
These front pipes are still available as a unit and/or two loose pieces.
Any further advice or photos will be much appreciated.
Regards
Chris
If anyone is interested I will place photos as I progress.

[rwmastel]

Very interested in how you resolve the linkage changes.

[cfm65@me.com]

Rodd,
I assume your 230SL have the later cast iron manifold like my 250SL?
I managed to get a few different linkage parts from a wrecked W108 with a M130 engine. Plated and seen clearly in one of the photos above.
Chris

[rwmastel]

Sorry, I did not enlarge that photo and didn't notice the small parts.  Let us know if they work out for you, since they're from a M130 instead of an early M127.  Wishing you the best!

[stickandrudderman]

Here’s some photos of the linkage of a RHD 230

[rwmastel]

Chris,

Is your car RHD?

[cfm65@me.com]

Thanks Colin,
Looks very similar to the bits I got off the 108 engine.
Much appreciated.

No Rodd, I have a lefty, but every little bit of help, photos and advice would be great.
Regards
Chris

[stickandrudderman]

I don't think these parts are different for RHD or LHD.
BTW, plating an exhaust manifold is a total waste of time and money unless you're building an engine to put in a glass case for display.

[cfm65@me.com]

I agree, Colin,
However the headers looked terribly tatty and I realise the yellow passivate won’t last and the electroplating will probably turn blueish.
But, for now its looking good  and who knows, I might never get it sorted and running properly and that is really all that counts.
Please hold thumbs.
Thanks again for the photo above. I think I might be winning slowly but surely. I have swapped some of the balls on the pivots over to the other side of the brackets and pivots, in order get the setup to work and moved it slightly further away from the engine block.
Regards
Chris

[DaveB]

BTW, plating an exhaust manifold is a total waste of time and money unless you're building an engine to put in a glass case for display.

Hmm, yes that’s what I thought but wasn’t going to say 😀
They were in way better condition than most.

[cfm65@me.com]

Hi Guys,
I think Ive managed to get it all together. I’ll have the exhaust modified and fitted before start up.
Second photo, throttle closed.
Regards
Chris

[mdsalemi]

Hmm, yes that’s what I thought but wasn’t going to say 😀
They were in way better condition than most.

I think some have had their manifolds "ceramic coated". That's a thing, yes? Certified for high temperatures, and prevents them from getting tatty?

[stickandrudderman]

Hi Guys,
I think Ive managed to get it all together. I’ll have the exhaust modified and fitted before start up.
Second photo, throttle closed.
Regards
Chris

Something about that geometry doesn't look right Chris.

[cfm65@me.com]

Thanks Colin,
Do you mean the angle of the vertical rod or the angle of the upper L shaped leaver?
As you know, both these angles are adjustable and I have not paid much attention or checked the pedal position vs butterfly angle, yet.
HOWEVER YOUR INPUTS ARE MUCH APPRECIATED.
I need to fit the exhaust first. Our local exhaust shop is only a kilometre or so away, but past the traffic cops as well as the local roadworthy centre. Without an exhaust! 😳
By the way.
We are watching the world cup rugby match. PLEASE hold thumbs. South Africa might be the WORLD CHAMPS for the forth time.
Thanks again, Colin.
Regards
Chris

[cfm65@me.com]

Thanks Guys,
South Africa won the world rugby championship for the 4 time. First team ever to win 4 times.
Regards
Chris
Cape Town