New battery tray

[dseretakis]

Finally got my 71 280SL started after one month.  Replaced spark plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor, points, condenser.  Runs rough now but still have to adjust dwell.  Anyway, in the process I noticed that my battery tray was severely rusted.  Don't have picture.  I fabricated a new one using old as template.  I used 20 gauge sheet steel, a cheapo bead roller from Harbor Freight and painted it with Eastwood's Underhood Black.  Check out image.

Dimitri
71 280SL

[jeffc280sl]

Nicely done!

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[66andBlue]

Nicely done! You could sell them on eBay, look how much this vendor wants for one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4653699126&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic

[Chad]

It looks great Dimitri. Have you fabricated other parts from sheetmetal for the car?

1967 230SL (Manual, rustless driver)

[dseretakis]

I have fabricated several parts for my 73 220D (part of trunk floor, fender patch panels, etc) but nothing else for the pagoda.  I will however most likely fabricate front portion of front fender since patch panels are not available to my knowledge and replacement fenders are too expensive and require much labor to R&R.  The battery tray on ebay is clearly of finer quality as it was stamped with factory die.  The original beads are also slightly narrower than mine but I'm limited by the diameter of the dies in my beadroller kit.  Although custom dies can be custom fabricated and I did have one made for me for my 220D trunk floor project.  For me, it is more the challenge and the enjoyment of fabricating these panels.  The battery tray @ $30 on ebay is actually a good deal in my opinion.
Dimitri
71 280SL