How would you like a new engine?

[Peter van Es]

Dear all,

I hope we are not overdoing the "hot-rodding" fear factor in this forum. The vast majority of members (certainly the silent majority) have absolutely no plans to modify or hot-rod their cars.

As far as I recall, most people here are attempting to keep their cars as original as possible. Also, the whole effort around the Technical Manual is about recording the history and definitive truth on all matters Pagoda.

However, as someone who is involved in trying to put together that manual, I notice that precisely the efforts of those that tinker, attempt to improve (sometimes successfully, sometimes not), and subsequently share their experiences with us allows me to make that manual all the more definitive.

So please all, keep in mind that a variety of opinions and experiences is necessary to end up with the correct answer... in that way it's a little like Darwinism.

And also keep in mind that the few people who are attempting something  wild with their ride, are few indeed.

So let's all be tolerant of one another. And keep up the good, cooperative and sharing spirit that has made this forum to the best in the Mercedes-Benz world.

Peter

Also known as 'admin@sl113.org' and organiser of the Technical Manual (http://www.sl113.org/wiki/pmwiki.php). Check out http://bali.esweb.nl for photographs of classic car events and my 1970 280SL.

[bpossel]

  Thanks Peter !

Well said !  This is a great group of car enthusiasts with lots of great ideas.  Lets keep sharing and keep these wonder cars alive and well.  Even though some of us may stray from our data cards a bit, this site and its members help many of us to undo the many years of abuse, neglect and total wrong doing with these fine machines...

To all W113 members ... Please participate in those threads that you can help in.  If you dont like a particular thread, then dont participate.  Lets keep it positive and fun !

Thank you W113 members!
Bob

bpossel  (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL  /  '97 E320

[tuultyme]

My Data Card shows that I had MBTex interior.  I installed leather because I wanted to when I made some interior repairs.  I increased my insurance with Hagerty because of my "increase value".  They at first wanted to call my new interior a customization but after an explaination that it was an available option they left that out.

Bruce; 268Blaugrun(green) 1970 280SL; IL

[jeffc280sl]

I like Dan's idea.  Can we add a subsection to the forum and call it R&D?  

As we move forward with future planning should we also consider additional subsections to focus posters and readers on specific areas of major interest. Sort of a bridge between the forum and tech manual.  Given the 5,600 topics and 46,000 replies maybe its time to consider the future and how best to evolve the forum?  We would not be the first to address this, can we learn from the experience of others?

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[Shvegel]

I just wanted to say that I am not in favor of a separate section for R and D. I have watched many threads where someones' idea for modification has been helped along or they have been cautioned by someone else who had more knowledge in a given area. Relegating the technical nomad to a back page will limit the imput of others who may be able to help them along.


I greatly appreciate people like Walt Klatt who has a 4 cylinder diesel engine in his 113.  It might not be what I want to do with my car but the days of fuel in plentiful supply are coming to an end and we all might have to look toward alternatives some day if we want to keep enjoying our beloved 113.

[Benz Dr.]

Let's be clear about something, OK?

 I'm not talking about colour changes or other things that fall into typical personal choices. I'm talikng about wholesale changes like going to a non stock engine from another brand or even a more modern MB engine.
This isn't what I think anyone would consider to be a typical modification. That is in fact street roding or reto rodding.

And yes, while there's probably only a few people here who are doing such things it's something I don't like to see. We'll probably set up a seperate forum for this kind of thing and leave it at that.

I honestly believe that major modifications shouldn't be considered by anyone for obvious reasons.
And the top ten reasons you shouldn't modify your car:
 
1)it greatly devalues the car
2) some modifications aren't safe at all or done well
3) you can't get vintage plates in most cases
4) putting things back to original is often difficult or too exspensive which is how your car got devalued in the first place
5) too many of these projects end up never finished and the car gets parted out ( may be a good thing actually )
6) you can't compete in national MBCA events ( not a great deterent I suppose )
7) the cost to do these mods are often more than doing it right
8 ) you get sent to the back of the bus
9 ) warts start to grow on your back side
10 ) you get tut tuted by people like me who want nothing to do with cars like this




Dan Caron's
 SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
 slbarn.mbz.org
  1 877 661 6061

[TheEngineer]

I installed a 3.27 rear axle in my little red car several years ago. It really was an improvement: The car is better on the freeway and just fine in town. But I did grow a wart on my back. Actually, a little further down. I'll let you know what happens when I put this transmission in, that I have had sitting in my garrage. Can you tell me what will happen if I install that 09 cam?

[seattle_Jerry]

Dare I ask....what transmission?

1967 230SL Havana Brown Auto with A/C

[Benz Dr.]

I think you loose your rotating star. It seems to be happening already because I don't see it anymore.

 Well..... the 09 cam will give you about 250 HP but your brakes won't handle it. One day you run into a beautiful blonde at an intersection who feels sorry for you since you're all smashed up from the huge wreck you were just in. She doesn't even have a scratch, visits you in the hospital every day and falls madly in love with you.

 Your wife finds out and kills you.




You go to heaven where you meet St. Peter who asks you some important questions.
St Peter.
 '' So, you're an engineer, eh? ''
Pete.
 '' Ah, yeah, that's right... ''
'' And your wife killed you? ''
'' Uh huh.  ( ? ) ''

You're not sure where he's going with this but it doesn't look good. He changes his line of questions.

''So, you modified your car, eh? ''
( St. Peter is clearly a Canadian )
'' I'm an engineer, that's what we do. ''
'' Oh, really? '' comes the sly reply. '' The devil tried to modify things and look what happened to him.''

You swallow hard. This looks pretty bad. He has you right by the....

'' So, can you look at my car? It seems to be running a bit lean.''
'' Huh? ''

Pete.....Pete!  Peter!!!!
 Huh???!!!
 Wake up Peter you're having a bad dream!
( You're wife isn't impressed with you or what you're doing. )

You've fallen asleep on the sofa while watching TV. You were watching The Trailer Park Boys and the blonde in your dream is Lucy. She also looks like the blonde girl at the hospital.....

You decide not to tell your wife about the blonde in your dream or mention the nurse at the hospital while you were put under to remove several warts from your back side.

 You recover slowly but after a while you don't remember the strange dream you had or the accident.

 ( One day you hear a knock at the door. You go and answer. It's the Benz Dr making a house call.... )







Dan Caron's
 SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
 slbarn.mbz.org
  1 877 661 6061

[waqas]

Brilliant! ...but isn't there a separate section for short stories...

     

Waqas ('Wa-kaas') in Austin, Texas

[TheEngineer]

Oh - That's funny! I haven't laughed so hard in a long time! THANK YOU BENZ DR.!

'69 280SL,Signal Red,Automatic,retired engineer, West-Seattle,WA

[Kemal]

Love it ! (' ')
At times all that I read here is far too much for me to comprehend, as I am still a learner !
However, Dan Caron's , I salute you.

                                   (' ')

Kemal
280 SL Manual 69

[Shvegel]

Guess I'll have to throw out that Getrag 5 speed I just adapted to a 113 bell housing. Wouldn't want to loose my star.

[Benz Dr.]

Hehehe
That's a vintage part. You can still look.... if you're a good boy.

Dan Caron's
 SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
 slbarn.mbz.org
  1 877 661 6061

[al_lieffring]

I have deciced to take a different tack on my Pagoda resto project:



Does any one have an extra F350 pickup frame laying around?


Al Lieffring
66 230Sl
a-cheesin with a new 85 l. tank

[Shvegel]

Al,
Maybe the Supercharged V8 isn't such a good idea. I have a brand new S-38 6 cylinder engine from a 1988 BMW M5 in my garage. Might start a nice teutonic meltdown.

Not to mention you would piss off the BMW guys too.