Author Topic: Doubt about an engine  (Read 14274 times)

Fernando

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Doubt about an engine
« on: December 18, 2007, 21:26:07 »
In the pic near the battery there is an air intake that doesnt appear in the pics i saw...Is it a 280 sl engine?Strange Vin with 14 digits 113 044 12 018744   ( the last four is the digit?)

Download Attachment: DSC08813.JPG
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Fernando
.....................
G500(06),300GE CAB(91),300D(83)Turbo
« Last Edit: December 18, 2007, 21:40:15 by Fernando »

waqas

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Re: Doubt about an engine
« Reply #1 on: December 18, 2007, 22:31:09 »
Sure looks like a 280 engine to me... albeit with a strange cover over the distributor. Is this what you're referring to as an "air intake"? I would peep underneath it to check to see if the distributor is the correct type.

The actual air intake is on the other side of the engine, next to the headlight (you can see it in this picture).

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

Fernando

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Re: Doubt about an engine
« Reply #2 on: December 19, 2007, 04:47:48 »
Yes a strange cover over distributor. The air intake is at correct possition I saw.

Thanks a lot.

Fernando
.....................
G500(06),300GE CAB(91),300D(83)Turbo

al_lieffring

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Re: Doubt about an engine
« Reply #3 on: December 19, 2007, 06:54:32 »
The distributor cover is original for a 280sl
I guess that most of these have been discarded over the years.
I have one on my 230sl, most likely not original but I put it on any way because I like the look, there is also a cover for the coil.

Al Lieffring
66 230SL

Naj ✝︎

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Re: Doubt about an engine
« Reply #4 on: December 19, 2007, 07:53:48 »
The distributor/coil covers are meant to reduce radio interference but are also good protection against moisture and water splashes (though not many owners like to take their cars out in the wet  :evil: )

naj

68 280SL
« Last Edit: December 19, 2007, 07:54:30 by naj »
68 280SL

Fernando

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Re: Doubt about an engine
« Reply #5 on: December 19, 2007, 07:54:38 »
One more pic of the block with the engine number is a 130 .193 , and it has the big number 280. But Not 280 SL but 280 SE(B) SL.

The guy says it is original. I am thinking in head cover change !

??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

I will drive 500 Km to see and drive it.

Fernando
.....................
G500(06),300GE CAB(91),300D(83)Turbo

Download Attachment: motor 01.jpg
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« Last Edit: December 19, 2007, 07:58:02 by Fernando »

Naj ✝︎

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Re: Doubt about an engine
« Reply #6 on: December 19, 2007, 08:38:41 »
Fernando,

quote:
Originally posted by Fernando

One more pic of the block with the engine number is a 130 .193 , and it has the big number 280. But Not 280 SL but 280 SE(B) SL.

The guy says it is original. I am thinking in head cover change !

??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

I will drive 500 Km to see and drive it.

Fernando
.....................
G500(06),300GE CAB(91),300D(83)Turbo

Download Attachment: motor 01.jpg
55.89 KB




I do believe you have the right engine.
The engine # should read 130.983.12.xxxxxx
The same head is used in the 280 SE and SL
Can you get a copy of its data card?

naj


68 280SL
« Last Edit: December 19, 2007, 08:40:24 by naj »
68 280SL

Fernando

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Re: Doubt about an engine
« Reply #7 on: December 19, 2007, 08:56:05 »
I am asking for it.

Fernando
.....................
G500(06),300GE CAB(91),300D(83)Turbo

Fernando

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Re: Doubt about an engine
« Reply #8 on: December 19, 2007, 18:02:30 »
The Head PN in the pic : 130 016 17 01 do not return in EPC as a part number . The correct ones are 130 010 26 20 and 130 010 67 20 for manual and auto cars.


Fernando
.....................
G500(06),300GE CAB(91),300D(83)Turbo

Mike Hughes

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Re: Doubt about an engine
« Reply #9 on: December 19, 2007, 22:57:38 »
quote:
Originally posted by naj

The distributor/coil covers are meant to reduce radio interference but are also good protection against moisture and water splashes (though not many owners like to take their cars out in the wet  :evil: )

naj

68 280SL



One might not have much choice avoiding moisture.  Brazil is the only country I have ever driven where standard equipment in most every glove box is a squeegee - to be used on the INSIDE of the windscreen and side windows when driving in the rain!

- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
  Havanna Brown (408)
  Light Beige (181)
  Cream M-B Tex (121)

« Last Edit: December 19, 2007, 22:58:25 by Mike Hughes »
- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
  Havana Brown (408)
  Light Beige (181)
  Cream M-B Tex (121)

Naj ✝︎

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Re: Doubt about an engine
« Reply #10 on: December 20, 2007, 03:13:36 »
quote:
Originally posted by Fernando

The Head PN in the pic : 130 016 17 01 do not return in EPC as a part number . The correct ones are 130 010 26 20 and 130 010 67 20 for manual and auto cars.


Fernando
.....................
G500(06),300GE CAB(91),300D(83)Turbo



Fernando,

have a look at this table:

http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/ja17/200441225611_cylinder%20head%20and%20gasket%20chart.jpg

naj

68 280SL
68 280SL

J. Huber

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Re: Doubt about an engine
« Reply #11 on: December 20, 2007, 11:11:37 »
Well, here's another riddle for engine number gurus:

what do you make of a block that has a casting number of
129 0 110 001
and a head that reads
127 016 1901
??

James
63 230SL
« Last Edit: December 20, 2007, 11:12:06 by J. Huber »
James
63 230SL

al_lieffring

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Re: Doubt about an engine
« Reply #12 on: December 20, 2007, 15:04:33 »
quote:
Originally posted by J. Huber

Well, here's another riddle for engine number gurus:

what do you make of a block that has a casting number of
129 0 110 001
and a head that reads
127 016 1901
??

James
63 230SL



James
my block has the same number cast into the block just below the injection pump. and the same cylinder head casting number, I am pretty sure this cylinder head was original to the car. with engine number 127 981 10 011992 on my data card. The original block was still with the car when I bought it, but I discarded it several dozen years ago.

Just speculation on my part, but I think these numbers are not part numbers or even casting numbers but die numbers for the molds at the foundry.

My 230sl has had a MB replacement short block installed. More speculation here, I think because they made these using parts from later production models; ex. m129 connecting rods, m180 pistons in +.25mm bore to equal the 230sl's stock cylinder bore and other 129 and 130 parts so I'd bet they used the exterior block mold for the m129 seven main 2.5 l with the inner core mold for the m127's 4 main bearing webs.

Al Lieffring
66 230SL

J. Huber

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Re: Doubt about an engine
« Reply #13 on: December 20, 2007, 16:07:54 »
Hi Al. Sounds reasonable. My short block is also a MB replacement -- and I have the work-order which has the correct part number for a 230SL. It's just that whenever I see that 129 I start to second-guess things. In my case, the cylinder head was replaced as well.

If you don't mind me asking, what does your dipstick look like?

Mine is clearly different than the original 230 -- but not really like the 250 either... Thanks

James
63 230SL
James
63 230SL

al_lieffring

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Re: Doubt about an engine
« Reply #14 on: December 20, 2007, 21:35:06 »
James

My engine is a hodge podge of parts that I saved from scrapped out cars over the years, I don't recall what the aluminum pan casting came from, but it does not have the crank case breather that the very early sl's had, I think these got phased out during the 65 model year, and the replacement engines came with the dip stick made out of half round rod, and a thin dip stick tube with no breather filter on the stick. My original engine block did not have the breather on the dip stick either.

Al Lieffring
66 230SL
« Last Edit: December 20, 2007, 21:38:51 by al_lieffring »

J. Huber

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Re: Doubt about an engine
« Reply #15 on: December 20, 2007, 22:24:50 »
Thanks Al. I don't think mine has a breather. If you look at this rather grainy picture, you can see the dipstick top (near battery). Anyone else's look like this one?



Download Attachment: engine.jpg
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James
63 230SL
James
63 230SL

Naj ✝︎

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Re: Doubt about an engine
« Reply #16 on: December 21, 2007, 03:39:45 »
quote:
Originally posted by J. Huber

Thanks Al. I don't think mine has a breather. If you look at this rather grainy picture, you can see the dipstick top (near battery). Anyone else's look like this one?



Download Attachment: engine.jpg
63.09 KB

James
63 230SL



James,
Have a look at this discussion:

http://index.php?topic=450

naj

68 280SL
68 280SL

al_lieffring

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Re: Doubt about an engine
« Reply #17 on: December 21, 2007, 08:28:53 »
Thanx Naj

I had forgotton about the latest, longer, thinner version on the M130 motors. In this photo posted by Joe in another thread



my car has the one in shown the middle.
 
James must have a replacement block made later than mine and has the dip stick shown on the bottom. The one in my car extends up only to the P/S tank and wouldn't be visible from the right side of the engine.

Al Lieffring
66 230SL
« Last Edit: December 21, 2007, 08:38:27 by al_lieffring »

J. Huber

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Re: Doubt about an engine
« Reply #18 on: December 21, 2007, 17:23:11 »
Thanks Naj for the link. I recall that thread -- but remember thinking how could I have a 280 dipper with a 230SL (since joe mentioned they are not interchangeable)... I guess the MB replacement shortblock really is a horse of another color. My dipstick sure resembles the 280 one...

PS are the 280 dipstick rings red? Mine is more of a beige plastic.

James
63 230SL
« Last Edit: December 22, 2007, 11:07:19 by J. Huber »
James
63 230SL

Naj ✝︎

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Re: Doubt about an engine
« Reply #19 on: December 23, 2007, 05:50:52 »
quote:
Originally posted by J. Huber

Thanks Naj for the link. I recall that thread -- but remember thinking how could I have a 280 dipper with a 230SL (since joe mentioned they are not interchangeable)... I guess the MB replacement shortblock really is a horse of another color. My dipstick sure resembles the 280 one...

PS are the 280 dipstick rings red? Mine is more of a beige plastic.

James
63 230SL



James,
The quantity of oil for the engine with filter change is around 6 litres (or quarts???) I believe. Make sure your engine is getting enough oil.


naj


68 280SL
68 280SL

J. Huber

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Re: Doubt about an engine
« Reply #20 on: December 23, 2007, 09:43:26 »
Hey Naj. That is actually one of the practical reasons I was asking. I'd hate to be checking oil with the wrong stick. But every time I change the oil, it usually comes out to 5.8 or so quarts. Now when you guys check oil -- is it best to check on a warm engine or a cold one?

James
63 230SL
James
63 230SL

dante53

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Re: Doubt about an engine
« Reply #21 on: October 28, 2013, 11:33:25 »
I resurrect this old post because I'd like to solve a mistery about the engine I have on my '65 230 SL (Lhd, manual).
The original engine (127.981.10.011355 as per data card) was clearly replaced with a more recent one.
On the cylinder block of the actual engine, just under the head and below 5th and 6th spark plug holes, I read the number 127.981.10.012051 engraved on the block. The same number appears on the plate riveted immediately below. On the same plate also appears the indication M 127 II.
These numbers should reassure me that the engine is the right one for a left hand drive manual 230 SL, even though it's not the same engine that originally came with the car.
But ...... on the cylinder block I also see what appears to be a casting number (it's on rilief) that says 129 011 10 01 01.
As far as I know the number 129 identifies 250 engine series.
Is there a reasonable explanation for this mistery?

stickandrudderman

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Re: Doubt about an engine
« Reply #22 on: October 28, 2013, 21:04:48 »
Yes, and it's to be found by doing a search on this forum........ ;D

ja17

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Re: Doubt about an engine
« Reply #23 on: October 29, 2013, 04:16:12 »
Hello Dante,

Your post is a little confusing. I suspect that you mean that your cylinder head casting number is the 129 number?  If this is the case, your original 230SL engine has been re-fitted with a 250SL/SE cylinder head. This is an acceptable non-original upgrade. The 250SL/SE works fine on a 230SL engine (M127). In fact the 250SL cylinder head has larger valves and may increase your engine performance.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

dante53

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Re: Doubt about an engine
« Reply #24 on: October 29, 2013, 06:45:35 »
For Stick: I did search on the forum but this thread was the only one that focuses on the topic. Can you help in refining the search?

For Joe: the number 129 011 10 01 01 is on the iron engine block, not on the aluminium cylinder head. It is not engraved but it is a relieved number so I  guess it's a casting number.  All the numbers I mentioned in my post are on the engine block below the head gasket.
I did not find any number on the cylinder head but I will make a more accurate inspection later.
« Last Edit: October 29, 2013, 07:51:43 by Dante »