grandpa gave me '74 450SEL. Am I lucky?

[lovedieselsd]

He drove it into his barn 4 years ago after a costly repair. it smoked. he was fed up and bought a jaguar. I like the car, it's straight and pretty much rustfree.
128k miles. decent paintjob on it. leather is hole, yet a little saggy. I am a little worried about the engine. old petrol engines are usually headaches. I would consider putting a diesel in it, from a 116 SD.
would I need to change the whole drivetrain for that? or just the tranny?
what could cause that smoke? (I haven't seen it running yet, we couldn't find the keys)
what are they worth?

You may be better off selling it and buying a diesel, if that's what you want. The conversion may be a little more involved than it appears.

i would get the engine diagnosed and see what you have to work with. You can get replacement keys from the dealer.

[Hit Man X]

You could just give it to me.

[pawoSD]

Or to me!

[pj67coll]

I'll relieve you of the burden thereof for free. You have the pre 77 electronic fuel injection. More problematic I hear than the later version. I think you need to donate it to someone. Like me

- Peter.

[Hatterasguy]

Near me? That looks pretty good! I'll remove it!

[bgkast]

I'll give you $5

[dkveuro]

If it runs with good oil pressure...1.5bar warm idle or more and peggs above 2000rpm, you have a good motor.....They where built good and 600,000 miles is NOT unusual.

Nearly all those older engines need valve stem seals....can be done insitu with cams still in.
You'll need air supply and spring compressor along with Mercedes OE valve stem seals....ask for both intake and exhaust sets...they don't come as a kit.

You'll need oil spray bar plastics set and valve cover gaskets too.

On the other hand...I just happen to need a 450 engine for a project here.


.

[lovedieselsd]

ok maybe a little too much work to swap an engine. time is on my side though. and the US models like this one are rather ugly with the oversized bumpers, indeed. but the first questions remain unanswered. do you guys not know enough about the 116 body?

dkveuro: depending on what you'd pay for that engine, there are possibilities...

[diametricalbenz]

I think swapping the motor would be more than the car is worth. It would be cheaper to source a W116 300SD in original form. Why would you want a diesel in it?.....you can't do a burnout.

P.S. I find it ironic that the car happened to be so problematic to convince your grandfather to buy a Jaguar!

[AJW]

Originally Posted by lovedieselsd

ok maybe a little too much work to swap an engine. time is on my side though. and the US models like this one are rather ugly with the oversized bumpers, indeed. but the first questions remain unanswered. do you guys not know enough about the 116 body?

dkveuro: depending on what you'd pay for that engine, there are possibilities...

The longer wheelbase 450sel body weighs significantly more than the W116 short wheelbase 300sd body, plus the 300sd had an aluminum hood and trunk. That puppy will be a dog once converted, no get up and go.

The W116 infamously rusts everywhere, so if that is not an issue, the advantage to keeping it as-is, quite simply, is that the 450 V-8 was fantastic, and the 74 had neither catalytic converters nor the infamous ACC Servo nightmare. The horsehair pads break down, and the seats need to be redone.

Keep the car as is, or sell it for the 300SD you want, IMHO At a minimum, the entire exhaust, fuel delivery system and engine will need to be changed.

[bgkast]

I wouldn't condemn the engine yet. There are other things that can cause smoke other than bad rings. Once you get it turning over I would give it a compression test before you scrap the whole thing.

[Krautmister]

I think it looks good!!! The thing is its a classic, maynot be worth anything but wow don't see that everyday. There are too many cars on the road that look the same! Your car would be a head turner, worth the effort and the reward to see your grandfathers face, when he rides in your Mercedes and falls back inlove with it. Work hard and have the reward of a family classic. Hey nice car big but nice!!!!!

[pawoSD]

I agree that you should get it running and keep it, its definatley a classic, and looks in great shape! Since its 32 years old you could even register it as a "historical vehicle" 450's sound awesome, I heard one roar past me when I was walking on a sidewalk once.... there's some major power under that hood!

[jbaj007]

but the first questions remain unanswered.

first question:

grandpa gave me '74 450SEL. Am I lucky?

answer: yes