My Custom 1980 W116 300SD Project - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JB3 · #1 08-06-2010, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squiggle Dog

The Euro W123 had headrests in the front and rear with really interesting burgundy checkered cloth interior. I took a look at the shift knob and noticed it had 5 forward gears! So, now I have the sought-after W123 5 speed manual transmission. Should I install it in my 300SD or sell it? Hmmm...

I'm now getting very excited about my 300SD.

What a find! I think you should install it in your SD.

Squiggle Dog · #2 08-06-2010, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dropnosky

What a find! I think you should install it in your SD.

Well, it is going to have manual windows, sunroof, and heat, so maybe a manual transmission wouldn't be so out of line... Hopefully I can find a pedal set for a W116 if the W123 pedal set doesn't work.

JB3 · #3 08-06-2010, 09:48 AM

will a 114/115 pedal set work in the 116? If the 123 does not work, I have a 114 pedal set.

Squiggle Dog · #4 08-06-2010, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dropnosky

will a 114/115 pedal set work in the 116? If the 123 does not work, I have a 114 pedal set.

I'll find out.

JB3 · #5 08-06-2010, 10:02 AM

heres what the 114/115 and the 123 assemblies looks like for comparison-

Squiggle Dog · #6 08-30-2010, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dropnosky

will a 114/115 pedal set work in the 116? If the 123 does not work, I have a 114 pedal set.

I looked in the electronic parts catalog and the W116 pedal set uses 107 part numbers with some "replaced by 116" part numbers. The 115 pedal set uses 115 part numbers and the 123 pedal set uses 123 part numbers, so it looks like I specifically need either a W116 or a R107 pedal set (unless I was creative and could "make it work").

I'm a bit torn. I love driving the car with an automatic transmission. It is so pleasant to drive without having to shift gears and the transmission shifts so smoothly (after the engine runs for 10 minutes).

I'm sure I'd gain acceleration and fuel economy with the 5 speed manual, plus it's a rare option that would amaze people, but it would be a lot of work and I'm still not sure... I'd have to have decent money if I were to ever sell the 5 speed or something worthwhile in trade (like a good paint job).

Squiggle Dog · #7 08-30-2010, 05:14 PM

During the weekend I bought a set of Euro lights locally. They are in good condition other than a butchered and spliced wiring harness which I will fix later on.

I won that grille and hood ornament for $1 on eBay! I installed headrests in the $12 Pull-A-Part rear seat. I drove the car around the block and it was SO nice driving (other than having to wait 5 minutes before the car would move and then another 5 minutes until the transmission would shift into third gear).

Squiggle Dog · #8 08-30-2010, 05:18 PM

The carpeting beneath the rear window is from an early W116 when they used the darker color carpet and I think it looks nicer than a sun-bleached light tan colored one the car would have had.

I really like these 6.9 bumpers. Next on my list is to replace the rubber flex discs and convert the power windows to manual. I can't wait until I can afford to license and drive it!

Squiggle Dog · #9 09-06-2010, 10:22 PM

I got a set of used flex discs and one of them was good enough to replace the really bad one at the differential. The one at the transmission looks okay for now, but I'll want to get new ones when I can afford it.

I installed one of the manual window regulators in the driver door. The glass was having a very hard time moving in the tracks, which puzzled me. This must be why the electric regulator shattered. I ended up discovering that the aluminum post that the window slides on was not only bowed, but bent sideways! After replacing the post the window moved freely. I also installed one of the door glass pieces that I have with the Blaupunkt coded decal (I will be installing a Blaupunkt Bahamas CD player, so it will coordinate). I installed a center console wood that was not made with window switches since I won't need them anymore.

You can see that the front seats are trashed. The springs are flattened and the skins are torn. It is not at all comfortable. Speaking of seats, I will be installing front and rear heated seat parts. I installed the B-pillars that have the pods with the switches on them. The switches have a low and high heat setting.

The switches for the front seats are meant to be mounted in the console wood, so this means I will need to very carefully cut some holes in it. Looking at the back of the console wood I can see one square hole in the plastic backing through which I can see where the hole would be punched out for the seat heater switch to go. I do not see one on the other side, but maybe there is a "punch-out" in the wood behind the plastic backing. Looking at the console piece the seat heater switches came from, it appears the holes were made by drilling a hole at each corner then "connecting the dots" by cutting between them and making a square. I will be very, very nervous to make the holes for the seat heater switches!

I know that the W126 and later sedans use relay modules for the seat heaters and I am trying to figure out if the W116 uses them or if the switches do everything. I think I have all of the parts I need for the conversion. The heat pads I've got are actually from a W126 and instead of being square are separate strips that are supposed to be fit in the pleated part of the seat, between the padding strips and the leather/vinyl skin itself.