My turn for the wrecked W124 thread

[pawoSD]

Awesome, get her back on the road soon! Looks like a beautiful car overall.

[leathermang]

Originally Posted by engatwork

.... pulled the radiator support out with the tractor.....

You must have some fine clutch control .... LOL

[layback40]

Originally Posted by leathermang

You must have some fine clutch control .... LOL

Wire strainers are great for fine controlled pulling. Have used them for everything from cow birth assistance to motor removal. Not to mention unbogging the 124.

[leathermang]

' Wire Strainers' = Aussie for Fence Pullers....
But Jim is a man's man...no sissy little hand implements for him... works with Band Saw Blades bigger than your house... literally...

[engatwork]

I got the sissy hydrostatic four wheel drive Kubota.

I did make the mistake of trying to use the bucket to support the porch of the house while replacing the porch (removing/replacing the columns). That did not work out as well as pulling the fender out.

I'm just glad the engine still starts/runs. After she wrecked it she drove it home for ~1.5 miles in the rain. The fan/fan clutch was not moving but it looked like the belt drive system had continued to run kinda melting the belt where the fan clutch was stuck at. I did not crank it up to see what was going on.

[engatwork]

Should have mentioned that I did not try to start it before pulling the radiator out from against the fan.

Anyway, got it torn down this weekend and have attached a pic of the work I am going to hire out. I've got a handle on the replacement parts but I've got to go to north Ga to get them. Hopefully, I'll get up there this week.

[layback40]

Originally Posted by engatwork

Should have mentioned that I did not try to start it before pulling the radiator out from against the fan.

Anyway, got it torn down this weekend and have attached a pic of the work I am going to hire out. I've got a handle on the replacement parts but I've got to go to north Ga to get them. Hopefully, I'll get up there this week.

Smart move to let some one with plenty of experience straighten that.
Having the replacement parts will make it easy, should end up as good as new.

[engatwork]

I've watched those guys on tv replace stuff bigger than this and then get it painted within 30 minutes. I don't move that fast. I was able to get the sheet metal section that needs to be restored from the parts car which will make things alot easier.

Unfortunately, the new hood and fender are not brilliant silver like the original car but it is close enough for me. The wife has not seen it yet. I may try to paint the whole car. I'll see what else it is going to take.

Oh yea, I was pleasantly surprised to see the hole already in the inner fender for the air intake on the diesel. Now all I need is the louvers cut into the new fender. I may rice it up and go with one of those fancy inlet ducts like you see on F1 cars. I don't remember what you call them. I've got plenty of bent hood that I'm going to use to get more proficient with my welding ability.

[scottmcphee]

You don't need to cut louvers in the fender, it can breath from within the space.

This hit is exactly the same hit and damage one of my parts cars has sitting outside. I started to pull sheet metal and stuff, and have a good hood sitting on it, but ... it has started donating parts to the cause of keeping my best 124 on the road so it will probably never see the job finished.

Fun to watch here what coulda been happening in my front yard.

[PaulC]

Originally Posted by engatwork

I may rice it up and go with one of those fancy inlet ducts like you see on F1 cars. I don't remember what you call them. I've got plenty of bent hood that I'm going to use to get more proficient with my welding ability.

NACA duct.

[JimmyL]

Originally Posted by engatwork

She ended up getting a good, used Honda Element.

Folks either love or hate the Element. I tried to get my daughter to get one when she finally decided to unload her pos Jeep Liberty. She ended up with husbands Camry, he got a newish truck!
You can't beat the Element for utilitarian functionality. If anything ever happens to the TL, I'll either get another TL or an Element. Would be perfect to work out of......




Glad you are getting the '95 back on the road. Of course, my favorite MB!!!

[dagObx]

Jim,

I saw this thread after I posted about my wreck. At least it looks like you can pretty much fix her with bolt-on parts, which is great! Good luck with your project.

What is it about 124's, anyway? Seems there's a rash of crashes lately...

Dave

[RLGDiesel]

Any more progress lately??

[engatwork]

The car is still at the body shop having the metal pulled out. I should get it back by the end of the week.

[engatwork]

Body shop bill came in at $400. Now all I've got to do it put everything back together.