Finally, an intro to the 300TD manual project. - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

crazy4diesel · #16 03-03-2014, 02:04 PM

Thanks Cooljjay, do you think I can use the hardware from the Euro seat? That seat is really in bad shape, the fabric wouldn't last much longer in CA sun.

Charlie, I'll give it a test and let you know...I have the 40# HF blaster, though my compressor does struggle with it too.

It is the driver's side rear wheel arch. The rust really isn't horrible. The car lived some of it's life in Oregon, and the rest in Southern CA. I've really not found "major" rust, or rust through, though the holes at the bottom off each door, are in just the right place to make fixing it a PITA I'd rather not deal with. All-in-all though it's a very good chassis for you guys in the snow belt, it would be likely you'd not see much better, that wasn't a barn find.

Whoever asked about the headliner in the brown car, it is intact, but it's not in the best shape. Some of the guides for the hoops I think have torn, the liner sags, and at the back the plastic tailgate trim at the room is simply gone, but I don't thing the headliner has any tears. I'll look at it and get some pics when I get back.

Mölyapina · #17 03-03-2014, 02:11 PM

The white engine bay would make finding leaks easier...

cooljjay · #18 03-03-2014, 09:47 PM

I would see no reason why the hardware wouldn't switch over to the split bench. But its hard to say until you open the both of them up. I understand about the cloth, mine is sun bleached badly but it is in still really good shape...which is strange...I am going to attempt to shampoo it for the fun of it to see what happens.

ROLLGUY · #19 03-04-2014, 12:44 AM

Looks like a fun project, and I will be monitoring it along with others...Rich

t walgamuth · #20 03-04-2014, 06:22 AM

I don't understand the affection for cloth seats. They shout stripper to me. Looks like a great project. Best luck!

MagicBus · #21 03-04-2014, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I don't understand the affection for cloth seats. They shout stripper to me. Looks like a great project. Best luck!

True, but they're pretty rare stateside, all things considered. One of my other cars is a 1991 Volkswagen Vanagon. They only built them through 1991. Through 1989, the Vanagon GL was the lowest trim level. In 1990, VW introduced a lower trim level Vanagon (with no "GL"), which is what I have.

Instead of carpets, a padded dashboard, and velour upholstery (as in the GL), my base model Vanagon has rubber floors, tweed upholstery, and a metal dashboard. I bought the van back in 2003 because it was in outstanding condition, but many Vanagon folks take notice not just because of its condition, but because of the more rare lower-spec interior. It makes little difference to me - I threw carpeting down over the rubber floor. The lower-spec interior is a conversation starter sometimes, though.

crazy4diesel · #22 03-04-2014, 01:18 PM

Yeah the cloth wasn't a big deal for me to keep, especially since it was already gone in the front. I really like the M-B Tex to be honest, it's a material I think will paleontologists will one day wonder what it was, and how it contributed to our society. The stuff is practically indestructible.

cooljjay · #23 03-04-2014, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I don't understand the affection for cloth seats. They shout stripper to me. Looks like a great project. Best luck!

Another reason people lie cloth seats, is they don't heat up like mb tex in the sun and you won't find your self stuck to them in the summer.

Mölyapina · #24 03-04-2014, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooljjay

Another reason people lie cloth seats, is they don't heat up like mb tex in the sun and you won't find your self stuck to them in the summer.

Yeah, I basically like cloth because it is more comfortable. I remember reading that in some of the early cars, the open chauffeur's compartment was done in leather for the ruggedness factor, but that the owner's closed compartment was upholstered in velour because it displayed greater wealth. No more

.

crazy4diesel · #25 03-04-2014, 01:59 PM

You guys are both right there, I sweat like a pig on most leather and vinyl seats, for some odd reason the MB Tex stuff wasn't as bad, maybe it's the deep ribs? Cooljjay in Arizona...yeah, cloth all the way, or sheepskin covers.

bt1211 · #26 03-05-2014, 05:48 PM

I never liked leather/vinyl seats(cold in the winter, hot in the summer and slippery for spirited driving). I dont hate them, just prefer cloth.

My coupe came with a cloth interior and I would love to be able to buy a replacement MB cloth set but no one sells them. I could get them customed but if I go that route I might as well use better seats and a modern design.

If anyone knows a place that sells cloth replacements, please post.

Jonrich · #27 03-05-2014, 06:29 PM

nice thread will be watching

crazy4diesel · #28 03-28-2014, 01:58 PM

I'm back in town! And back to working on this project. First of all some pics of the interior as it was requested.

And as of the end of the day:

For Cooljjay, the headliner as you can see it is not perfect, there is one small slice, and one small puncture. All of the bows are detached. I'm not planning to spend the time to remove it, just send it away with the car in the end.

Now for my next problem I want to move this car's manual climate control system to the other car. I had been told it was possible, but OMG...this mess is not what I was expecting. There is a Bakelite plastic bracket that holds the control units, it's broken (I didn't break it, it just was broken). It's riveted to the heater box (I think that is what that is, the big thing in the middle that is held in with to metal straps). I think I can repair the bracket, if I can get it off the box, any suggestions here? I'd guess, remove the box, then grind the rivets, repair the bracket, and re rivet it back on?

Also, the face plate where the knobs attach, one of the little circle inserts disintegrated upon removal, does anyone know where I can find one?

Thanks everyone!

ROLLGUY · #29 03-28-2014, 09:04 PM

Looks like standard 240 stuff. Any 240 in a wrecking yard would have what you need.
BTW, you are welcome to meet us for lunch at Pickle's, and to the car collection after for the GTG, just as long as we don't know what you drove there.

crazy4diesel · #30 03-28-2014, 09:31 PM

Thanks Rich, I'll be there! Er, it will be a diesel at least, I promise.