Sorting a 1985 280TE - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Adriel · #46 07-18-2017, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squiggle Dog

I bought a parts car that had a broken flex plate. Look at what it did to the inside of the converter housing!

Also, I've replaced a transmission by myself in the driveway. It was not fun!

But, the second time I did one (I rebuilt the transmission in my roommate's car) I made some nice wheel cribs that made the job a lot better.

Squiggle! Good to see you back!

Yes, have heard horror stories, but never a picture, thank you. My goodness that tore it up!

Am blessed as despite all the driving I did with it cracked and banging, didn't let go until backed into the garage.

Your pictures prove why I pulled the whole driveline, so much easier. I used to be able to lift engines, but my back said no more. Glad then I didn't try just dropping the transmission.

I am also blessed to have a garage, though the width between the bumper and the door is the same as the engine, so just need to think things through. Even have cooling and heat in the garage, plus put in a wash sink. Will miss it when I have to move to Texas.

Those wheel cribs are something else! Any further information?

Squiggle Dog · #47 07-18-2017, 11:46 PM

That's the whole reason the previous owner sold me the parts car--the broken flex plate. But, the transmission had been rebuilt before and it came with the receipts to prove it. I had no need for it at the time and had it for sale for $100 for a while and no one wanted it.

I ended up buying my current 300SD and I discovered that the transmission in it was bad. It wouldn't move forward until it had warmed up for at least 5 minutes and I barely made it home to Washington from Oregon. That spare transmission came in handy because after exchanging that chewed-up bellhousing on the spare and putting in new oil seals, it's been working great for the past 7 years.

I learned how to make the wheel cribs from some posts here and on the internet. If you do a search for "wheel cribs", you'll see how to make them. It's just wooden boards screwed together. I use ratcheting straps so the wheels don't roll off.

Adriel · #48 07-19-2017, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squiggle Dog

That's the whole reason the previous owner sold me the parts car--the broken flex plate. But, the transmission had been rebuilt before and it came with the receipts to prove it. I had no need for it at the time and had it for sale for $100 for a while and no one wanted it.

I ended up buying my current 300SD and I discovered that the transmission in it was bad. It wouldn't move forward until it had warmed up for at least 5 minutes and I barely made it home to Washington from Oregon. That spare transmission came in handy because after exchanging that chewed-up bellhousing on the spare and putting in new oil seals, it's been working great for the past 7 years.

I learned how to make the wheel cribs from some posts here and on the internet. If you do a search for "wheel cribs", you'll see how to make them. It's just wooden boards screwed together. I use ratcheting straps so the wheels don't roll off.

Interesting how part W123 and W126 are $500 and less for a vehical that if not parts goes for $2,500 and up. Too bad, lot of nice examples parted out for minor reasons, like in this case, the transmission. But, saved another so there is that.

I bought the 280 for $1,000. Think that low because of the knocking. Being in Seattle, couldn't go look it over. We figured we had a diesel engine/driveline so buy it for the European market features and do a swap if necessary. Worse case, sell the features and scrap the rest, still come out at least even. But, the flex plate, one slightly low cylinder, some leaks, coachwork needs work, and some rust is the only major issues. Thankfully, looks like someone oiled the bottom of her as the only rust is the actual battery tray, driver's door, rear driver's fender, and couple spots of surface rust.

Okay, will look, thank you.

Squiggle Dog · #49 07-19-2017, 05:09 PM

The 300SD parts car had also been hit on the driver's side doors and had bad paint. It had a lot of goodies like front and rear heated seats, so it was money well spent. I originally bought it for the engine to put in a W111 fintail. But, I saved almost everything from the car and most of it went into my current 300SD. And now the engine is in my fintail station wagon.

I thought that I had emailed to someone the measurements and specifications on how to build the wheel cribs, but I can't find the email and Yahoo! Mail is being outrageously annoying.

Adriel · #50 07-19-2017, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squiggle Dog

The 300SD parts car had also been hit on the driver's side doors and had bad paint. It had a lot of goodies like front and rear heated seats, so it was money well spent. I originally bought it for the engine to put in a W111 fintail. But, I saved almost everything from the car and most of it went into my current 300SD. And now the engine is in my fintail station wagon.

I thought that I had emailed to someone the measurements and specifications on how to build the wheel cribs, but I can't find the email and Yahoo! Mail is being outrageously annoying.

Yes, hard making the decision. The '79 300TD I tried three times to get at least running, but wouldn't even turn over. Yes, you could put in new rockers, floors, pillars, fix the ignition wiring, rebuild the engine (veggie and no air filter killed the rings), but why?

The back half was way less rust, so kept it in case did get rear ended and then did. Also, REALLY nice when need a part, can go pull it or go get it out of storage. Trouble is, now with having a 280TE, less parts are useful.

Thank you for taking time out!

Figured had enough and here you go to even more trouble. Much appreciated.

Adriel · #51 03-21-2018, 03:57 PM

Hey folks, finally getting back to her.

I been looking for employment instead and now found it in Dallas Texas, need to get back on the road for the day and a half drive. My sister-in-law said I couldn't get it done in a month, so extra motivation, as oddly find pleasure proving people's expectations of me wrong.

So far:
Control arms rebuilt and guide rods mounted, along with their mounts. On the guide rods, cleaned out all the rust so turn effortlessly for better alignment, along with packing grease into the rods and the threads. Am all about good lubrication.
Entire engine is now cleaner, freed from several millimeters to couple centimeters thick of oil spray smutz from a leak; interesting all that was found under the shroud. Including, when cleaning the distributor housing, one of the bolts had backed out, so hoping Tram and I are right that is the leak. If not, at least now can see where coming from.
Intake manifold back on.
NOS steel Bosch injectors installed. Cleaned and tested the originals and couldn't get a good pattern, so rubbish.
Transmission bolted to the engine along with the starter.
Spindles having the lower ball joints pressed in, friend thinks bringing over this evening along with a blue can of torch fuel.
Tram and I checked the water pump and in good nick.
Also he said no reason to mess with the factory set ignition timing.
Thanks to Rich and others, most of the idler arm bushing is out, except the internal bits. Tried hammering out, got the top down to the bottom fragment, but the bottom fragment isn't moving. Put a bag over the end in such a manner the end of the welded sleeve is submersed, along with the entire length, and letting soak for at least a few days.

Before installing the driveline:
Install the fuel distributor.
Install the metal fuel lines.
Install the cold start valve. Hoping after soaking in cleaner doesn't leak, as NLA and no clean way to cap the fuel line coming off the distributor.
Installing the engine accessories. Doubtful this will include an A/C compressor as no suitable replacement is available. Instead, significant modification will have to be done and a dryer sourced (aftermarket was used so no way to use a stock unit).
Remove the upper control arm from the wrecked 300TD-T, waiting for a friend to find the tool that worked last time, as my suspension tools are broken (apparently Matco isn't quality and no warranty).
Once have all the suspension bits sorted and here, can get cracking on assembly. Thinking though my glutes and shoulders need a rest from all that sawing to get the idler arm bushing bolt cut out.

Think that is all, but probably missing something. Once that is all done, then fun begins putting the driveline back in.

Little by little, will get there. Some days there will be no real progress, but learning to accept that and enjoy working on her. So, if gets unpleasant, I go work on something else and come back. Or if need a full break, plenty to do regarding moving out of state, my goodness so much, but know worth it.