Inroducing 'Stormcloud' '79 W116 300SD - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Alec300SD · #1 11-14-2017, 02:46 AM

I couldn't resist, I saw this car in the builder corral at the Newark Pick-n-Pull
when I was getting a replacement cluster for the wonky speedometer and
failed odometer on 'Rena 2.0'.

Two days later, on 10/22/2017 I bought and drove her home after installing
'Rena 2.0's spare 80amp glowplug fuse in the corral to get her running, and
freeing the stuck closed center hood latch in the PNP lot.

The glowplug fuse had failed and melted a portion of the housing.
The failure to start due to lack of working glowplugs is probably why the PO sold her to PNP.

The hood release cable tension was adjusted too tight, and prevented the
latch from remaining open after releasing the hood release lever.
Disconnecting the hood release lever fron the DS footwell gave enough slack
so the hood could be securely closed.

In CA, any vehicle purchased from an auto dismantler automatically has a
salvage title, and will need a brake inspection certificate, a lamp inspection
certificate, VIN verification certificate and DMV inspection before the
registration can be revived.

Right away I replaced the right low beam that was cracked, the rear tailight
lens that had a cracked amber turn signal lens, and the neutral safety switch to regain the backup lights.

On 10/24/2017, I got the car insured, the Brake and Lamp inspection
certificates , presented them and the Bill of Sale to the DMV, paid my fees,
got a vehicle moving permit, and brought the car to the DMV for the VIN
verification and vehicle inspection.
New plates and the registration tag were issued, and the Certificate of Title
arrived today.

The classic center responded to my inquiry and sent me a copy of the build sheet on 10/25/2017.
The color is 172 Anthracite Gray Metallic, black leather seats, the electric sun
roof (410), tinted windows (592) , cruise control (440), central locking (466),
automatic antenna (531) PS seat height adjuster (572), power windows
(584), and a (broken) Becker Grand Prix AM/FM Cassette unit.

In the interim, I had her up on the lift and my indie mechanic found that a
few things need immediate attention. The rear flex disc needs to be replaced,
the rear half shafts boots have cracks but are not yet leaking, they need to
be rebooted, the oil cooler has a leak, and the steering box has a lot of play.

Besides straightening out the mangled fron plate holder, I've transferred 8
of the wheel studs and two of the Lorinser rims to the rear hubs on
'Stormcloud'. They are secured to the hubs with red Locktite gel.

On each of the rear hubs I'm keeping one hub mounting hole open to allow
for adjustment of the parking brakes when that gets done in the near future.

Nine of the twenty wheel studs I removed from 'Rena 2.0' failed to release
and split at the hex head recess.
They had to be removed with Vise-Grip pliers.
Ten replacement M12 X 40 mm studs have been ordered.

Not much else has been done, other that to prep 'Rena 2.0' for sale to a private party,
or more likely the state vehicle retirement program (aka "the crusher").
The state pays $1,000 for eligible vehicles and 'Rena 2.0' meets all the requirements.

'Rena 2.0' will be gone, one way or another, by 11/20/2017.
The purchase of 'Stormcloud' was contingent on one car leaving the fold within one month of the purchase date.
Edit: Link to the For Sale posting

Attached are a few photos, and I will update as 'Stormcloud' gets roadworthy.

pj67coll · #2 11-14-2017, 08:25 AM

Nice.

- Peter.

chasinthesun · #3 11-14-2017, 09:08 AM

I truly want a w116 ,thanks for this story ,they are a luxury liner for sure.A n old article read that the styling and handleing was like an arranged dance ,drivng characteristics where much like dancing with a very large women with quick feet.

Maxbumpo · #4 11-14-2017, 11:32 AM

Nice. My '85 wagon was the same color, I really like that color. Maybe a little too dark for a hot-n-humid climate like SC, but a dignified and subtle color that is not in-your-face look-at-me and not quite so invisible that you can't find the car in the parking lot.