valve cover
 

Can you post a pic of the polished valve cover?

Thanks!

I am embarrassed to do so, it is really not all that good. I will be putting it on the car, and polishing (actually re-polishing it, as it was previously polished) the one that came on the car. That one I will be happy to post a photo of.

I got the car up on the lift today with the hope of fixing the trans fluid leak, and replacing the axles. I got the trans fluid drained, and the old axles out. I brought a set of 123 axle seals with me, as I assumed since the axles are the same as a 123, the seals would be as well. I was wrong. I now need to order some axle seals for a 107. I am also having a hard time getting the old seals out. Normally they come out with a seal remover, or a large pry bar. They will not budge. I may need to do some research after I finish writing this post. I plan to reseal the dipstick tube as well as replace the trans filter and gasket. Hopefully I can get the seals and install them soon, so I don't tie up the lift for too many days.......Rich

I picked up the seat backs the other day, and installed the driver side today. I also received the axle seals today that I ordered online from Pelican Wednesday evening. I was able to get the new axles installed today as well. I replaced the trans dipstick Oring and filter and pan gasket. I just have the passenger side seat back to do, and the car will be driveable. I still need to get the outside detailed, and clean the engine bay and undercarriage.......Rich

First drive today!
 

I got the seats done, so I decided to drive the car to my daughters house to show her the car. I have never owned, driven, or even worked on a convertible before. I have to say, this car drives nice! I didn't get a chance to wash it, but I did not want to miss the opportunity to drive the car without the top on (top off made it easier to work on the seats). I have other wheels I am going to put on while the 15's are getting polished.....Rich

Diesel SL
 

It looks GREAT Rich ! .

? How are you liking the new seats ? .

Did they add any foam ? .

I need the seats done in my W123 Coupe and hate foam padding ~ I like the seats to be nice and firm like they were when new and most Auto Trimmers add extra foam padding .

TIA,

ON MY, that's a jewel. Congratulations.

Please respond to this thread when you get the wheels polished. I'm looking forward to trying my hand at that someday and would love to know the process.

Even with just removing the paint with paint stripper, they look shiny. I think they will look even more awesome once polished. I should have them back from getting stripped in a couple days. I will [post a photo.....Rich

Polish, wax and wheels
 

I treated the car to a clay bar, polish, and wax job today. Then I treated it to dinner at the Outback Steak House (my wife assumed she would join us, so I let her come along).


I had a set of sandblasted and clear powder-coated Bundts on hand, and I put them on the car until the 15's are done.....Rich

Just a question pertaining to my styling tastes. Was this model ever sold with smaller bumpers? It is just every example of then when seen on the road by me. That has not been a massive amount of them over the years by the way.

I always felt the large bumpers where not appropriate for the design. It is a matter of personal taste of course. I still like the diesel converted example in this thread. I also found some of your carpet cleaning tips very usable and obviously effective.

The bumpers are US spec for 1985 (5mph impact). Euro cars have smaller bumpers. If I could find a set, I would probably not be able to afford them. But yes, the big bumpers do look out of place on the car.

European 107 Bumpers
 

I was able to buy a complete pair of euro bumpers for my 1975 350SLC for $2,500 ~

They were in VGC unlike the car they came attached to, as usual a lying dirtbag E-Bay seller neglected to mention the rusted out body but at least the car drove home from Nevada and I had much fun driving and playing with a European version stick shift SL for about a year before I sold it on .

I suppose I could have parted it out for the headlight, bumpers and other non USA parts but it still ran and was a really fun whip so I sold it complete at a dead loss with everything but the AC fixed and the blue mouse fur seats all shampooed and the adjusters fixed, so on and so forth....

Point being, there may well be a junked parts car with bumpers and lights affordable for you waiting....

Although I don't really like how it turned out, from about four feet away, it looks okay. I had to repaint all the metal bracketry on the top of the cover, as the black paint was peeling. Here is the original thread by mach4:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/346065-little-polishing-2.html

I checked the valves while the cover was off, and they were all spot-on. I plan to re-polish the original valve cover, and then wax it good before installing it.

polish job
 

Thanks for the update, Rich.

I love how you're refreshing this car, and look forward to the next iteration of the polish!

Interesting oil cap - what's the story there? Don't remember that from Mach4's thread.

-Geoff

I believe Paul (mach4) made it. I am also not sure where it is detailed in the thread. It may just be a separate thread altogether. It has the innards from a factory cap inside.