1982 300D Turbo 200k+(?)

New to this board and MB.... Am just learning to get under the hood and under the car. Have done two oil changes, replaced the air filter housing bracket, reworked my instrument cluster (all working now thanks to you all), and done a complete cooling system flush. Am now hoping to attempt some real work and need a list of proper tools such as what type of torque wrench to get, etc. I do have a standard craftsman 1/2, 3/8 and 1/4 inch wratchets and an assortment of open end wrenches.
I would like to be able to do complete 15000 mi service and fluid changes, brakes, etc.

Any help greatly appreciated!

Hi,

It just so happens I've been doing a bit of research lately on specialty tools, and have bookmarked the following threads:

craftsman tools

What tools would you have with you?

Tools...

"just in case" supplies for my 300D

http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&th=623b92bf5a580c17&rnum=9

http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&th=ce9c732de44323fb&rnum=8

http://www.team.net/www/morgan/tech/whotools.html

http://www.danaher.com/html/ourbusiness/group.asp?Plt=4

http://www.samstagsales.com/

http://www.angloamericantools.com/

http://members5.boardhost.com/insidetools/index.html

Start with those, and pay attention to the discussions of Who Makes What. My advice is to spend your money wisely by getting only what you need as you tackle each job, and buy the best you can afford.

I hope to start a thread in the future about what tools represent the best value, best warranty, ease of exchange, price/relative performance, etc.

And one quick note: SK Tools, which have received lots of praise on this board and others, have been owned by Facom (a French company) for a couple of years now. If you want U.S. made SK, check eBay. The same goes for a couple of other trade names...

Allen sockets..... 6, 8, 10mm

On tightening bolts in general, old-timers like short handled ratchet because long handled break bar provides waaaay too much leverage that overtightens nuts and bolts far beyond typical 15-27 lb recommendations.

Hell, about the only thing I'd use a torque wrench on would be the cylinder head..... otherwise you can get reliable feel with short handled ratchet - not the standard size ratchet, but the one with shorter handle thats not included in most socket tool sets.

You'll also want a 14mm allen socket to remove the rear diff fill and drain plugs. I always service mine at 15K intervals. The rear diff works hard back there!

Brandon

Fermenteer,

Get a 27mm or 1 1/16 deep socket in 1/2 inch drive. This is used on the crankshaft bolt to turn the engine for jobs such as adjusting the valves. It also works for removing the injectors.

You should check the valve clearances unless you know it was done recently. Get feeler gages of .003, .005, .013 and .015 and use them as go, nogo gages. Also check the cam timing and chain tensioner when you have the valve cover off. If you don't know how, do a search.

I have had good service from Craftsman tools and you can't beat their warranty. Even if their tools are abused and they break, they hand you a new one with no hassle.

P E H

I second Joe Blowe's comment about buying only what you need and buying quality when you do. There's nothing more frustrating than trying to use second-rate tools on a first-rate car. Good tools will last the rest of your life. Go for quality rather than quantity.

Cheers,
Wes

I would reccommend that you but tools as you need them outside of the basics. I have been working on my cars for twenty years and I still buy tools. One set I just bought that I wish I purchased was a set of tee handle allen with ball ends. Makes the biggest difference when trying to reach those hard to access allens. I specifically purchased them to change out the intake manifold gasket on a 603 diesel.

I would also reccomend a set of small ingnition wrenches. THey come from 4mm to 9mm. THey are cheap and come in handy in many places.

Henry

__________________
63 190d (sold)
69 220D (sold)
69 280SL (sold)
76 BMW 2002 (sold)
86 190E-16v (Demised at Laguna Seca Turn 9)
87 300SDL (sold)
87 300SDL 135k
87 300TD 280k (sold)
95 E320W 211k
95 E320w 111k
05 C320 4matic
06 E320 CDI 90k (Totaled by a texting 19 year old girl in a nissan)
2013 GLK 250 Bluetek 4MATIC

I have found my gear wrenches to be a worth there wieght in gold a set will run 100.oo for craftsman. 60.00 for gear brand and walmart has stanly for 20.oo a set

hope it helps pat

1982 300D 200K+

Got a set of Craftsman 151 peice set on sale for $99. Has 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch wratchets, metric and standard. I know I won't need the inch stuff, but someone on this board said the 1 1/16 is the same as the 27mm which I know I will need.

I also ordered a Mityvac.

Still need a specific suggestion on what range of torque wrench I will need. I've never used one.

Thanks again to you all.... I will continue to appreciate all suggestions on tools, etc

Fermenteer,

Proabably 150 foot pound 1/2 inch drive torque wrench will be sufficient. If you have bad eyesight like I do, a slip or click torque wrench will work better for you because you don't have to read the dial. You just set the required torque on the wrench and when it gets to the set torque, it slips or clicks. If you work mostly on metric cars, a metric scale will be easier to use but you can convert either scale to the other.

There are many available on Ebay.

P E H

This kind of flies in the face of my previous statement, but I recently bought a $12 torque wrench ($20 reg.) from Harbor Freight. Why did I "cheap out" on this tool?

I just needed a torque wrench for my wheels, and this was the cheapest and best way to apply even torque. Not sure how accurate it is, but they're just wheels...

Now I wouldn't recommend my new wrench for fine work (cyl. heads, etc.), but for a single purpose tool it fits the bill.

One thing I have found in torque wrenches is that the click type are not as accurate at either end of their range. In other words, if you want to torque something to 95 ft lbs or to 15 ft lbs, don't use a 100 ft lb click type torque wrench. Don't know whether this same thing applies to the torsion bar type wrenches.

Other than head bolts and wheel lugs, I don't find a lot of use for my two torque wrenches.

Wes

Yes, exactly. That's why I bought the 150 ft. lbs. wrench for 12 dollars. How bad could it be when I'm tightening bolts at 80 lbs.? That's probably the wrench's sweet spot!