This is my friends 300SD that was recently "totaled" by the insurance company. As you can see by the attached pic the frame rail (for lack of a better term) is bent toward the center of the car. I'm thinking a little time spent on a frame machine can probably sort this issue out. Everything else is just sheetmetal replacement. Unfortunately, I do not have a frame straightening machine here at the house. I could possibly come up with a comealong attached to a tree but then the car will probably just slide sideways when I pull it toward the tree. Any thoughts/comments are welcome.

Any idea what it should cost just to have this section straightened out?

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Jim

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Here are a couple more shots. I am thinking about just cutting out this frame member and welding in another one. This is my first attempt at body work.

I will say the gods must be smiling on me. I was introduced to a fella today that has a 380SE available (broken timing chain) that is interested in selling. The only negative is that I have to purchase his other two diesel Mercedes as a "package". The other cars are 240D's - one an automatic and the other a manual. None of them currently run but the bodies look good. The dickering can begin. On the other hand the wife is going to *^&t. .

I have a friend that lives nearby and I am going to have him come over and watch over my shoulder on the repair job. He restores Chevelles, Camaros (late 60s'/early 70") and does a very good job.

I'll keep ya'll posted. Cap'n are those living 1/4's still available?

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Jim

Here is where I would take the seam out to. Note how the inner fender is torn away.

From what I can tell it looks like a straightforward repair.

Where are the body repair techs?

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Jim

When our bodyshop does such work the affected element is removed at its welds and a new fixture is welded back. Most times if the bend is behind the motor mounts we remove the drivetrain. The pieces are cut in and the frame measured on the bench before the suspension and drivetrain are reassembled.

It just a little bit of sheet metal and a lot of skilled labor.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Thanks Steve,
My plans are to remove the engine because it needs a new head gasket anyway. I will plan on cutting the bent section out and welding in a new one. I have had to agree to a couple/few things with the wife to get her to "by in" on the fact that I may be picking up three non-running MB's - two 123's and one 126. The things a man has to do.

How much are one of these machines? It is a pic of a late model Infinity getting the frame staightened.

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Jim

Went and discussed it with the local body shop guy that was referred to me by a very good friend (my friend has known the body shop guy since they were 3). Gave an estimate of $155 to set it up and estimated around another $150 to straighten it. I thought it was a pretty good deal and will probably try to get it over there to him over the next couple/few weeks. Seems he has to rent a special rig that will allow him to set up the car with the jack points.

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Jim

Things are finally starting to come together. Front clip is on it's way this weekend. We will get the car over to the body shop over the next few days and get the frame sorted out. After that it is on it's way to another fellas house that does body work.

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Jim

Got the head off and unfortunately it looks like we are going to have to go through the bottom end to "make it right". Tops of the pistons look good thank goodness. Will get the block/head to the machine shop here over the next few weeks. The upper 1/2s of the cylinders are worn pretty badly along with the timing chain guide which has some pretty substantial grooves. Will get pics up as I can.

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Jim

Your friend must really love this car.

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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

This one sounds like my first 300SD, should have been a parts car for a better project, but I put it back together anyway. They can all be fixed (most of em anyhow) if you want to put the amount of time and money into the repairs.

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1971 R600 Mack toterhome (SuperDawg)
99 NU-WA Snowbird 34+2 SE 102 5er
If it's not diesel, it's not in my stable!
53 F100 617.951/auto
95 Dodge 3500 Cummins/5 speed service truck

this is why I don't have time to be involved in political threads too much, thank goodness. Got the lower end togerther save for the oil pump. The oil pump chain secures with the little clips. I am going to try to find one that I can peen. Also got the head on. Need to finish up the lower end before I go much further on the timing chain.

oh yea - should have the rebuilt car (body/frame) back in the driveway sometime this weekend. Can't forget to change the front/rear seals in the tranny before I put it all together. Hopefully will be able to drop it in the car Memorial Day weekend. After it is back up and running it will return to the painter to complete the new paint job.

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Jim

116 V8 oil pump chains are one piece are put on after front cover is reinstalled...........

William Rogers........

Got the engine pretty much assembled. Need to get the auxilliary stuff mounted next. Body guy brought the car over today (the wife was thrilled). Will drop the engine/tranny in and once I get it running and then it goes back to the body shop guy for a full paint job.

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Jim

Jim, either you are crazy or you have alot of free time.





And patience....

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Enough about me, how are you doing?

Jim,
Really nice work, BUT...
your wife must be one hell of a lady, as mine is always on me for my "projects" and you definitely have a lot more than me going on.
Good luck,
Adam B