'86 560SL appraisal?

[rgp123]

A friend of mine has just come into this car from his uncle.

Bad stuff: It shows 136k on the clock that isn't working. AC is still R12 and is holding pressure. It may TRULY just need a charge and I have the R12. Cruise isn't working. Soft top is original (blue) and has two 10-12" tears running paralell to the outside seams above each side glass. Tires are dry rotting, made in '99 B'stone Turanzas. It makes a "rattling" noise for the first few seconds after you start it up (when cold) then it suddenly goes away. No records to speak of but may be able to run something down through the old uncle.

Good stuff: It runs very strong. Starts with a bump of the key. The blue interior is perfect as is the wood. Windows and locks work correctly. Transmission works great. No leaks anywhere. Hardtop is perfect. Tracks and brakes well. Great original white paint. Original wheels are in good shape. Trunk is clean, jack and spare are practically new. No rust in any of the usual 107 spots nor anywhere else of obvious note.

Any thoughts on value would be greatly appreciated.
RP

[Roncallo]

If you replace the spedometer, top, timing chain, chain rails and chain tensioner. It will be worth about 10K if it's as good as you say.

In any case do replace the chain, upper chain rails and chain tensioner, right away befor it cost you 10K to fix it.

John Roncallo

[Strife]

If the rattling is that bad, I'd seriously consider NOT even driving it into the garage, $50 towing is less than the alternative. Sounds like the timing chain system could go anytime.

[rgp123]

So the rattle, even though intermittent, indicates the chain tensioner is about to go? I had a 240D with a bad tensioner and it rattled all the time at idle. Granted, it was not as loud as this one but it was resolved easily.

I will have a pro check it out. I am not driving the car anyway. I really think my friend wants to sell it as a project for someone else, not a refinished driver for himself. I may put it on ebay with the good, the bad and the ugly.

[Strife]

I can't be certain of this (I just have my car's removed parts to compare against, and a lot of reading of groups) but I think the scenario is: the tensioner doesn't hold oil well anymore and the oil leaks back into the engine, putting less tension on the chain as the car sits. The car starts and the chain slaps around before the tensioner gets full of oil again. The upper guides, made of plastic, now brittle with age, break. A piece gets wedged inbetween the chain and gear. The chain skips and...well...

It seems that most people who have had a chain break have had it happen upon startup.

[rgp123]

Thanks for the education! The car sold for $6,700 as is!!