rebuild or don't rebuild 560sl engine? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

kingjnod · #1 10-19-2005, 05:49 PM

My 1986 560SL (177K miles) has a bad bottom end in the engine and my mechanic says it needs a rebuild (about $10K). The only other car I have ever desired is the new series SL but that is too expensive for now (I typically buy used luxury cars, but the price is still too high on the 2003 SL500). I am thinking to myself, where am I gonna get a car that I love for 10K? That makes me tend to agree to having the rebuild done. My wife thinks I might be a little crazy. But the body, seats, roof, and interior are pretty much showcar condition (I live in socal and keep it garaged).

Any thoughts on rebuilding engines and when it makes sense and when it doesn't?

ericdee · #2 10-19-2005, 06:11 PM

You should be able to get a good motor from a wrecking yard for $2500, and then just rebuild the top end. Normally you should be able to get 300k out of those motors.

Jim Anderson · #3 10-19-2005, 06:14 PM

If you live in socal, have you asked the famous Enrike?

page62 · #4 10-19-2005, 06:14 PM

Why is it so much? You can buy a rebuilt engine (with warranty) from GermanStar for about $6000. Add in freight costs and labor, and it's still under $10K.

blueranger · #5 10-19-2005, 07:15 PM

here is what i would do..

i would pay the local handy man 200 bucks to take the engine out..

i would order all the rebuild parts from fastlane here....probably
1500 bucks with new pistons....

i would pay my local napa machine shop 750 to rebuild...

i would pay my handi man another 200 to put it back in the car..

and honestly i would probably have 500 that i did not spend...

page62 · #6 10-19-2005, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueranger

i would pay the local handy man 200 bucks to take the engine out..

Say the word "mercedes" and people get big dollar signs in their eyes. But having been a car guy all my life, and having a fair amount of car knowledge, my SL has taught me that the V8 Mercedes is not all that different from the 4.6L SOHC in my F150 pickup truck. Yes, the SL engine would have been something semi-exotic 25 years ago, but it's mainstream technology today.

I guess we're all trying to say that you should be able to find someone decent to do the rebuild at reasonable cost. Shop around.

deanyel · #7 10-19-2005, 10:00 PM

Make sure that the handy man, that will work for such wages, isn't drunk - that could cause problems, on the removal or the installation.

blueranger · #8 10-19-2005, 11:18 PM

i said 1500 in parts.. but you could probably do without the
pistons and save 800....and if i only had one bad piston i would
go to the junk yard....the trick will be if the crank and the cam shafts
are good... and if they are your in business... the people at my local
napa do a great job... i would take the engine out myself probably.

and yes, i just did a 300e for less than 500 dollars... and it runs great..
and now has probably 3k miles on it... i posted it as i was doing it and 3 or 4 of us were doing them together here on the board...

i met a nut who spent these heavy bucks... and yes he had new cranks.. and new cams... and new pistons... and new valves.... and new springs...
and new oil pump... and it was polished... and balanced and magna fluxed
and blueprinted.... but why do all this to a daily driver...

my car was a 300e and his was a 300e and mine drives just as well as
his and it only cost me 500 bucks.....

i recommend you get the book and pull the car in your garage and do it yourself.... it will be a life accomplishment....

page62 · #9 10-20-2005, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deanyel

Make sure that the handy man, that will work for such wages, isn't drunk - that could cause problems, on the removal or the installation.

Back in the '80s, when I was working for little more than minimum wage, I had one such "handyman" replace the timing chain and gears on my '69 Cougar. I paid him 20 bucks...and a bottle of MD 20/20 (really!!!)

And he did a good job, too...

maheath · #10 10-20-2005, 06:04 PM

Metric Motors has a really good reputation among independent Mercedes mechanics. For $7500, you get a completely rebuilt long block with a 4 year/50k warranty.

http://www.mercedesengines.net/500s.htm

If I had to rebuild the lower end, I'd probably buy one from them unless I decided to try it myself. But I don't think I'd have the time to do it myself.

ctaylor738 · #11 10-21-2005, 08:52 AM

I say go the used route. There is no sense in putting an extra 7500 into an engine that will outlast the car.

Also, you could probably get $4K for the car as is. Take that, along with the $10K you were willing to put into the engine, and buy a 560 with 60-90k miles. There are plenty out there. You could also find a higher mileage 129 in that price range.

I don't want to offend, though, if the car has sentimental value.

TX76513 · #12 10-21-2005, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maheath

Metric Motors has a really good reputation among independent Mercedes mechanics. For $7500, you get a completely rebuilt long block with a 4 year/50k warranty.

http://www.mercedesengines.net/500s.htm

If I had to rebuild the lower end, I'd probably buy one from them unless I decided to try it myself. But I don't think I'd have the time to do it myself.

Metric has some very tough core policies - Food for Thought

kingjnod · #13 10-21-2005, 02:48 PM

Thank you all for your suggestions and advice. Thanks to your replies and this great forum, particularly this great article about the 1997 R129 (http://www.kenrockwell.com/sl/index.htm) that I found on the forum, I have decided to look for and buy a 97 SL500. Luckily I live in Southern California and there are lots of well maintained but well priced cars to choose from. My wife has a new S class and I guess I am just ready to move up a generation in the SL's now. Maybe in five years I will pick up a 2004 SL500.

speedy72t · #14 10-21-2005, 07:19 PM

I can't say I agree with using the local Napa for machine shop work on a Mercedes V8. My local Napa can barely manage pressing wheel bearings without screwing it up. But I definately wouldn't spend 10K on the car either. A lower mileage yard motor is probably the route I'd take. For the most part nobody puts them together better than the factory.

blueranger · #15 10-21-2005, 08:11 PM

let me say this.....

"its just an engine" remember that it is just an engine....
and you could probably find some country boy who could put
you in a brand new chevy eng and tranny for under 2k... and it
would probably perform much better and be more dependale..
(but i only own 3 mb's)

with all that said "it is still just an engine" and the local napa is
as good as the old man back in the machine shop... and the old man
has 20 years driving pistons then he can probably do it...

also the earlier you catch a rebuild the better off you are... so if you have not slung a rod or spun a cam or something really bad... and all your
problems are valves, head gaskets and rings... you should be able to do this without any big deal...

and 200 bucks a pizza and a 12 pack of bud ok maybe 18pk will get any engine out in america...