R129 SL under construction...

[MBenzNL]

Here are some pics of my 1990 300SL-24 that is currently being modified...I hope you enjoy them!



This picture was taken after I removed the head to renew the head gasket and a lot of other head-related parts. The engine had been leaking oil too long and after I didn't have the time to solve the problem during the last 2 winters I just started this repair and modification job at the beginning of (this very wet) summer.



This is the front with everything taken off. The headlights will be exchanged for OEM MB Xenon and therefore I have to add headlight washers. The OEM 1990 bumper will be exchanged by OEM model 97 bumper(s) as shown on the next picture.







Some pictures of the interior that is taken out to add some wires (for the Xenon light-height adjusting system) and to clean the car once and for all (and renew a lot of the plastic covers and panels in the interior).



And here are some/most of the parts that have to be joined with the car real soon again...the big flat box that is standing behind the W113 hardtop, contains the rear part of my R129 softtop...
In the top left corner you can just see my fathers new project...a 1968 200D...

greetingz,

[AJG382]

These are some great pictures.

I would be interested in hearing how this all works out. The headlight change is something I would consider doing and I will be waiting to here how this works out for you.

Tony

[DALE DORIA]

WOW! Those pic's are great! Looking at the interior really makes one appreciate all that goes into the roof mechanism. You certainly have a terrific project in front of you. I will be anxious to see how it all turns out and any new pic's you may have.

[G-Benz]

Now THAT is an ambitious project!!!

Any chance you can share with me how to go about removing the front seats?

[MBenzNL]

G-Benz, the front seats are mounted with 8 bolts with a torque head. These bolts are a pain in the a@$ to get out since mercedes used loc-tite on these bolts and some bolts are hard to get to. There are 3 bolts at the inner side (tunnel/console) and 5 at the outer side.
After the bolts are removed you need to get the seat a little to the front, lift the front side of the seat and disconnect all the plugs underneath the seat where they are connected to the seat module.
Beware not to scratch the thresholds when taking the seats out; the seats are heavy!
I ordered a couple of new bolts for my seats to be sure that I can get them out again any next time...

I will keep everyone updated about the progress and will write down the complete modification on my own web site (with pics) as soon as I have the time to do so.

greetingz,

[STEANSON]

Your pics are a great resource...thanks. I have considered "updating" my '90 with body parts and interior parts from a newer model...for instance my gauge console. One '97 console (w/all gauges)went on Ebay for $270.00 the other day. Is this a simple swap, or are there mods on things like this, and say the headlights and foglights (projector style)? Thanks.
--Stean

[bobterry99]

MBenz -- on removing those seats. I've located the three on the inside and three opposite these on the outside. But where are the extra two on the outside?

Thanks.

[bobterry99]

MBenz -- Say, what's that electronic unit sitting on top of the tranny tunnel just behind the glove box?

[bobterry99]

Figured it out...the unit on top of the tranny is the roll bar control module.

[MBenzNL]

STEANSON, changing the current dash cluster for a 1997 one is nearly impossible. The newer dash cluster have a kind of master function over the car and swapping clusters out of two identical cars leads to clusters only or entire cars that get out of control...

I presume that the projector lights you are talking about are the Xenon headlights? Swapping the headlights only is fairly easy. Adding the factory auto light-height adjusting feature (standard with OEM Xenon lights) is a lot of work (rear axle needs to be removed and the connector for the hand-held-tester needs to be changed).
The foglights are fairly easy to change, you only need to add an additional piece of wiring with two different connectors of which one will connect to the stock connector under the headlight and one will connect to the new style fog light. The older foglights come with a 20cm wire, the newer foglights don't have that wire anymore and need a complete different connector.

The front bumper is not easy to change; mercedes changed the front steel chassis beam behind the bumper (the newer ones are about 4-5cm thicker as the older ones) and therefore the bumper does not fit the older chassis (beam). The new bumper can be retrofitted anyway, but it needs some work and time.
The side panels are all changed (not only the front fender panels) and the difference between the newer and older panels becomes very visible after the new style front fender panels are mounted...in front of the old style door panels.

bobterry99, 2 bolts at the rear; one above the other. 1 bolt in front of the seat, 1 bolt under the seat near the rear and one bolt further to the middle under the seat (hardly accessible).

greetingz,

[bobterry99]

The middle bolt is easily accessible if the seat lower cushion is removed. On early models, simply remove the two large screws at the corners of the lower leading edge of the cushion and lift the cushion out! Later models may have a slightly different procedure.

[STEANSON]

MBenz:
Wow, thanks for the insight on the cluster....I had NO IDEA it was that significant to vehicle operation. Does that mean that NO year models can be swapped?? Or can say a 91-93 be used? The EBay guy wrote me to say he'll have more in soon. I was really looking forward to an updated look, but not at the expense of a psychotic car....
Thanks again for your many answers to my annoying questions...
--S.

[elau]

MBenz,
Is it the timing chain that I am seeing in your first picture? I know this topic has been covered extensively, do you see any need to worry about the chain with 68K on the clock?

95 R129
98 W163

[MBenzNL]

Originally posted by STEANSON
I had NO IDEA it was that significant to vehicle operation. Does that mean that NO year models can be swapped?? Or can say a 91-93 be used?

If I remember correctly, the clusters of the R129 SL are changed in 1995 and therefore I think that the pre-95 clusters are interchangeable (but that won't give you the updated look).
We had a dash problem with an E220D a couple of months ago and tried to fit in the dash of another E220D, but the car had a lot of troubles just to keep going (flashing lights and faulty gauge readings)...

Originally posted by elau
I know this topic has been covered extensively, do you see any need to worry about the chain with 68K on the clock?

I renewed the timing chain as well because I don't want to risk any engine damage because of a worn timing chain. The timing chain was renewed at least once before...When the timing chain is renewed, there is a black part in the stainless chain that indicates that it has been renewed before...

greetingz,