Pulled the trigger on a 1974 450 SL today! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

LUVMBDiesels · #1 04-22-2013, 05:14 PM

Well I am not Benzless any longer. I pulled the trigger on a rust free 1974 450SL.
I am very exicited about getting her home and doing the work that needs to be done on her.
I am also very excited about pulling her top off and driving her all Summer.
Pictures will follow when I get them off my camera.
Will I have to change my user name from LUVMBDiesels to LUVMYSL now?

Joe

suginami · #2 04-22-2013, 06:19 PM

Can't wait to see pics!

mgburg · #3 04-22-2013, 09:00 PM

Now, you're Benzfull!

At least, you can enjoy a whole new, different level of pain....er, fun!!!

Welcome to the wonderful world of the 107s!!!

LUVMBDiesels · #4 04-22-2013, 10:08 PM

Good and bad...
The good is she is rust free and solid
Dash is not cracked and she has manual A/C
She has the original steel wheels and hubcaps.

The bad is that the PO hit a mailbox with it and damaged the front right fender and the right door. The good is that he gave me a replacement fender and door.
There are three nice chrome wire rims but the fourth got bent in the same accident. Lucky for me the bumpers and lights are OK.

How hard is it to pull a fender from a 107? The door seems easy but heavy!

He also threw in a couple boxes of parts... I have an entire spare instrument cluster, which might be up for grabs...
Pix should be up to tomorrow

rowdie · #5 04-23-2013, 07:52 AM

All along the top where it bolts to the inner fender it is glued. You will need heat to remove it. Normally a heat gun but since it is damaged you can use a propane torch. Since you are removing the door also the 3 attaching bolts at the rear should not be a problem. Need to remove the door card, mark the vac and electric connections and remove them. The pin on the door stop arm has a clip on the top. The pin is driven out from the top and can be stubborn.

LUVMBDiesels · #6 04-23-2013, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rowdie

All along the top where it bolts to the inner fender it is glued. You will need heat to remove it. Normally a heat gun but since it is damaged you can use a propane torch. Since you are removing the door also the 3 attaching bolts at the rear should not be a problem. Need to remove the door card, mark the vac and electric connections and remove them. The pin on the door stop arm has a clip on the top. The pin is driven out from the top and can be stubborn.

Thank you very much! The "new" door has had its lines cut so I will have to transfer the old ones. I did not know about the glue on the fender. What should I use when putting the new on on? Is there a preferred glue or sealer that I will need to buy?

mach4 · #7 04-23-2013, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUVMBDiesels

Well I am not Benzless any longer. I pulled the trigger on a rust free 1974 450SL...

Will I have to change my user name from LUVMBDiesels to LUVMYSL now?

No, not necessarily. You could always "fix" the SL

That's what I did - 380SL Diesel Swap Project Web Site

Best of both worlds!

meltedpanda · #8 04-23-2013, 10:48 AM

Welcome to the land of SL's
there is a special putty found at most part stores used for body panels . Seam sealer of some sore. THe door is easy to open and repiar lines. getting it off is tricky , pay close attention to the door hinges and orientation and little "bits" Have two people at least, they are heavy
Had mine out this weekend, topless, - sweet.

Mine is for sale , but this time of year, I am not really sad that I have no lookers!

LUVMBDiesels · #9 04-23-2013, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mach4

No, not necessarily. You could always "fix" the SL

That's what I did - 380SL Diesel Swap Project Web Site

Best of both worlds!

I love this idea! If I ever have a chain break on the V8 I will put a 617 in it. Too bad I no longer have the one I pulled from my 300SD.
I wonder if the 603 would fit in there as well... it would be nice to have an I6 turbo diesel in there...
Did you also reuse the 4sp auto from the Diesel or did you keep the SL transmission? I am really digging this swap... What kind of MPG are you getting with the 617? I have not a Mercedes V8 before and I might want to enjoy that for a while

mach4 · #10 04-23-2013, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUVMBDiesels

I love this idea! If I ever have a chain break on the V8 I will put a 617 in it. Too bad I no longer have the one I pulled from my 300SD.
I wonder if the 603 would fit in there as well... it would be nice to have an I6 turbo diesel in there...
Did you also reuse the 4sp auto from the Diesel or did you keep the SL transmission? I am really digging this swap... What kind of MPG are you getting with the 617? I have not a Mercedes V8 before and I might want to enjoy that for a while

A 603 will fit - I know someone who has done it, but it's an engineering and fabrication nightmare. The 617 by comparaison is a "bolt in". I get 29.5mpg overall. Planning a road trip soon so il be able to report out highway mileage. The 380's transmission won't bolt to the 617 so you need to use the one from the donor car... or swap in a 4 speed.

Here's the detailed swap thread - 380SL Diesel Conversion Project

LUVMBDiesels · #11 04-23-2013, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meltedpanda

Welcome to the land of SL's
there is a special putty found at most part stores used for body panels . Seam sealer of some sore. THe door is easy to open and repiar lines. getting it off is tricky , pay close attention to the door hinges and orientation and little "bits" Have two people at least, they are heavy
Had mine out this weekend, topless, - sweet.

Mine is for sale , but this time of year, I am not really sad that I have no lookers!

Thanks for the tip about the putty. I have done doors on a Ford Escort and on the Buick GS convertible I used to have. I have lifted the spare door for the SL and I estimate it at 100 pounds. I will have help for the door swap. I did the escort door by myself and it was a total PITA, holding the door up with my shoulder through the window opening while trying to get the bolts lined up! With convertibles you do not have that option.I am thinking of putting it on my floor jack to lift the door and then have somebody help guide it into position.

Are there any special tips to get the door panel off? The replacement is blue and the original is black.

Thanks for all the help guys! I knew this forum was the right place to be...

LUVMBDiesels · #12 04-23-2013, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mach4

A 603 will fit - I know someone who has done it, but it's an engineering and fabrication nightmare. The 617 by comparaison is a "bolt in". I get 29.5mpg overall. Planning a road trip soon so il be able to report out highway mileage. The 380's transmission won't bolt to the 617 so you need to use the one from the donor car... or swap in a 4 speed.

Here's the detailed swap thread - 380SL Diesel Conversion Project

I am into page 7 of your thread. AWESOME JOB!