New user...

I am a newly registered user. I have read these boards from time to time because of my interest in Mercedes Benz. Previously I have owned a 1959 219 and a 1973 280 SEL (4.5)

Yesterday I purchased a 1982 380SL with 135,000 miles. It gets towed home tomorrow :-) From the terrible sounds the engine is making I assume one end of a connecting rod or the other is bad. More on that as details become available. I bought the car right and plan on making a winter project out of it. I live in the Cincinnati area

Other than introducing myself I would like ask if someone would be kind enough to tell me the numerical designation of the body and chassis of this car? Am I correct in assuming that the engine designation is 116?

I would imagine I will be dropping in from time to time and seeking advice or sympathy concerning my new toy.

Randy

[tjohn]

Welcome to the forum. I think you'll find that there are a lot of people who have a great deal of knowledge. When, as will inevitably happen, you have problems that you need technical answers to, just post in the "Tech Help" section. There are a number of MB mechanics who generously donate their time and will answer requests.

To answer your questions, your car has the R107 chasis and the M116 engine. The engine in your car originally came with an single timing chain instead of the much preferred double timing chain. If you aren't sure that the chain has been converted into a double, this needs to be checked ASAP, because if the chain goes, it ends up doing several thousand dollars of damage to the engine. You can find out more about this (and pretty much anything else) by using the search button.

Good Luck, and enjoy your car!

Congrats on your new project and trust that it will bring you much joy and not to much frustation. I also have a 1982 380SL that I purschase in Feb this year and have been working on it as time and money allows. Almost all my problems with it have been solved through this forum. Take care and enjoy the world of Mercedes.