Just a little week after buying a 73 450SLC at an estate auction a 77 450SL finds its way on my lot as a trade in. 160,000 miles. I was intrigued to see the higher mileage since it made it seem more honest. No rust anywhere, Nice interior. Good original paint that I imagine will really pop with a clay bar. Stops and steers really tight. Seems to be retaining all of its fluids.

Now comes the bad: Runs rough at idle and has serious hesitation while accelerating. When I can finally get the old lady to clear her throat she sings.

First I plan check vacuum lines. I'm guessing the most likely problem is clogged injectors.

I figured it was worth a quick $1500 on craigslist as a project, but if I can get it running well and detailed, maybe twice that? I'll update with some photos later.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Is that a D-jetronic aka analog computer fuel injection?

K jet...

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Color? Soft top condition?

Cool! Some pic's would be nice. By the way. Got any pic's of that Town Car?

- Peter

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

White on blue with a blue soft top. I was told it was in good shape but I haven't seen it yet.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

I'm still driving the town car... Wonderful machine.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

I have a spare SDL drivetrain. I keep wondering about a diesel powered SL...
The 380 SL only had 155 hp so the 148 hp diesel would be similar. Wonder how much longer the m603 is vs the gas six they used in the 280SL.

Got a few photos...

If anyone wants it they are welcome to it for $1500. Engine pulls like a train at WOT and shifts are perfect. Rust free body. All original paint in nice shape. Hand painted 2 tone blue pin stripe. Nice interior. Dash is cracked. A few dings. Hard top looks to have been scratched while being stored. Soft top I'm told is like new, but I need to investigate that to verify.

If I get around to messing with it and get it running well the price will go up.

Attached Thumbnails

   

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Ah man so tempting....if only you were closer...

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

This. I think my wife would divorce me if I brought home another stray

The '77 was one of the better 450SLs. Still had the old manual slider HVAC. As you say, could be vacuum or an injector. Also gummy or binding plate on the K-jet or gummy fuel distributor. Post over on the SL forum or at the one at the other place (where there's more action) and someone will have some ideas.

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

Probably the Fuel Distributor, you can swap the one over from your 500sl and see if it runs better.

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With best regards

Al

ORLY?

Funny! 1970s American cars - damning review: Jeremy Clarkson's Motorworld - BBC autos - YouTube

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Ditto. I have a 617 ready to go

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$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment