Lucas-
Did you decide to sell your vehicle?
https://santabarbara.craigslist.org/cto/4834251387.html

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1968 220D, w115, /8, OM615, Automatic transmission.
My 1987 300TD wagon was sold and my 2003 W210 E320 wagon was totaled (sheds tear).

I put up an add to see what would happen. There was a moment of panic where I thought I was moving. But things settled down.

I will always sell it for the right price. But I just finished the brakes and starting the head. So the price is going up. Lol.

I was just gonna hit you up. I might be getting a car trailer this weekend to pick up a truck in LA. But may have the energy left on Sunday.

Alright tapatalk is finally working, right in time. I work in agriculture and get paid once a year (I work on commission only). I cut it close to the wire financially but finally back rolling on the benz.

I've figured out the secret. Replace everything rubber. I rebuilt my back calipers but bought replacements for the front. More good news from oreillys, there rebuilds are galvanized coating. Like boshe. I cut the rotors, checked the bearings with machinist blue and regressed. New seal and back together.





As my high school auto shop teacher always said, make sure you lube the shaft



Prepping my new differential while my axles are in getting rebuilt.

The output seals were leaking. And it's easy why you are in there. I saw a lot of people complain on getting it out. I just pulled the whole assembly.

Pound on it with a seal driver from the backside and it pops right out. There is a rubber o-ring on that assembly. I ordered that as well.

There are two different type seals, one is 85mm OD and one is 65mm OD. Just order both and send one back. No one seems to have this right.


The key to making the seals and cover last is cleaning the breather. I pulled it off, sprayed carb cleaner down inside. Soak. Blow it out. Soak. Repeat. Until you feel good about yourself.

Replacing the rear brake lines and flushing out one caliper. And I'm gonna be styling.

FYI, it takes an eternity to get a head rebuilt when you goto the machinist that all the shops use.

Ok well the excitement is over and I have updated my thread.

I can say I learned a lot. I needed something to do at the time, so I don't mind all the work I put in. But economically speaking, it wasn't worth it. I got a lot of return off my old motor bits in eBay, so that's not bad.

So what have we done. I got that diff all spruced up and painted. It was cool to put in. You need three jacks and four arms, but it's not bad. My cv's were in question, so i had them rebuilt locally. The guys do good work, and they came back all pretty and new looking.

I had to take a drive to get the diff mount to settle in. At first I thought I had something wrong. A little positive camber but probably just me overthinking it. Looks great now.

The strangest part, my donor was a 79 240D, and I had to turn the mount around to fit my car.



I'm a big fan of copper sealer. A little Toyota black rtv and it will be leak free for a long time.



So next my head came back. All new guides, a three angle grind, and new seals. It was flat, but they ran it through to clean up the gasket material. For the block side I actually used black type sand paper. For steel you use 80 grit I believe. Stapled it down to a board and even long strokes. Cleans it up and handles and imperfections.






Lots of painting and cleaning on the motor. I went all out. A kid on here did a 617 and painted his valve cover black. I loved the look. I used a high temp engine enamel, and a high temp engine clear coat. Man it looks nice. But a lot of time and work to properly clean, disassemble, and paint everything.







Did I mention the brakes before? Was I that deep yet? All new master, calipers, rubber lines, pads and clean cut rotors. I have one more cut left. These rotors may outlive me in this high performance automobile though. I did the clutch as well, master slave and rubber lines. Had to do the salve twice due to my fork problem. Don't want any funny business.



I went through and checked valve timing. IP timing. And it's all wonderful. Someone put a chain and guides in previously. Thanks grandma, for keeping up on your car. And u feel dumb, but this head was fine. It was just the gasket causing compression and loss. It was old, and we jerked it around by the head a lot. As well, gets the rings to PPP after sitting probably had an effect.


First drive was great. I love the diff. I don't notice acceleration loss, but I also did a lot of motor work. I'm going down the freeway at 70 when a cop drives up next to me. He looks baffled, and gives me a thumbs up. He's probably never seen one go so quick. It's perfect. With very little engine braking when you let off the throttle.

So yeah, I have a Mercedes ready for another 45 years of service. It could use a little body work. Pretty rust free except the front floors. It could be fixed, but I'm the type to go 200%. I was so fortunate to pick up another chassis from a forum member. I was thinking I would take an auto body class and have access to a booth. And help.

This chassis is a little better, and it will be so nice to blast/sand every inch and get fresh paint. Do the interior. And of course the window and door seals. Make it look like it just drove off the showroom floor.

Still have time to decide which route. At minimum I'll use the drivers door. As mine has a slight dent. Here's the other. A 73 280. It actually has a good gas motor in it. I can probably strip it to bits and bring it $2k on eBay. But if you need it, let me know.



I was really selective with my work with the plan of dropping my subframe and putting it in this chassis once completed. I haven't done the subframe mounts basically. Lol. But hey as long as I feel good about it.

But alas, I want a high performance 606 and airbags. A 108 is the best option for bags, and I like them a little more. I started with not enough research. I kind of new this, but I wasn't ready for a swap, and found a good original motor. Also this tranny is pretty fresh.

I had a little hang up with the trow out fork. And had to go in there again. I guess I didn't get it clipped on the opposite side from the slave. While in there, I put a new bearing in. When in Rome. Just bolting up the driveline today.

So this is where my project stands for now. Work is picking up, no time for it. Honestly, it's not the perfect car for me, and if I find the right buyer, she is going up for sale. If anyone is rude 5!3 price will go up on them. I want someone that appreciates her like I did. The perfect fit would be a Body man, or someone that wants I take an auto body class I did. Or just patch the floor and shoot it with paint. One things for sure, it's mechanically sound. I'm thinking the second chassis is free with the car. If a buyer doesn't take it, it's free to the forum.

Thank you all for all the help. I'm a Mercedes fanatic for life now. Time to regroup, and plan a more serious build.

Please excuse typos. My phone is acting up.

I wanted to comment on the diff install.
My w115 1971 220D had a 3.92 diff (of course) with the old diff mount which was half way torn and is unavailable new. Back cover can be replaced and installed with new mount or alternately - I went and got a 3.69 diff off a w123 1982 240D, put in new input and output seals on it, painted it and upon installation, HAD TO TURN THE MOUNT 180 degrees! so now that makes two of us
I later looked at my w123 1983 300DT and the mount is installed just like on the one I got from w123 240D. It also matched the W123 FSM pictures, so having to turn it 180 is normal.

How much did you panic before you flipped it!

How do you like the gearing. I feel I understand more about the optimum gearing for the engine power. But I like the lower rpms. I would say its worth it.

You kids are crazy for purposely slowing down the acceleration of a 220D!

__________________
1968 220D, w115, /8, OM615, Automatic transmission.
My 1987 300TD wagon was sold and my 2003 W210 E320 wagon was totaled (sheds tear).

Amazing amount of work there. Bravo.

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63 220S W111
76 300D W115
2013 VW JSW TDI M6

previously-
73 280 SEL 4.5
86 300E 5 speed
2010 VW Jetta TDI M6

I know you got a 3.69 in storage. You can't deny it. Come over to the dark side.

There's a manual tranny at steel head in goleta with low miles. In a white 79 240D. Its the one missing the diff.

Thanks. It was at a point where I needed to make progress on something. I have this other chassis. But Ive been enjoying driving it too much. I delivered pizza in it one day. Problem was every car guy wanted to check it out. Took me 10 min per stop.