1980 240 Sl?

[96E300D]

Hey Roc,
No offense at all! As I mentioned to you in a PM I had decided on another and I don't have time for another project car(I still have the head off my 96' E300D) Keep us informed on your progress. I saw another Euro car listed in CA that the owner said had to live in another state because of CA laws. Bummer.
Matt

[ctaylor738]

The smog test is going to be tricky, because as I understand it, you cannot alter the existing arrangement in any way. Which in your case probably means the way the car was Federalized. Most likely this was done with a catalytic converter, and an oxygen sensor connected to an aftermarket computer and frequency valve to trim the mixture. I think the car came stock with an EGR setup as well, so that would need to be there.

If I were you, I would find out a couple of things:

- what equipment is needed to even get in the game?

- what standards do you need to meet?

The CO and HC are pretty easy with a good cat and good injectors, but the NOx is a real problem. The EGR setup (probably inoperative now) will need to work perfectly to even come close to passing NOx. You do not want to get classified as a "gross polluter," that's for sure, because then you will get extra attention.

I live here is sunny no. ka. and have
a 280sl as well. Last smog inspection
sent me to a smog only center where
they run the car at 15mph & 25 mph.
The no. #ers was kinda high but still within
range to pass.

Just think in 9 years my car will be thirty
years old and exempt.

Nevertheless these cars are just wonderfull.

steve c. '84 280sl 5 speed stick. 186k.

[page62]

Originally Posted by steve c.

Just think in 9 years my car will be thirty
years old and exempt.

Sorry dude, no more rolling exemptions in Kalifornia. 1976 is the last year of exemptions -- forever.

[SatRoc]

Matt was right! Things under the hood weren't as they should be. Driving her home reminded me of driving a "bug" with 2-3 cyls! Once home, I found the vacumn advance was disconnected. Wouldn't have done much good, as the timing was set at 10 degrees AFTER TDC. Now this leads me to wonder what else her mechanic, and I do use that term loosely, screwed up. The oil pressure wire was not connected, the exhaust pipe had a leak. There's lots of work ahead; reinstalling the AC unit, reinstalling the cruise control, going through the braking system, etc. I plan to ulimately get it to CA smog legal requirements, but in the interim I'll keep it registered at my address in the state of Washington, where it's presently registered.

[96E300D]

Well at least you have lots of room in that car. After looking at a few 560's I think I'd choose a 280 to work on(and I'd rather not work on anything for a while). That's why I'm still looking....
Matt