I need to do A Valve Job to my 300E. I'm going to take the Head off Myself. Does any one know of somewhere I can send it to get done? I don't want to take it to any old shop I want it done right.Can I get any performance mods done at this time such as polishing the head? Is there anything else I should change at the same time besides the gaskets? I live in the mero detroit area if that helps.

I have purchased a 1986 300E with a 5 speed that is also in need of a valve job. My mechanic said the price for him to do seals and guides would be $400-600. If the cam is bad, (which is common with the early 3L), then the price could go to $1000-1200. There is an updated cam which means chaning lifters and maybe rockers. I suppose the usual timing chain, water pump and belts would be advised if these haven't been done before since they all have to come off.

Dave, I have heard that the 5 speed is quite rare. I am interested in the number produced. Would you know the figure?

Thanks For the help. I know the 5 speed is rare but dont know how many there are if you do find out could you let me know I've always been interested. Your the first one I've heard of that has another one even on this board.

You need to simply find the best auto/machine shop in your area that has lots of experience with rebuilding heads. Make that your criteria. Most "good" shops can do porting and polishing. This should give you that something extra your looking for.

Re: 300E/5sp. There are quite a few people on this site who own them. One example is JCE. He's done several postings. Do a search on JCE for more info on 300E/5sps.

Good luck with the valve job!

According to the guy I bought it from (first owner) in 1986 only four 300E manuals were sold in NJ. Not a business success for MB as the yuppies can only drive automatic. My car has 190K miles, about 50% heavy city driving (parked on the street) and I've just came back from Montreal (about 32m x gl)in about 6 1/2 hours (to NYC area). The thing is fast and you have to be careful: 3rd gear goes to about 80 with no vibration at all. I have an excellent mechanic in Montreal where I leave the car for maintenance and repairs and use the metro system. The guy is a doctor when it comes to MB's. My wife drives it through hellish NJ traffic and loves it. In many ways it is like a very fast truck, a very fast one indeed.

By the way Larry Bible in TX has one and has taken it apart a number of times. It seems that he likes it.

Regards,

Juan

Cylinderhead Exchange
 

Brother of The Benz, Dave
Sorry I didn't read your thread sooner and sorry your child needs head work.
Adsit Company, Inc. @ 1-800-521-7656 offers cylinderheads for the 300E at $895.00 exchange with a $500.00 core charge pending the return and rebuildable condition of your exchanged cylinderhead.
Good luck with what ever method you chose, but this sounds very good to me and should the time occur this is my route.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from The Spiderman in Houston!!!

I would not take the head to just any GOOD machine shop. Find one who has done a number of these and are familiar with the breed. If you can't find one, I know a very reliable and THOROUGH, small one man shop in Dallas you could ship it to. He's not fast, and he's not cheap, but he is honest, reliable and GOOD.

You may already know all this, but the 300E with 5 speed was brought to the US only in '86, '87 and '88. The best I have been able to determine, I expect that there are less than 500 in the US and probably less than 300. A team of wild horses couldn't drag mine away from me.

Have a great day,

There is a guy who advertises rebuilt 300E heads on e-Bay from time to time for $500. Claims all new MB components.

Thank you Larry. I agree with you that one should have their valve job done ONLY by a shop that has extensive experience with MB heads. Nothing would scare me away quicker than to hear someone from a shop say "No, we've never done a Mercedes head....but all heads are the same anyway!"

Re: 300E/5spd. Wish I had one. Mine's an 1987 300E auto. Is it cost effective to drop an manual 5spd. in?? Don't laugh too loudly! Just curious. Perhaps it might be better to simply look for a real one.

Thanks for your words!