buying 1976 280 CE

[Jerry Hudson]

I am thinking of buying a 76 280 CE from a local clasic car dealer. The car shows 34,000 ( I am assuming actual miles to be 134,000). The car is very clean in and out and it drives good for a 30 year old car, other that the AC doesn't work ( there is no belt on the compressor). What kind of problems should I look out for. Is the timming chain an issue and how big of a problem is the air conditioner on these cars.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[alabbasi]

Is this the W114 280CE or the W123 280CE? If the W114 check for rust, even if it does have 34k miles it still can rust. Check the floor the sills, under the rear seat, inner wings, trunk floor and anything else. Also check the heater fan, if that fan is broken you have to dis-assemble the car to get to it.

[Jerry Hudson]

It must be a W114, I believe it is the last year of that model. I haven't pulled the back seat or carpets but there was no visible signes of rust. Are you ararw of any known engine problems? Are these pretty good cars? Thanks for any info

[alabbasi]

Jerry, I am not sure where you live, but when I was looking at these cars back in 93, I was told to stick with the 250CE as the 280 twin cam engine had a thin spray bar that caused oil starvation and led to the camshaft to wear out. You see this problem often on the ford pinto engine.

If your camshafts are in good shape, then I wont worry about it, just make sure you keep the oil changes up. People in England never change oil. If you are in the US , then the oil has probably been changed every 3000 miles. Those are excellent cars, congratulaions.

[Jerry Hudson]

Thanks for the info. The engine seems to run great (smooth without a lumpy idle ) which should indicate that the cam's are ok. I have heard that these cars are prone to oil leaks, but what 30 year old car doesnt leak... We may be backing away from this car because I found some rust in the trunk and around the back seat... Thanks.