72 108 Battery - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mamali · #1 08-01-2006, 09:37 AM

Hi need a Battery for a 1972 280SE. Not sure what kind to buy. Looked at a few part stores books and they do not go back that far. Any help suggestions? Thanks

300SDog · #2 08-01-2006, 10:40 AM

I like diesel batteries designed to kick over 22:1 high compression, hard starting engines. Thats the biggest one on the Walmart shelf that generally cost about $30 more then normal batteries. You can never have too much battery as long as it fits the tray. But there's nothing worst than one rated at minimum power capacity for the vehicle. And I believe the ballsiest battery you can buy will reduce stress on relays and electric components, sustaining a more consistant current and minimally taxing the alternator even with all electics turned on - A/C, radio, headlights, etc. It will wake up a sleepy slow starter motor too and spin the engine like you wouldnt believe from stonecold start.

(edit: Just my opinion, but last thing in the world you want is a puny battery. And you'll be proud to look at a massive gorilla battery everytime you pull the hood, instead of being ashamed to see a battery tray thats half empty.

autozen · #3 08-01-2006, 10:55 AM

One caveat. Be sure to buy a battery with the posts in the proper place and with a profile to fit the car. If you don't you will burn a nice hole in the hood. Since it is a 72, you probably have a 4.5 though you could have a six. If it's 4.5, I believe the standard MB diesel battery will fit in the tray.

Tomguy · #4 08-01-2006, 10:58 AM

I believe size 49 fits in the 6 cyls as well as the V8 trays, and is a very large one capable of turning over my high-compression 4.5 very easily. Measure your tray if it's a 6-cyl and let us know.

mamali · #5 08-01-2006, 11:02 AM

My apologies it is 280SE 6 Cylinder. I have a diesel Battery in it now but is too big for the tray. in fact the person that installed the battery tossed the battery hold down and windshield washer bottle!!! Now I have to hunt for those as well.

Gregg Bambo Jr. · #6 08-02-2006, 06:03 PM

Move the battery to the trunk and then you won't be size limited and can use any battery that you want. It not only is a simple task but cleans up spce in your engine compartment allowing easier access to components. See the set up in my signature site.

Tomguy · #7 08-02-2006, 06:27 PM

If I didn't have the space in my tray, I would definetly agree with Gregg. In fact, I might just do it anyway when I restore Quicksilver so I can change the plugs without pulling the battery. Not like there's anything else that would go in my left wheelwell! It's not as difficult as it sounds, from what I understand. Then you can use a size 49 and not have to ever worry about enough CCAs!

autozen · #8 08-02-2006, 08:18 PM

The whole idea of running cable to the trunk seems crazy to me. He has a 6, but with the 4.5 you only need to adjust valves every 15k. When I was an apprentice at MB when the 4.5s were new, we just popped the battery out, set it on the floor, connected a set of jumper cables and bumped the engine over that way. Piece of cake.

Capecodder · #9 08-02-2006, 11:04 PM

My 71 280S is now sporting a Group 27 marine deep cycle battery from Interstate Batteries. 1000 MCA and 850 CCA is all the power I'll ever need and has enough reserve to work on things with the key on for a couple of hours and still start fine.
Note: this battery fits the tray perfectly but make sure you mount with the terminals towards the engine, (the positive will reposition just fine), but you'll need a new longer ground lead to reach the engine block
Hope this helps...

Tomguy · #10 08-02-2006, 11:22 PM

Capecodder: Hopefully not leaving the key in the "Run" position if you have the original ignition system with the car not running, unless you want to burn out your transistor box if the points are closed!

#11 08-03-2006, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by autozen

One caveat. Be sure to buy a battery with the posts in the proper place and with a profile to fit the car. If you don't you will burn a nice hole in the hood. Since it is a 72, you probably have a 4.5 though you could have a six. If it's 4.5, I believe the standard MB diesel battery will fit in the tray.

I saw a nice 1969 280SE cabriolet with a hole burned in the hood when the owner went to autozoo and bought the battery that the pimply faced kid told him would fit his car. Make sure you have a battery hold down(even a generic $5.00 piece), because if you stop in a hurry or have a accident, the battery will short out.

autozen · #12 08-03-2006, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capecodder

My 71 280S is now sporting a Group 27 marine deep cycle battery from Interstate Batteries. 1000 MCA and 850 CCA is all the power I'll ever need and has enough reserve to work on things with the key on for a couple of hours and still start fine.
Note: this battery fits the tray perfectly but make sure you mount with the terminals towards the engine, (the positive will reposition just fine), but you'll need a new longer ground lead to reach the engine block
Hope this helps...

That battery won't last as long as a car battery since it is the wrong application. Deep cycle batteries are designed to be discharged to almost dead and then recharged. The lifespan will be shortened with short cycling of the charge. You must have bought the battery from the same pimply faced kid that sold the battery to the guy with the cabriolet. Call Interstate and they will confirm my statements.

Mark DiSilvestro · #13 08-03-2006, 11:48 AM

They used to make a group 27 size CAR battery. That's what my Ponton took. It may still be availible from classic car sources. Otherwise, most any modern car battery should have enough capacity to work in a 6-cylinder Fintail or 108. Problem is the tray and hold-down. Unlike the W114/115 cars, which had diesel variants, the W108 tray isn't quite long enough to fit the big diesel battery. Also, most modern German type replacement batteries, such as group 41, 42, and 49, have recessed terminals. Those will work fine in the W114/115 cars, which used a base-mounted hold-down clip. Unfortunately, the original top-mounted frame-type battery hold-down in a Fintail or W108 will hit the battery cables with a recessed-terminal battery. If you can't find a group 27 car battery, a group 24 should work, but do measure the height to prevent a battery post possibly hitting the hood.

Happy Motoring, Mark

Capecodder · #14 08-03-2006, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomguy

Capecodder: Hopefully not leaving the key in the "Run" position if you have the original ignition system with the car not running, unless you want to burn out your transistor box if the points are closed!

No I'm an Interstate Battery Dealer as well, and this battery "starting" and "deep cycle" that i installed, also i have converted to a crane cams electronic unit ignition which shuts of coil current after 5 seconds of no crank signal...

autozen · #15 08-03-2006, 11:20 PM

I can't believe Interstate made you a dealer when you have absolutely no clue about batteries. I'm assuming you have some kind of shop, and the distributor in your area is hurting for business. I hope you are not advising customers about batteries.