The 1974 280 saga continues.....

Hello to the group!

Got the new tires last weekend I left the steel wheels with the hubcaps!
Got a set of 4 Kelly ASR (ALL SEASON RADIALS) 195/75/14 White walls.
Boy, this sure did make a difference in the ride and most of the vibrations are gone. Paid 210.00 out the door with new stems, balance & disposal of the old tires. Still have some vibrations but will work them out, as they are most likely engine or transmission mounts. Still checking in to the rear differential swap to the lower gear. I have to compare the two units side by side before install. If it works out, I will install the 2.65 ratio from the current 3.69 ratio. Hopefully, this will reduce wear and tear on the engine, and increase fuel economy. I have estimated the fuel mileage at 16.5 Hwy. Seems kind of low but considering my average speed is 80mph I hope the gear change fixes this. I have about 500 miles on the Olde 280 and travel 75 miles a day, so fuel consumption is a BIG deal.
Regards,
Bryan

[73MB280SEL]

Howdy,

I sure do like the hubcaps. My car has alloy's (which I think are nice on a newer car), but I'd like to get a set of steel wheels and body matching hubcaps too. I keep wondering if the hubcaps will fit directly over the alloy bundt cake wheels.

I hit your site and the interior work you did was real nice. That is very unique to install modern seats into an older car. Some people may argue about originality, etc..., but I think one should enjoy and drive older cars.

BTW: How does the 114 drive? I may be in the market for a 115 body for daily useage. I'd be looking for a 220: Gas powered, moderately efficient, absolutely dead simple (with carb work/replacement). I also like the earlier pre '74 bumpers.

I was wondering how it rides and handles. I've driven 108, 116, and 123 bodied cars. The 108 is a great car, but not nearly as refined as the 116 in ride quality. The 123 I drove had seen better days, so I'm not sure that was a good representation of how well they can handle.

Just wondering....


Sholin

Hello Sholin,

The Ride is always improving with each part I replace. All the rubber parts on the suspension are dry rotted so I have the front and rear sub frame mounts to replace still along with the shocks front and rear. As for the ride it is very smooth as the bumps in the road are barely felt. Handling is very good, even surprising for a 4 Dr sedan of 1974 even by todays standards. It hugs the turns very well, even with the 75 series tires! Road noise seems to be the only draw back but I am curing most of that with sound deading insulation in the floor and doors. I can't really compare it to other models as this is my first, but as an every day driver, I drive this over my 95 GT Mustang rag top just for the smooth ride ! As for the seats, I have the originals and can bolt them in at any giving moment as I custom made an adapter brackets to bolt the seats to the original locations on the floor. And yes they are much more supportive and comfortable than the originals .
Regard,
Bryan

[MikeTangas]

The road noise might be due to your worn front sub-frame mounts. The local Tech, Franz, told me one of the symptoms of bad sub mounts was the transfer of road noise. After changing mine the ride is much quieter.

That's good news!
I plan on changing them in the next few weeks. First the front and then the back. I seen the post on how to change them and have ordered new shocks for both front and rear since I have to undo them anyhow. I will report on how the replacements affected the noise and ride.
Regards,
Bryan