Heckflosse - A tale of oxidation and woe

[fritzintn]

Hi boys and girls.

I recently obtained a collection of parts that should amass to a 1962 220S. Listed numerous times on eBay/Craigslist, the price eventually came down to $895. The usual disclaimers applied, but all in all the car was said to be solid.

The original motor had been replaced haphazardly with that of a later model, but it ran. And being unaccustomed to the manners of a 50 year old diesel - I can't say how well. But it didn't move. The right rear brake was seized and required disconnecting the line to get it upon the trailer.

The interior was destroyed and lay amongst other 'extra' parts engulfeding the cabin to the headliner. But No major visible rust to speak of - as it spent most of it's life in New Mexico before coming to rest outside Atlanta. Which is all that mattered.

We arrived back in Memphis in time to unload the car during a rare icing over. Rather than bring yet another vehicle into my buildings parking garage (where one (not five!) vehicles are allowed per owner) -it was offloaded onto the street where it's sat for the past two weeks.

I did a cursory cleaning of the car - but that only meant my condo got strewn with mercedes parts. So that's a bit of a wash.

So now it's time to get the car roadworthy. The first major project:

Brakes!

I left NAPA this evening with rebuild kits for all the wheel cylinders, plenty of brake cleaner, and DOT4. I had hoped to leave with replacement rubber brake lines, but closing time came long before the parts guy could navigate through the computer much less the catalogs. :sigh:

Anyone have a source for rubber lines? From searching I just learned the hard lines are metric and bubble flared. Not much more.

I disassembled the stuck right rear drum and found the shoe material worn down on the bottom but otherwise good, a whole lot of thick grease everywhere, and that the adjuster had seized so I couldn't just move them inboard more.

I removed and doused everything with brake cleaner. And after vice grips proved no match for the rust/grime on the adjuster screw - I let it sit in a bowl of PB Blaster.










Pictures:
Left for Atlanta as the snow began to fall in Memphis.


First sight


Yet another odd vehicle keeping it company at the shop in GA:



Back home. Too cold to work on it.



Cleaning up:



Brakes


Stuck bolt and good old PB Blaster




Once it rolls under it's own power (and stops!) - It will be time to take a more critical look at the exterior, play with POR15, and begin replacing seals.

[winecountryone]

Neat project!!
I first thought that other red car was a maserati quatraporte until I saw the next photo.I recall hearing of the bitter back in the 80's(I think) but don't recall what it used for an engine.Was it BMW?

[Squiggle Dog]

That one! That has the 240D engine conversion if I remember correctly. It was listed as rust-free, despite some rust through that I saw. It could be an interesting project. We would be interested in seeing your progress. I have a 1967 230S and a 1968 200D, both heckflossen.

[Maki]

Judgng from your question about rubber brake lines, you have an obvious need for an online parts dealer. This Web forum is sponsored by one (see "buy parts" at the top of the page).

[JiveTurkey]

PB Blaster saved my ass 908,624,502,865,082,465 times (by rough count) during my disassembly of Wilma. I didn't have to drill out a single bolt.

If Fastlane and Allparts don't have what you need, check www.adsitco.com as they have lots of parts to choose from, but their prices usually aren't as good as the guys who sponsor peachparts.

[WANT '71 280SEL]

I need to redo all the brakes on my 230S. Is it worth it to get rebuild kits for the wheel cylinders? I'm afraid that once they're taken apart, I'll find rusted, pitted components that obviously can't be mended by simply replacing seals.

Thanks,

David

[mak]

As someone on the forum mentioned the Rear drum brake parts are the same as for a 61 Buick being 15/16" size bores seals etc. I don't know if the interchange manual has a listing.
mak

[t walgamuth]

I'd be careful with using the buick parts unless I checked them very carefully first. I am pretty sure the correct seals are pretty readily available.

That Bitter is a rare bird. I believe it is bmw based. They may have built some that were opel based as well, IIRC.

I first thought of a Ferrari 400 with the bumper off.

[JMela]

I was going to guess Aston Martin Lagonda.

[JimFreeh]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I'd be careful with using the buick parts unless I checked them very carefully first. I am pretty sure the correct seals are pretty readily available.

That Bitter is a rare bird. I believe it is bmw based. They may have built some that were opel based as well, IIRC.

I first thought of a Ferrari 400 with the bumper off.

Opel Senator.

Jim

[tr1cky]

Originally Posted by JiveTurkey

PB Blaster saved my ass 908,624,502,865,082,465 times (by rough count) during my disassembly of Wilma. I didn't have to drill out a single bolt.

If Fastlane and Allparts don't have what you need, check www.adsitco.com as they have lots of parts to choose from, but their prices usually aren't as good as the guys who sponsor peachparts.

PB Blaster is amazing stuff.

[Necrosavant]

I think it has a 220d engine in it? i saw it on ebay and craigslist a few times, i offered the guy my 83 300cd for it