Projects on my new, to me, 1973 280SEL 4.5

[jerhofer]

The first task today was installing the ECU. Before I could mount the bracket, I had to install the various electrical components on the side of the bracket. With that done, the bracket was installed and the ECU mounted.












Next up was installing the fuse rack. After mounting the rack to the firewall, I mounted the fuse holders and then did the wiring. The other components were then added. I did not install the fuses. After looking at the manual and receiving a reply from Tomguy, I knew that the fuses that had been used were not necessarily the correct ones. The owners manual says there was only one 25 amp fuse but there were three being used on my car. While the manual tells me what sizes of fuses should be used, it does not tell me physically where they go. If anyone can post a photo of the engine bay fuses, I would be appreciative. Since the fuses are color coded, I would know where the fuses should be.











I was ready to install the battery tray. My earlier wrapping of the exposed wiring harness now caused a problem as the new wrapping was too bulky to allow the battery tray to fit. I removed the convoluted tubing from the larger wiring harness and wrapped it with electrical tape. That did the trick and the tray was installed.






I was now getting close to finishing up the engine bay. In went the battery and the new windshield washer reservoir as well as the air cleaner.










I still have to re-install the auxiliary fan bracket, the hood pad and some detail work. Getting closer to having this part of the project finished.

[jerhofer]

Before and after.

[CTD]

That is some very nice detail work there! Makes that engine bay look great. What have you got planned next?

[jerhofer]

Originally Posted by CTD

That is some very nice detail work there! Makes that engine bay look great. What have you got planned next?

Thanks.

The trunk seal is toast. Before I wash the car, I will be replacing that seal. I intend to do some work in the trunk as well, both in cleaning it and addressing surface rust. Since it is all black, using the POR 15 there will work well.

I also have an exhaust system to install and new carpet for the interior. Plenty of work left to do.

[Tomguy]

Very nice progress! I thought you said you weren't doing concours-level?

[knapster]

Get some new tubing for your windshield washer resevoir

[jerhofer]

Originally Posted by Tomguy

Very nice progress! I thought you said you weren't doing concours-level?

I have never been one to keep cars for a long time. Back when I was heavily involved in Porsche club events our local club had a concours each spring. Most of the people who entered had had their cars for a long time and entered the same car each year. I usually had a different car every year. So, during the long northern Indiana winters, I used to take my 911 engine out, remove bumpers and whatever else I could, take the seats out and clean everything. One year I had points subtracted because I sent the factory stainless steel muffler out to be polished. But it sure looked good!!









As you can see, this was pre-lift days. My wife was the one who encouraged me to get a lift as she was always concerned about the car falling on me. All of this work was really pointless as we usually had an autocross or track event the week after the concours. So the car was soon dirty. Amazing what one will do to keep busy during winters. This all happened back in the eighties when I was much, much younger!!

[CTD]

Originally Posted by jerhofer

Thanks.

The trunk seal is toast. Before I wash the car, I will be replacing that seal. I intend to do some work in the trunk as well, both in cleaning it and addressing surface rust. Since it is all black, using the POR 15 there will work well.

I also have an exhaust system to install and new carpet for the interior. Plenty of work left to do.

That will keep you good and busy. Always good to replace the leaky seals. I've got a leaking rear window seal to replace on my Fintail that's been putting some water on the rear deck and in the trunk. Got the new gasket from the dealer, now I just need to have the windshield people come and install it.

[jerhofer]

While my main interest has been Porsche for many years, I like all cars. That made me wonder if I had some interesting Mercedes photos. I spent twenty-six months in Germany while in the Army back in the sixties. While I don't have any Mercedes photos from those days, I do have some from the trip my wife, our son and I took to Germany in 1985. We visited the Schlump car collection in Mulhouse, France. This is now the National French car museum but back then it was soon after the Schlump's fled to Switzerland and their textile employees discovered this car collection. It was, and still is, the best car museum I have ever visited. And that included the Mercedes and Porsche museums.

The main emphasis of the collection was Bugatti but there were some interesting Mercede's there as well.










These photos will give you some idea of the scope of the collection.

[jerhofer]

This is a photo of the 1986 190 2.3-16 that I bought back in the day. Notice the Euro headlights. We were both autocrossing and tracking the red 944 in the photo below while my wife was occasionally autocrossing a somewhat modified 924 at the same time. I also autocrossed the Mercedes a couple of times which led me to calling it a four door 944 as it had very neutral handling, much like a 944.

[Foreste2002]

I too am from Indiana. I found my low Hood 280se 111 Cabriolet in Martinsville years ago. I now live in AZ but I miss the green fields and frequently wish I was "back home" in Indiana. I do not miss the bitterly cold damp winters although I live at 5500 feet in AZ and we do get snow!

[jerhofer]

Originally Posted by Foreste2002

I too am from Indiana. I found my low Hood 280se 111 Cabriolet in Martinsville years ago. I now live in AZ but I miss the green fields and frequently wish I was "back home" in Indiana. I do not miss the bitterly cold damp winters although I live at 5500 feet in AZ and we do get snow!

Snow is the reason we now live in North Carolina. I am from southern Indiana while my wife is from northern Indiana. We met in the middle of the state at Ball State University 50 years ago this coming September. I robbed the cradle as she had just graduated from high school while I was a grizzled veteran of 21 after serving three years in the Army. Been together ever since!!

[jerhofer]

My love for German cars began with the '56 VW bug I had in Germany while in the Army. That's me in the driver's seat and my Army buddy Rick in the other photo.

[124Coupe]

Originally Posted by jerhofer

Next up was installing the fuse rack. After mounting the rack to the firewall, I mounted the fuse holders and then did the wiring. The other components were then added. I did not install the fuses. After looking at the manual and receiving a reply from Tomguy, I knew that the fuses that had been used were not necessarily the correct ones. The owners manual says there was only one 25 amp fuse but there were three being used on my car. While the manual tells me what sizes of fuses should be used, it does not tell me physically where they go. If anyone can post a photo of the engine bay fuses, I would be appreciative. Since the fuses are color coded, I would know where the fuses should be.

I just took this photo of mine.

From my notes, top to bottom, I have:

Radio (2A) and aerial (8A)
AC (16A) and auxiliary fan (16A)
Sunroof (25A) and heated rear window (16A)
Windows (16A) and Windows (16A)

Hope this helps!

[berfinroy]

[QUOTE=jerhofer;3678487 I do miss having a tach.[/QUOTE]

The 6.3 tach fits perfectly, although the redline (5,400rpm) is lower than the redline for the 4.5 (5,800rpm). The tack, however, goes to 6,000rpm.
Relocate the clock to the lower dash.