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  #1  
Old 12-12-2004, 05:42 PM
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Location: Falls Church, VA
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280SE "Blue Whale" Washes up on Driveway

I just couldn't resist this one.

It is a 1978 280SE with 135K that was in the paper last weekend. I made a really lowball offer, which was initially declined. Then the PO found out that none of the charities take non-running cars, and I guess I had the only money on the table.

The car has a history of blow-by and related troubles. It had not run in over a year. However, our own DrDKW came over yesterday, and with a fully charged battery and some starter fluid, it fired right up. It had oil pressure for about ten minutes, then lost it. We were able to drive it and it seems to shift and start and all that stuff. It does have a lot of blow-by.

My original plan was to take all the injection components and use them on my 280C. But the car is nice enough to warrant fixing up and selling. It has almost new tires, brakes, battery, and alternator. Alloys are OK but not great. It's blue with rust in the usual places, a decent white leather interior, good wood, good dash, and a working Becker Mexico signal-seeking radio.

Obviously need to get to the bottom of the lack of oil pressure and see if I can do anything about the blow-by.

This is my first experience with a 116. Talk about room, and what a great ride!

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280SE "Blue Whale" Washes up on Driveway-pict0406_edited.jpg  
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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe
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  #2  
Old 12-12-2004, 07:35 PM
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thats a cool stable in the background, I sure would like to have a few of those in my yard...
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  #3  
Old 12-13-2004, 12:34 AM
wbain5280's Avatar
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Location: Northern Va.
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You're One Lucky Guy

Chuck, I just have to see that car. My mornings are free.
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Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.
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  #4  
Old 12-13-2004, 11:45 AM
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Location: Alexandria, Virginia
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It was much lees rusty than I expected and Va. emissions inspection is no longer required for a '78. It ran and drove very well, for an engine with no oil pressure and hopefully, that's just a faulty oil sender.

Happy Motoring, Mark
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  #5  
Old 12-13-2004, 01:54 PM
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it looks pretty clean, have fun
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  #6  
Old 12-13-2004, 02:56 PM
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Oil Pressure's Back!

Well, I just finished dropping the pan, cleaning out the sludge, and unclogging the screen in pump pickup. No mystery as to the missing oil pressure - the screen was solidly plugged, and about half the filter as well. I treated it to genuine Mercedes oil and air filters and fresh oil. It has about 20 psi at idle, and pegs at 1300 RPM.

The valves are still making some noise and I suspect some flat lobes.

Still has blow-by, but better with the oil change.

I took it for a drive, and it's really a pleasant car. Rather sedate - 2.8 L is not a lot of engine for a car that big.

Now I need to figure out what to do with it.
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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe
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  #7  
Old 12-13-2004, 08:57 PM
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116's are great

Hi from Australia welcome to the club. I love my 280sel. have fun
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  #8  
Old 12-13-2004, 11:30 PM
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Location: Alexandria, Virginia
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That 280SE could make a nice big, relatively safe car for someone's kid to learn on.

Happy Motoring, Mark
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  #9  
Old 12-15-2004, 11:48 AM
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gimme a low-tech 240D
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: central ky
Posts: 3,602
Kid's car?? That looks more like salesman's car to me. It reminds me of when I sold real estate back in 1991 with a 1974 280/8 - excellent condition with 150k on the clock.

That 116 will always be an impressive car. Nobody will believe it's more than 25 yrs old.

Just my opinion, but every kid's first car should be either a motorcycle or a ragtop hot rod. I think when parents choose safe lunkers for their kids, they kill the desire of boys and girls to really enjoy cars in general. Let the little bastards have a racing dune buggy with roll bar cage if that's what they want. And let them buy it themselves.
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  #10  
Old 12-15-2004, 01:30 PM
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Location: Alexandria, Virginia
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When I was a teenager, I was happy to have ANY car to drive. At least my slow, underpowered Ponton 180 was easy on the little gas I could afford with lawnmowing money.
Around here lately, too many kids have been killing themselves, mostly in small late-model 'fun' cars or the occasional top-heavy SUV. I think, when the kid is mature and independant enough to buy, maintain and insure their own car, then they can get a motorcycle or hotrod ragtop to rekindle their desires.

Perhaps my opinion is colored a bit, by the death of a high school classmate, who was killed two days before graduation, on the motorcycle his parents had given him as a graduation present!

Happy Motoring, Mark
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  #11  
Old 12-15-2004, 11:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ctaylor738
Well, I just finished dropping the pan, cleaning out the sludge, and unclogging the screen in pump pickup. No mystery as to the missing oil pressure - the screen was solidly plugged, and about half the filter as well. I treated it to genuine Mercedes oil and air filters and fresh oil. It has about 20 psi at idle, and pegs at 1300 RPM.

The valves are still making some noise and I suspect some flat lobes.

Still has blow-by, but better with the oil change.

I took it for a drive, and it's really a pleasant car. Rather sedate - 2.8 L is not a lot of engine for a car that big.

Now I need to figure out what to do with it.
Chuck, run some Amsoil engine cleaner through it so help clear out some of the gunk. I'll give you a call in a day or two. I really want to see the car.

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Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.
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