108 280SE dead engine - help! - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

thorsen · #31 07-27-2009, 02:46 PM

Hey Mike, the heat actually sounds good. I was born and raised in the South and, even living in Chicago for close to a decade, I think this is the coolest summer I have ever experienced. It was 78 and windy Saturday, even cutting the grass and digging up a water line I wasn't sweating! It's nice, but on the other hand, it doesn't feel like summer!

Nik_the_barber · #32 07-27-2009, 08:32 PM

Thorsen, thanks for the offer but I don't think there is any way for me to get it to chicago. Right now the best thing everyone could do for me is help me find a good used or rebuilt engine. I have around 2,000 dollars to spend For the motor and to get it dropped in. I May ave found a locla mechanic to find out exactly what's wrong, And maybe if it's possible get mine rebuilt. But Please everyone keep there eye out, and I'm still looking for any help. Like I said I have money to pay. But It has to be in a payment agreement. I don't get all the money at one time, I'm drawing unemlployment. 513-889-8771 Any idea's where I can find one? Or anyone wan't to make some money?

thorsen · #33 07-27-2009, 09:04 PM

Looks like Brims Imports Auto USA-OH(Kenton) 1-800-221-3874 has two of them, $700.

Nik_the_barber · #34 12-08-2009, 12:20 PM

Hey update: I'm 7 months clean and now have the funds to finally get this car fixed, If anyone is willing to help please contact me 513-889-8771, I have found a motor thanks to the above poster for 700 bucks, but need someone to drop it in! I want my car running, i have a lot of issues in my life right now and I really need a car. But I'm proud to say I have been drug fre for 7 months!

Necrosavant · #35 12-08-2009, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimFreeh

With enough parts, ingenuity, and welding skill, you can swap anything.

M110 engines were never installed in a W108 chassis. They were both (M110 and M130) installed in a W114, implying that it is physically possible. But wiring, exhaust, motor mounts and cooling all need to be addressed as a minimum.

I'm afraid Nik is challenged enough with just replacing parts on what he now has.... Best to keep the M130 and stick with it.

Jim

m110 and m130 have same engine block pretty straight forward swap..got a 110.989 in my w108 280s

stimpy451 · #36 12-08-2009, 02:15 PM

Melty Panda, where do you live? I'm about 5.5 hours away from Hamilton, OH

meltedpanda · #37 12-08-2009, 07:51 PM

about the same, 5-6 hours

JeffreyNMemphis · #38 12-08-2009, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nik_the_barber;I have found a motor thanks to the above poster for 700 bucks, but need someone to drop it in[/B

!

Nik,

We all need help. We all have unlimited wants and scarce resources. We help each other here by sharing experience, information, and inspiration. Occassionally, we meet a friend who can lend a physical hand. We lend a hand because we got help when we needed it from someone else.

If you need someone to drop your engine in, you should pay someone who needs the job and will be grateful to earn a day's pay.

If you need help doing it yourself, that is something entirely different. If you are helping yourself, we could tell you how to swap engines, what tools you need, etc. Someone may even volunteer to lend a hand; it is a two man job. You might have an opportunity to repay that kindness when your buddy needs an extra hand.

I would not want to drive over and work for you, while you stand around watching me work. Are you volunteering your time to help people learn how to read or become computer literate? Are you giving of yourself in some unselfish way that would make you deserving of free labor?

None of the other members who come to this forum expect to get there car restored for free. We fix these cars ourselves because we can't pay the Mercedes Benz dealership to do it for us. There is a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that comes from doing a hard and dirty job. You can do it. If we can do it, you can do it.

There is a recipe for removing and re-installing an engine. I have the manual that takes you through the steps. Buy yourself a mechanics tool set at Sears and make a commitment to learn car repair, if you want to drive Classics. Or, get rich and pay a mechanic. But stop expecting someone to come over and drop your engine in!

Nik_the_barber · #39 12-08-2009, 11:21 PM

I don't recall asking anyone to do it for free, I said I have the funds to pay for it. I'm talking to a local mechanic now and they have a use I'm asking for help by paying someone who knows what they are doing to drop it in for a reasonable price.

Thank you.

meltedpanda · #40 12-09-2009, 09:26 PM

that is good nik, and glad you are well, pretty straight forward engine swap, any mechanic worth his salt should have no issues, as long as they are familiar with "the old stuff" Getting her running will be fun for you to learn, just make sure you can watch the engine swap being done, it will help you in the long run

junqueyardjim · #41 12-10-2009, 10:39 AM

And above all we all hope and pray that you get your health and addiction problems behind you. And if you really want and need to get this W108 running and you have a mechanic that will work your kind of deal, that is great also. But I really wonder Nik if that is the right car for you. You can put another engine in and then you have to spend some time with it to find out if it was worth putting in. It's hard to check them out when they are on a pallet. It has the very old mechanical fuel injection on it. so what happens if they install the engine but can't get it to run, or run right. Then you should consider also that the cooling system could be warn out, and a transmission that could leave you stranded at any time. These are just some of the variables you must consider. You are putting in a used engine now with no assurance it is any good, and that will probably cost you close to what the vehicle is worth. If the vehicle has much rust, you will have spent much more then it is worth. You have to remember it is close to a 40 year old import luxury car that needs major work and who knows what else. It is not the type of vehicle recommended as a daily driver for someone who does not have the talent nor the great desire to keep this car on the road nor the ready flow of funds to pay some one else to do it. It is not a good car as a daily driver and you will get sick of it.
I just checked on Craigs List for Cincinnati, and I see cars for sale there that would fit you much better then that 280 SE. There are a number of W123 and W124 gas and diesel for little more and some way less then what you are looking at on that engine. Here is the listing.

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/search/cta?query=Mercedes+Benz&catAbbreviation=cta&minAsk=min&maxAsk=max

I think if you would spend some time on this list and see how much cash money to can accumulate, you might be surprised how well you can do. It's Christmas time. If they have a car listed they want to sell it. If they want $2000.00, offer them $1100.00 cash and you will have a deal. If you really need help determening if it is a good used Mercedes, send me a PM and we will discuss it. I am not that far away that I could not come down and check it out for you if you really need help. Then sell your current W#108 for a parts car and get rid of a headache and heartburn.

JeffreyNMemphis · #42 12-10-2009, 12:02 PM

Well said JunqueyardJim...

Nik,

I have been tough on you, because I think you need someone to shoot straight with you. There are enough people in your life willing to enable you.

I bought my first Mercedes W108 when I was your age for $3500.00. I collected receipts as I poured money into the car of my dreams. Everything was expensive to get repaired. At the time, my mechanic skills were limited and I was intimidated by the complexity (rightly so). I loved the car. I was irrational and emotionally attached. There was no Internet access or forums like this in 1986. The engine needed major work and when I found out what it cost to fix I was already $8,500 deep in the car. I could not spend $5,000.00 more for a proper engine rebuild that would guarantee the many happy miles I wanted. With a broken heart I sold my Mercedes Benz for $3,500.00 so I could buy dependable transportation.

$700.00 sounds fantastic for an engine. There are no guarantees though. An engine that has been sitting can have many problems. It may be a good idea to rebuild it before you install it. What I mean by rebuild is: Separate the head from the block, make sure the pistons and rings are within specification, the rods are not bent, the bearings are not worn, the timing chain is not stretched out, the valve guides are not worn, the guide rails are in good condition. When you know all of the wear components are good, re-assemble with proper rebuilding lubrication and install new seals and gaskets so you don't have oil leaks. This is a vague and general description not designed to be instructions, but just to give you a general idea. It would be terrible to install a new engine and have that one blow up like the original one.

I feel hopeful about your progress on getting clean and recovering. Restoring a car has many life lessons, anecdotes and metaphors in common with recovery from addiction. Some think that addiction is hopeless, the way some look at an old car and think it could never be repaired/restored. Saving a car from the salvage graveyard is hard dirty work that takes time, patience, openmindedness, willingness and surrender. Surrender? Yes, sometimes we have to stop what we are doing when our approach to a problem is not working and ask for help from someone who has more experience or a different perspective. This forum is a power greater than me (second step) that can restore me to sanity when I feel like pulling my hair out because I am stuck trying to fix a problem and my way is not working.

The Mercedes you purchased could be repaired and driven. Like recovery, it is not going to happen as fast as you would like. Successful recovery requires the willingness to do whatever it takes to recover, even stuff we don't want to do. If you are willing to learn and get your hands dirty and occasionally bloody, there is nothing on your Mercedes Benz that can't be repaired, restored or preserved. That W108 could return to the road and be useful, productive, dependable and a source of pride that will get thumbs up from strangers. The choices we make will affect the outcome.

Peace and Joy I wish for you!

Jeffrey

meltedpanda · #43 12-10-2009, 05:47 PM

Once again Jeff, well said!

have mercy · #44 12-10-2009, 07:39 PM

For a somone looking for somthing, That will give you a sence pride in what you have done.There is nothing like working on your own car. No one can take that from you.
Taking an old car and bringing it back to life. Is one of my most fun things to do. On the engine swap, look around for a car with a good engine. Buy that car, get a book, remove engine, trasplant in your car.Have extra traine/body part's.

Mike D · #45 12-11-2009, 11:01 AM

Parting out '77 280se