Is a ponton in my future? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

daw_two · #16 04-02-2010, 08:43 AM

Okay, vintage folks, please help me out a little bit here. I found a running\driveable 1967 (well, maybe 1968) Mercedes with an inline 6 and an automatic transmission. I'm not certain yet if the model is a w111 or w115 or w108. I think it is a w108.

Would the engine fit into the 1959 ponton 220s (see Post #1) "easily"?

I know a few of you have replied privately to this question; however, public information might do our forum more good. Does anyone have first hand experience with this swap?

JeffreyNMemphis · #17 04-02-2010, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daw_two

The 3 pics below represent the ponton in question. I found a running\driveable 1967 (well, maybe 1968) Mercedes with an inline 6 and an automatic transmission. I'm not certain yet if the model is a w111 or w115 or w108.

Where are the pictures?

daw_two · #18 04-02-2010, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffreyNMemphis

Where are the pictures?

In post #1....duh....I'll revise my post.

sokoloff · #19 04-02-2010, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daw_two

Okay, vintage folks, please help me out a little bit here. I found a running\driveable 1967 (well, maybe 1968) Mercedes with an inline 6 and an automatic transmission. I'm not certain yet if the model is a w111 or w115 or w108. I think it is a w108.

Would the engine fit into the 1959 ponton 220s (see Post #1) "easily"?

I know a few of you have replied privately to this question; however, public information might do our forum more good. Does anyone have first hand experience with this swap?

No experience but doing something like this typically limits its resale value a lot, not as much as throwing a Chevy in there, but still... I know there are some correct engines available via our ponton guys.

daw_two · #20 04-02-2010, 10:36 PM

I have found a couple of viable donors.

JeffreyNMemphis · #21 04-03-2010, 10:55 AM

I hate to be the cold water of reality... But, here goes!

It would be much cheaper, (and you will probably end up with a better finished product) to buy an original car that is complete and working. You will still have plenty of maintenance, preservation and restoration projects to do.

What you are proposing is building a car from scratch. Getting a different engine and fabricatiing to make it work is difficult. You may get the car running and driving, but it will never be worth the same or near the amount of an original numbers matching car. The interior is going to be expensive to restore. All of the rubber gaskets have to be replaced or you will have leaking windshield, trunk etc. The bushings in the suspension will need to be replaced.

You can easily put $10,000 into the project to produce a car worth $2,500.00. Why not spend $5,000.00 to $8,000.00 and get a car that is good that you can make excellent? If you want to sell it in five years you can get your money back and possibly more if the market appreciates.

If you happen to find a 1959 180 diesel that is missing its motor and transmission sitting in a garage since 1969 that looks amazing for $1,000.00, then you have lightning and a blessing from the Mercedes Benz Gods. It happens. I will keep looking for you!

daw_two · #22 04-03-2010, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffreyNMemphis

I hate to be the cold water of reality... But, here goes!

You can easily put $10,000 into the project to produce a car worth $2,500.00. Why not spend $5,000.00 to $8,000.00 and get a car that is good that you can make excellent? If you want to sell it in five years you can get your money back and possibly more if the market appreciates.

Are voices of "sanity" allowed on this forum?

Yeah, I hear you LOUD and CLEAR, Jeffrey. No money pits for me. I have owned OLD houses in the past --- you have to have a passion for punishment and hard work to own a 100+ year old home.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffreyNMemphis

If you happen to find a 1959 180 diesel that is missing its motor and transmission sitting in a garage since 1969 that looks amazing for $1,000.00, then you have lightning and a blessing from the Mercedes Benz Gods. It happens. I will keep looking for you!

Actually, I have my fingers crossed that I might, just maybe, already have a buyer for an old diesel engine I bought. He just doesn't know it yet.

daw_two · #23 07-16-2010, 09:49 PM

Found this on Craigslist today; bought it.

needs the plug put back on the wiring harness, needs at least one new tire before it goes on a long trip, and definitely needs some safety chains --- I'll get welder guy to put those on tomorrow.

Now how can I try it out??

strelnik · #24 07-16-2010, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffreyNMemphis

If you happen to find a 1959 180 diesel that is missing its motor and transmission sitting in a garage since 1969 that looks amazing for $1,000.00, then you have lightning and a blessing from the Mercedes Benz Gods. It happens. I will keep looking for you!

If you happen to find such a car, I have three OM621 power packs eng+trans that are made for it. The later 180D used the same engine as the 190D

daw_two · #25 07-17-2010, 10:33 PM

Yes, today, I acquired a ponton. I have the hood --- it rode home safely in the back of my truck. And ....believe it or not, I stopped down the street after I got a smoothie at M's and put air in the tires! The tires have inner tubes in them; one tire got a bubble on the sidewall and blew out; the others held air. I wish I'd pumped up the tires before trying to load the car --- next time I will know.

All the leaves blew out of the hood area on the way home and I got the car covered with a brand new tarp to protect the headliner and interior recovered seats from the bad door seals.

The only "bad rust" on the car is at the trunk lid edge and the matching surface on the car. Here are some updated pics.

And I spotted a old car junkyard --- this one looked
interesting. Anyone know what it is?
Please enlighten us.

D&W · #26 07-18-2010, 01:52 AM

studebaker silverhawk

strelnik · #27 07-18-2010, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daw_two

Yes, today, I acquired a ponton. I have the hood --- it rode home safely in the back of my truck. And ....believe it or not, I stopped down the street after I got a smoothie at M's and put air in the tires! The tires have inner tubes in them; one tire got a bubble on the sidewall and blew out; the others held air. I wish I'd pumped up the tires before trying to load the car --- next time I will know.

All the leaves blew out of the hood area on the way home and I got the car covered with a brand new tarp to protect the headliner and interior recovered seats from the bad door seals.

The only "bad rust" on the car is at the trunk lid edge and the matching surface on the car. Here are some updated pics.

Am pretty sure I have at least one deck lid w/o rust sitting in a TRAILER full of 220S parts from one I disassembled

JeffreyNMemphis · #28 07-18-2010, 04:27 PM

It is funny to read this thread from the beginning. That car looks like a worthy project. You also have "the good car that you can make excellent". I am happy for you to have your cake and the scratch to make another cake.

daw_two · #29 07-19-2010, 04:42 PM

ponton is a 1958

euroamg · #30 07-25-2010, 04:30 AM

Nice Ponton Daw.. We used to have one of those too before..
Good luck on the restoration. I have some parts for those too just in case you need any i might have...