Hey guys,

I am in need of two "J-hooks" to hold the top of the battery frame to the battery tray. I can't seem to be able to get them from my parts supplier or from MB anymore. Does anybody have two extras they wouldn't mind selling?

BTW, this is for my '70 280SE

__________________
Regards,
Aaron

Aaron,

Here are two (plus top bracket) on Ebay from a 230sl:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=599935653&r=0&t=0

Not sure if it will fit, but seems like it would.

Any update on your 280sl that seized?

Regards,

__________________
Regards,

Tom S.
1971 280SL Tunis Beige Metallic
1971 280SL Tobacco Brown (13K miles)
1970 280SL Deep Red
1994 E320 Cabriolet
1999 E320 Wagon 4Matic
2002 LX 470
1992 Land Cruiser

Tom,

Thanks for the heads up! I'll have to double check them to make sure they're not too long for my car. Anyhow, I have made the decision to restore my 280SL. Right now it is in storage for the winter and I am going to begin teardown and cataloguing of all the parts next month. I figured it was a dumb move to sell it when it's prime for a restoration. It will be a leisurely project, as I have my hands full with other cars right now though. I'll admit, I would have regretted selling it now.

__________________
Regards,
Aaron

Aaron,

Good luck with the renovation!

Regards,

__________________
Regards,

Tom S.
1971 280SL Tunis Beige Metallic
1971 280SL Tobacco Brown (13K miles)
1970 280SL Deep Red
1994 E320 Cabriolet
1999 E320 Wagon 4Matic
2002 LX 470
1992 Land Cruiser

Ok, I took care of the "j-hooks" today. I went to my local machine shop with an original hook I found amidst my junk at the workshop and had them replicate it with new ones. Got new wingnuts and viola! All back together along with a new MB battery and VDO washer bottle and nozzle. Of course, after I got everything hooked up, I found the plastic fitting at the foot pump bulb to be loose! So tomorrow I am going to disassemble everything and R&R it. Always sumthin'!

__________________
Regards,
Aaron

Aaron,

I have enjoyed (not!) several similar, frustrating experiences over the holidays. I wanted to clean up my battery area, so I took out the battery, brackets, etc. Bead blasted in my new blast cabinet, repainted, everything was beautiful.

Oops, broke a brittle, 30 year old vacuum line. Off to the dealer to get that part.

Went to put everything back together and forgot where one of the wires attached. Waited a few days, did some research and determined it was the ground wire between distributor/engine block that should be connected to the frame at the battery tray bracket.

Fine, did that.

Then I decided the battery needed to shift just a little, so loosened the j hook, put in a screw driver to lever the battery.

Oops-broke the plastic nipple on the vacuum advance box at the distributor.

New vacuum advance box on order-should arrive tomorrow. Given that I am a newbie at working on cars (but learning), expect this simple task to take me most of the weekend.

I am having fun but the learning curve is steep and I seem to break more than I fix. I plan to slow down, think through the steps and see if I can avoid another mishap over the weekend.

At least my garage is heated and I have plenty of light, etc.

Regards,

__________________
Regards,

Tom S.
1971 280SL Tunis Beige Metallic
1971 280SL Tobacco Brown (13K miles)
1970 280SL Deep Red
1994 E320 Cabriolet
1999 E320 Wagon 4Matic
2002 LX 470
1992 Land Cruiser

Tom,

Oh but aren't the merits of driving these cars so rewarding

Just kidding. It's always a relaxing time for me, believe it or not, to be able to get some work done on my own cars. Of course, I do wind up hissing and spitting when I find that I overlooked something as miniscule as a fitting on my washer foot pump!

No good heat yet in my workshop. I've ben researching and have found that radiant heat is the way to go. Apparrently, objects around the heater get warm from the heat's "radiance" and therefore give off more heat around the shop. I'm also considering running a gas line to the shop and installing one of those big Reznor heaters (the big, boxy ones that mount up in a corner and deafen you when they come on). Should keep it pretty toasty in there in the winter.

I also saw in Griot's Garage that they have those hanging heaters that look like flourescent lights. They heat a 10X12' area when hung 8' off the floor. Maybe a few of those and I should be set.

Well, enjoy keeping warm in there in the winter! I'll be busy envying you till I get off my butt and do something about it!

__________________
Regards,
Aaron