Definitely an obstruction.

Wish I could just remove cats and run straight pipe. noinspections inflorida. And I have euro engine.

But Midas and other shops won't do it.

Tosbt-

How are you making out with your 4.5?

My exhaust is really ready to be replaced now- waiting for it to drop on the road any day now...

What happened with your overheating? Did you actually take off the new Timevalve stainless system?

I wrote to them for a bit more info about how they design and produce their products, just for my own information, before I decide to plunk down 700 bucks for a whole system.

Looking for an update on your situation before I take the plunge-

Cheers,

JAS

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94 E320
71 350SL

The timevalve system is no longer on my car. I am sure the system they made for me was restricted so badly that it prevented my car from running properly. As soon as I removed it my car ran well again, but has run hot ever since. If you look on ther web page they show a system for a 300SEL 4.5, that is not the system they sold me.

Huh, it must have been purely a case of having sent you the wrong system. I've actually written to them, and they acknowledged your problems (I mentioned your situation anonymously, hope you don't mind)- they gave you a full refund, right?

Gee, I hope you can figure out the hot-running condition- keep me posted.

I think I have no choice but to order the Timevalve system- I have had one before on a car about 10 years ago, and it was great.

Cheers,

JAS

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94 E320
71 350SL

Yes, they gave me my money back, most of it that is. I would recomend that you make them aware that you car is running about 25 more horsepower than a later 450SEL or a 450SL. Clearly I was told my system was the same as the ones used on these two. These systems however are more restrictive than the ones used on your car. I had a new system made by a custom shop here in Austin, works fine and it looks like I might have fixed my heating problem.

25 more horsepower than US 450s? Yes. But not euro 450's. They go up to 225-plus horses. Much like your earlier 4.5. Those with the 450 euro cars, follow the same advice about 'less restrictive systems' as throughout this thread!!

As much as I can tell, the 4.5 as installed in the 108/109 chassis cars is rated at 230 hp, with a hotter cam than what was put in the 116 chassis 450 (rated at 180-190 hp in US spec). This was for reduced emissions/better economy presumably. Is it safe to assume the non-US 450's kept on with the earlier 4.5 as in the 108/9?

Any way, my thought was this- what would a more custom, free-flow exhaust do for the 108/9 4.5?

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94 E320
71 350SL

I just had a "custom" exhaust made for my 109. It runs very well now but not any different from the factory job. I think it's about as "free flow" as it gets, no restrictions, plenty of muffler. I'll bet you that if you get the timevalve they will not sell you the exzact system they sold me. MY CAR IS NO LONGER RUNNING HOT.

Glad to hear you've solved the hot running problem.

So what is the diameter of the pipes you put on?

I imagine if I order from Timevalve, after having mentioned your case, they will NOT make the same mistake twice- I think it was a fluke in your case.

-JAS

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94 E320
71 350SL

Ok. '72 280 SE 4.5 I 've got the bubbles and I've always run hot--just under the middle mark-- and sometimes VERY HOT! Idling in traffic on super hot days will get me near red. However, I haven't always had the bubbles. If this is a bad head gasket, how do I tell which one it is? How long can I go till I'm in real trouble?

I always thought the guage was off and reading too hot because my aux fan doesn't come on when engine is running hot. If I drive around and stop, like at the store, and then start again, then the fan comes on. Very strange. But, at least it's repeatable. The fan switch and all has checked out ok. The temp sensor has been replaced once too as well as the thermostat. Where is the temp sensor on this car for the aux fan? Near the front on the passenger side?

Any help anyone can give would be most appreciated.

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Thomas Viano
'72 280 SE 4.5, over 100,000 miles

May sound dumb, but have you flushed your system, replaced it with a quality coolant (I use Havoline MaxLife or whatever), and gotten a NEW rad cap? Old rad caps might not hold enough pressure in and cause overheating! Also, make sure your coolant level is good - you really can't overfill it, it'll leak it out. But if it's underfilled even by 0.5" (by what I've seen) it will cause bubbling and overheating!

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Current:
2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee"
2018 Durango R/T

Previous:
1972 280SE 4.5
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi"
1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k