|
I did get it cleaned, but my radiator was in fundamentally good shape and the shop didn't think it needed cleaning very badly. But removing it gave me an opportunity to clean everywhere else. I've found virtually no effect on temps after cleaning.
I put in a copper pipe in the neck with plumbers epoxy and so far, this has been fine. Note that some, me included, think that breaking this neck may have to do with bad motor mounts, where the torque movement of the engine pulls on the (really tight when hot) hose and pulls on the neck, breaking it. I've replaced my mounts.
The overflow hose goes into an overflow bag between the fender and the plastic fender wheel well liner. The wheel well liner is very easy to remove and reinstall with the wheel off. There is a rubber seal involved. It's a good opportunity to clean the liner, under the liner, and treat the rubber seal while everything is off. I'm not sure if pre-86 SL's have this - I think it's one of the anti-corrosion improvements in the 560's.
The hose is a European diameter so it isn't going to be directly replaceable from a local car store - I ordered a direct replacement by mail from an aftermarket supplier.
The valve covers are the same as yours, except I removed the paint, sanded them, and buffed them. It's a lot of work and is somewhat time-consuming (the castings aren't that great) and a drill mounted buffer isn't really good enough to do this with-I have a somewhat underpowered, but cheap homemade buffing machine. This makes the car "unoriginal", (along with the other stuff I did did) but I really like the effect! If you want dress-up engine parts for this car, you have to make 'em yourself.
Last edited by Strife; 08-13-2006 at 03:37 PM.
|