Thanks for all the sound advice. I'll have a go at the original motor and report back. I'd like to keep it original and intact.

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Present
1971 280SE W108

1967 250SE W111
Rhode Island
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Auf Wiedersehen
1972 280SE 4.5 (AKA Das Moneypitten)
1972 250C (Mit den zwei carburetors from hell)

"Time fly’s like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana" Groucho Marx