Dan: Just a test, but if this works, here's the tool I made/used:
http://testpractise.homestead.com/SpringCompressor.html
(For the life of me, I've tried to post a picture directly using this forum's attachment feature, but after an hour of frustration, I give up. For anyone who knows, how did the poster of the topic "Orion H2 15.2 box build.." in the Car Audio forum manage to post all those huge pictures??)
Anyway, I made this from tubing, some 1/4" rod, a clevis pin, bolts, and washers, all stuff laying around my shop. I use a short piece of slightly larger pipe slipped over the handle as an extension. There's a tool on EBay that is the real mcCoy, so you can compare. Search under 'Mercedes tools'. Also, see other posts with pics on this forum.
emmydotnet: My compressor is 5HP, with a 30 gallon tank. I made it from parts ordered from a supply house, a second hand tank, and a used motor from a local repair business. I would think any 3 - 5 HP unit should be able to sustain 100lbs pressure, though, for the time it takes to do each valve.
Re. the 380, I was fortunate to get this car from who I believe may be the 4th owner. I know for a fact that the owner previous to him let the motor go dry of oil
, so he had my friend (a now retired MB trained mechanic) rebuild the engine (a 5-figure job, BTW). That's how I know I got a good car, as the body has been redone, and the inside is nearly immaculate.
The only real bugaboo that irks me is the hardening of all the rubber bushings underneath. I think that it would ride 100% better were I to take the time and bear the expense of replacing all of them.