My Custom 1980 W116 300SD Project - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Squiggle Dog · #16 08-05-2010, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselman

Oh I had one more question do they just bolt right in or did you have to do any drilling?

They bolt in with no needed modification, other than cutting a hole in the door panel (they already have a hole in the backing for a guide). Here's a write-up I did on my first conversion: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=257410 .

Squiggle Dog · #17 08-05-2010, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

Instead of letting one go, see if you could keep it and still get the Fintail you've always wanted.

On a side note, I did not know 300SD's (w116) had rear headrests!

I used to think all 300SDs came with rear headrests because my 1979 had them as did my parts car, but I started noticing no one else's car had them! My 1979 300SD parts car had heated seats in the front and rear, with headrests front and rear.

An interesting bit of trivia is that some W116s were not made with headrests at all!

Squiggle Dog · #18 08-05-2010, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselman

Is this what I need? My friend in Germany is looking and he sent me this link and I want to make sure before I have him get them for me.

http://cgi.ebay.de/Fensterheber-Mercedes-W116-vorne-rechts-/360121661661?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Autoteile_Zubeh%C3%B6r&hash=item53d8ec78dd

Yep, that's a front right regulator for a W116. If you're on eBay Deutschland, search for W116 or 116 fensterheber (window lifter).

Squiggle Dog · #19 08-05-2010, 08:18 PM

Some good news today! I stopped at a wrecking yard to look for an injector line to custom make a pump timing tool out of. I didn't find any injector lines, but I did find some other stuff.

The first car I saw was a 1978 W116 450SE Euro model. Someone had already taken the right Euro headlight, left lens, and wiper arms. The wiper motors were still there. I would have taken the motors if the wiring harness wasn't such a time-consuming thing to remove in one piece. I might get them later.

It had manual windows, so I took all 4 regulators! The cranks were missing, unfortunately. It had a saffron velour interior. I took the velour door panel inserts but not the rest of the door panels because they were damaged. Someone had already taken the wooden console piece. I did take the wooden SLS adjustment switch housing--why, I don't know.

Someone had already taken the rear seat but the front velour seats were still there. The seats were in excellent condition structurally but the skins were torn. I took the headrests in case I ever get velour seats and want to add rear headrests to them.

I got the rubber pieces for the trunk so now I can install my trunk triangle.

I browsed the yard some more and saw a W107 450SLC that had nothing of interest in it. Then I saw a W123 240D that had all 4 window cranks in good condition in the saffron color to match my interior! It also had a very nice horn pad logo.

I also saw a W126 560SEL which had nothing of interest in it. Then, I saw a Euro-spec W123 that caught my eye. It had a manual sunroof so I removed the entire assembly to install in my W116. It was very difficult to squeeze out of the car, yet it fit in the trunk of my roommate's 1965 W111 220S perfectly!

The Euro W123 had headrests in the front and rear with really interesting burgundy checkered cloth interior. I took a look at the shift knob and noticed it had 5 forward gears! So, now I have the sought-after W123 5 speed manual transmission. Should I install it in my 300SD or sell it? Hmmm...

I'm now getting very excited about my 300SD.

dieselman · #20 08-06-2010, 01:22 AM

Thanks for all the help!!!!!

JB3 · #21 08-06-2010, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squiggle Dog

The Euro W123 had headrests in the front and rear with really interesting burgundy checkered cloth interior. I took a look at the shift knob and noticed it had 5 forward gears! So, now I have the sought-after W123 5 speed manual transmission. Should I install it in my 300SD or sell it? Hmmm...

I'm now getting very excited about my 300SD.

What a find! I think you should install it in your SD.

Squiggle Dog · #22 08-06-2010, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dropnosky

What a find! I think you should install it in your SD.

Well, it is going to have manual windows, sunroof, and heat, so maybe a manual transmission wouldn't be so out of line... Hopefully I can find a pedal set for a W116 if the W123 pedal set doesn't work.

JB3 · #23 08-06-2010, 09:48 AM

will a 114/115 pedal set work in the 116? If the 123 does not work, I have a 114 pedal set.

Squiggle Dog · #24 08-06-2010, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dropnosky

will a 114/115 pedal set work in the 116? If the 123 does not work, I have a 114 pedal set.

I'll find out.

JB3 · #25 08-06-2010, 10:02 AM

heres what the 114/115 and the 123 assemblies looks like for comparison-

Squiggle Dog · #26 08-30-2010, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dropnosky

will a 114/115 pedal set work in the 116? If the 123 does not work, I have a 114 pedal set.

I looked in the electronic parts catalog and the W116 pedal set uses 107 part numbers with some "replaced by 116" part numbers. The 115 pedal set uses 115 part numbers and the 123 pedal set uses 123 part numbers, so it looks like I specifically need either a W116 or a R107 pedal set (unless I was creative and could "make it work").

I'm a bit torn. I love driving the car with an automatic transmission. It is so pleasant to drive without having to shift gears and the transmission shifts so smoothly (after the engine runs for 10 minutes).

I'm sure I'd gain acceleration and fuel economy with the 5 speed manual, plus it's a rare option that would amaze people, but it would be a lot of work and I'm still not sure... I'd have to have decent money if I were to ever sell the 5 speed or something worthwhile in trade (like a good paint job).

Squiggle Dog · #27 08-30-2010, 05:14 PM

During the weekend I bought a set of Euro lights locally. They are in good condition other than a butchered and spliced wiring harness which I will fix later on.

I won that grille and hood ornament for $1 on eBay! I installed headrests in the $12 Pull-A-Part rear seat. I drove the car around the block and it was SO nice driving (other than having to wait 5 minutes before the car would move and then another 5 minutes until the transmission would shift into third gear).

Squiggle Dog · #28 08-30-2010, 05:18 PM

The carpeting beneath the rear window is from an early W116 when they used the darker color carpet and I think it looks nicer than a sun-bleached light tan colored one the car would have had.

I really like these 6.9 bumpers. Next on my list is to replace the rubber flex discs and convert the power windows to manual. I can't wait until I can afford to license and drive it!

Squiggle Dog · #29 09-06-2010, 10:22 PM

I got a set of used flex discs and one of them was good enough to replace the really bad one at the differential. The one at the transmission looks okay for now, but I'll want to get new ones when I can afford it.

I installed one of the manual window regulators in the driver door. The glass was having a very hard time moving in the tracks, which puzzled me. This must be why the electric regulator shattered. I ended up discovering that the aluminum post that the window slides on was not only bowed, but bent sideways! After replacing the post the window moved freely. I also installed one of the door glass pieces that I have with the Blaupunkt coded decal (I will be installing a Blaupunkt Bahamas CD player, so it will coordinate). I installed a center console wood that was not made with window switches since I won't need them anymore.

You can see that the front seats are trashed. The springs are flattened and the skins are torn. It is not at all comfortable. Speaking of seats, I will be installing front and rear heated seat parts. I installed the B-pillars that have the pods with the switches on them. The switches have a low and high heat setting.

The switches for the front seats are meant to be mounted in the console wood, so this means I will need to very carefully cut some holes in it. Looking at the back of the console wood I can see one square hole in the plastic backing through which I can see where the hole would be punched out for the seat heater switch to go. I do not see one on the other side, but maybe there is a "punch-out" in the wood behind the plastic backing. Looking at the console piece the seat heater switches came from, it appears the holes were made by drilling a hole at each corner then "connecting the dots" by cutting between them and making a square. I will be very, very nervous to make the holes for the seat heater switches!

I know that the W126 and later sedans use relay modules for the seat heaters and I am trying to figure out if the W116 uses them or if the switches do everything. I think I have all of the parts I need for the conversion. The heat pads I've got are actually from a W126 and instead of being square are separate strips that are supposed to be fit in the pleated part of the seat, between the padding strips and the leather/vinyl skin itself.

Squiggle Dog · #30 09-06-2010, 10:36 PM

I got the back seat at Pull-A-Part for $12 to replace the blue W123 seat that was in it. I added the headrests. It looks like someone had it reupholstered in generic (but matching) vinyl while leaving the leather armrest section untouched. It's very interesting.

I added a third brake light but it's not been wired or even screwed in yet.

I took apart the front seat and replaced the lower pan, springs, and pads that I got for a few dollars at Pull-A-Part. They looked like they were brand new! I had a spare bottom seat skin that was in better shape than what the car came with.

I installed the W126 seat heaters in the seat. They didn't fit like they are meant to because the heat pads have seven strips and my seat has 6 pleats, but I got them to lay flat and they cover about the same area. When I have the money to get new seat skins I'll probably buy new heat pads.

I replaced the section of foam in the seat back where it was worn and then cut the edges of the torn vinyl skin a bit neater. I stuck another piece of vinyl behind it and will probably use a soldering iron to melt the edges together to join the patched piece to the skin itself. I also replaced the panel that holds the netting.

I put the seat back in the car and sat in it to find that my head was touching the roof! I adjusted the seat so it was lower and it's about right. The seat is now very comfortable and very firm. I now know what a brand new W116 seat feels like. I will do the same thing to the passenger seat. I plan on this getting me by until I can have new seat skins made for all seats.