The 'new' 83 240D 'save this car' restore thread - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Smoker · #1 10-01-2013, 06:55 PM

Post 1. It's home. As always, even when the seller is an active Pastor don't expect 100% accurate descriptions. A few big rust outs in the usual places (hood pockets, driver and pass firewall from said hood pockets, rear lower quarters).

Interior is best I've seen in a long time, probably redone. Front and rear windscreen seals are nice and flexible, receipt from Mercedes dealer for the seals in 2010. Runs and drives with no clunks, brakes pull evenly. While it was on the trailer I took a look at the flex discs and they're old but no cracks/tears.

Problems I need guidance on or parts from the folks here for:

LOTS of motor vibration in cabin but the idle is smooth, it's just xferring it all right to frame......mounts??

Heater control valve in engine compartment isn't connected to engine cooling system, and I can't see where it goes to. I know the one in it is bad, but the car came with another valve....just no clue where to tap into the system. I suspect they threw a pipe away.

Passenger side hood hinge is bent, disconnected from body, and connection hardware in hood pocket is missing as well as spring. Need the whole setup if someone would like to sell it.

Manual sunroof handle broken off, sunroof closed but rear isn't lifted. I've found the threads on manual sunroof repair, but need a replacement handle, pin, and surround.

Instrument cluster. Car came with two, both cannibalized and missing parts. Could use a complete one.

Pics:

Smoker · #2 10-01-2013, 06:58 PM

More pics:

Smoker · #3 10-01-2013, 07:00 PM

and the last

ichris93 · #4 10-01-2013, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smoker

Post 1. It's home. As always, even when the seller is an active Pastor don't expect 100% accurate descriptions. A few big rust outs in the usual places (hood pockets, driver and pass firewall from said hood pockets, rear lower quarters).

Interior is best I've seen in a long time, probably redone. Front and rear windscreen seals are nice and flexible, receipt from Mercedes dealer for the seals in 2010. Runs and drives with no clunks, brakes pull evenly. While it was on the trailer I took a look at the flex discs and they're old but no cracks/tears.

Problems I need guidance on or parts from the folks here for:

LOTS of motor vibration in cabin but the idle is smooth, it's just xferring it all right to frame......mounts??

Heater control valve in engine compartment isn't connected to engine cooling system, and I can't see where it goes to. I know the one in it is bad, but the car came with another valve....just no clue where to tap into the system. I suspect they threw a pipe away.

Passenger side hood hinge is bent, disconnected from body, and connection hardware in hood pocket is missing as well as spring. Need the whole setup if someone would like to sell it.

Manual sunroof handle broken off, sunroof closed but rear isn't lifted. I've found the threads on manual sunroof repair, but need a replacement handle, pin, and surround.

Instrument cluster. Car came with two, both cannibalized and missing parts. Could use a complete one.

Pics:

There should be a metal tube that connects to the hose that connects to the valve for the heater core.

Shortsguy1 · #5 10-01-2013, 07:23 PM

You can boost the hp by 1/3 if you can train your cat to spin the drive belt.

Good luck with the project.

Smoker · #6 10-01-2013, 07:30 PM

nope, no metal tube. The metal tube that is there is one long piece that goes directly between two rubber hoses...... Here's a couple more pics, I assume that this pipe should have another short tube coming off for the heater valve

ichris93 · #7 10-01-2013, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smoker

nope, no metal tube. The metal tube that is there is one long piece that goes directly between two rubber hoses...... Here's a couple more pics, I assume that this pipe should have another short tube coming off for the heater valve

It should be like this I think with the right rubber hose going into the firewall. Maybe the heater core leaks?

Smoker · #8 10-01-2013, 07:49 PM

They claimed the heat wouldn't shut off. I see what they did now, thank you! It looked like they connected two hoses to the rear of the block and I just couldn't figure out how that worked.....they just short circuited the heater core and have the other one pressed against the block.

Wankers....Thanks again!!

ichris93 · #9 10-01-2013, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smoker

They claimed the heat wouldn't shut off. I see what they did now, thank you! It looked like they connected two hoses to the rear of the block and I just couldn't figure out how that worked.....they just short circuited the heater core and have the other one pressed against the block.

Wankers....Thanks again!!

When I bought my car the heater valve was frozen. After some force with some vice grips I finally got it broken loose.

Glad I could help, if I actually did.

Smoker · #10 10-01-2013, 08:58 PM

That's me barn cat. Siamese Tabby mix. Sweet girl but takes care of mice, moles, even took out a fox. With close to 20 vehicles and a old pole barn you need cats or your wiring and insulation will exit your toys.

Only bad habit she has is that she likes to ride your shoulders while you work, and she has some diggity long claws...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shortsguy1

You can boost the hp by 1/3 if you can train your cat to spin the drive belt.

Good luck with the project.

cooljjay · #11 10-01-2013, 09:20 PM

Your going to need a new throttle pivot mount too....and new primer pump......judging by the last photos, the interior was out of a pre 1979 car....

benhogan · #12 10-01-2013, 10:22 PM

so what is the story with the car? was the pastor the only owner? is it a frankencar from various years?

Smoker · #13 10-02-2013, 11:38 AM

The good Pastor was selling for a friend and knew nothing about history (or really anything else).

I doubt the engine was rebuilt 3k miles ago, more likely a used one was tossed in. Has what appears to be 2 new glows and two older. Air cleaner was new but wrong size, one air cleaner mount was replaced with a straight bolt.

Has some oddities....the hazard triangle is still in trunk, 175sr14 spare looks to have never touched ground. First aid kit intact. It'll be a good driver while the 300CD gets lots of proper restoration. I'm just going to repair the rust and 'broken' items on this 240, bring the preventive maintenance up to date and put it on the road. Wish it didn't need tires....everything I get always needs tires...

Smoker · #14 10-02-2013, 12:20 PM

So how do I tell if it was a 'Euro' market car or not??

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooljjay

Your going to need a new throttle pivot mount too....and new primer pump......judging by the last photos, the interior was out of a pre 1979 car....

jay_bob · #15 10-02-2013, 12:29 PM

The import sticker in frame 2 of post 1 is a dead giveaway that it's a Euro.

Also look at the VIN, an 83 is after the adoption of the 17-digit VIN (that was 1981), but the Euro format is different than the US format. Check wikipedia for a breakdown of the differences between US and Euro.