Adding A/C to Euro 107??

[hanno]

I will be bringing a 1983 280SL 5 spd home in the near future (assuming all is as described). It has no air conditioning. Has anyone here added air? I'm starting to look for a beater (or a very understanding salvage yard) for A/C parts, but have not yet found a manual euro system (don't want the complexity of the automatic system standard in USA). Were any of the USA cars delivered with manual air? Some parts will be replaced with new (compressor, receiver/dryer, expansion valve, etc.), but I will need wiring harnesses, wood trim, controls, brackets, etc. Anyone have potential sources? Thanks in advance!

[dmorrison]

Some considerations.
Trying to find a phase 1 Ac system for a 107 may be difficult. Finding one that is the phase 3 system (automatic) will be easy. I know of a couple here in the DFW area at junk dealers.
The problem with the auto system is the vacuum elements inside the evaporator box. You will need that box from a donar car. While it is out I would replace all the elements and reinforce the inside element base to prevent the box from breaking. Now the majority of your potention problems that the older 560SLs are facing are solved. Wood trim is available, new or old. Parts etc. So I would consider a 560SL donor. The system is morecomplicated but you will have to learn A system. So you might as well learn the phase 3 system of the automatic AC system.
Don't get the phase 2 AC system. Parts availability problems.

Dave

[hanno]

Dave, thanks for the basics! Could you direct me (or post) the highlights of the 3 generations of AC systems in R107? I had wanted to stay away from the automatic system, but if its a bolt in, common across the production years, and I've got the interior apart anyway....("all ya gotta do"). Thanks.

[jas2wa]

Retrofitting a/c to car not originally equipped, to me, is like doing a transmission swap- but, I see you've already done that with a 300e, so... I'll eat my words...!

I sort of think that adding a/c to a 5 sp euro 107 SL kind of defeats the purpose of why it is such a cool car in the first place- light weight, w/o all of the options in the US versions that add weight and complexity. While rare, there are enough 6 cyl 107's out there that finding one ideally-equipped from the factory might be easier. Meaning one with a/c already- please don't add it to a pure, stripped down euro 107! What's next, power windows?! I say preserve what may be M-B's only modern, real sports car as is-

Cheers,

JAS

[hanno]

JAS, thanks for your thoughts...lets see: power windows, bolt on cup holders, gold trim.... sorry, bad dream . But I just went through half a summer here without air in the 300E (now R134 but working). Its not that its bad (no city traffic in my commute), but that with AC its so much better. Assuming the 280SL is as described, I will be bringing it home in a few weeks (long road trip, 1600 miles). That drive and the temperature on the way should help firm up the decision (also parts availability as it took a year of on and off looking to find a 5 spd donor for the 300E).