Sad to report, not much in the headway department this week. My work schedule got somewhat jumbled, and it hasn't allowed me to do much more than sneak a peek at the car all week I did get home from work today, with just enough light left to be able to pull the dented grille shell and insert. I know where there is a clean, straight and nearly perfect replacement and hope to pull it next weekend (the one I picked up out of the front seat of a wreck turned out to be a 123 shell and insert). I might try to remove the driver's side "B" pillar trim before hitting the rack tonight...maybe.

Hopefully more headway next weekend.

Bman600, I don't know about "tuners", might be some info in the Performance forum. Personally I like the power/feel of stock. Both the 4.5 and 5.6 have sufficient get-up and go for me.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Well, I have managed to get some minor things accomplished at night between everything I do and hitting the rack.

I have pulled the ETR's (seat belt emergency tensioners) and am waiting for replacements. The "B" pillar trim pieces needed a little attendance, namely around the selt belt adjustment window. The leather had started coming loose around the window. A good cleaning of the aluminum backer, with lacquer thinner was in order. Then I used 3M Trim adhesive and reattached the leather skin. If the contact high I got from the adhesive is any indication, it's good stuff. Due to the cold temps here in Sunny So. Cal., I opted to do the glue up at the kitchen table.

There was a post some time back about what you found under the rear seats of "new" used cars. Well, I haven't pulled the rear seat, but I have found approximately $6.00 in change under/beside the front seats and on the inside of the center console.

I also came to the conclusion, that if I still have the 560 when the girls hit driving age (11 more years for the older one) they will not ever take the 560 out on a date! To do the "B" pillar work, I moved the front seats all the way forward to gain access, with the front seats moved there is an ungodly amount of room in the back. Couple that with the reclining rear seat and I see trouble .

Maybe if I install a LOJAC system and get the LOJAC receiver too boot, I'd feel beter.

Lets see, I also drained the self leveling resevoir, cleaned the bottle and changed the filter. Will be replacing the fluid tomorrow and flushing the remaining old stuff into another recepticle until clean fluid comes out.

I am at the point I want to finish putting the interior back to gether, but can't do anything more until the replacement ETR's are in. Waiting makes me feel like I'm not accomplishing anything .

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

The back-seat space in my pops long wheelbase W140 is simply amazing! I could fit three more people back there if the front seats are all the way up, and the back ones are reclined! lol

Keep up the good work and don't get discouraged!

I know that I'm speaking for many of us here, but I am enjoying immensely reading about your weekly progress.

Regarding your girls, maybe you can turn off the gene or shut off the part of the brain that promotes promiscuity. lol. There was an article I read on the brain recently that mentioned that a part of the front cortex part of the brain that develops when kids become teenagers that encourages risk taking, and this may be part of promiscuity on the part of girls.

Are you going to the gtg at the Mission Viejo Mall on 2/9? I'd love to see the 560 if it is running. If not, I'd love to see your 280. I almost bought one down in Laguna Beach in 1992. I was this close (my fingers are about 2 cm apart). It was a 1972 280 SE 4.5, a light tan color, medium brown interior, flawless, but had well over 200,000 miles. Ran like a top, all of the receipts, original owner. The guy was retired military, fell in love with MB when he was stationed in Germany, married his wife there, and bought it brand new and owned it ever since. He also had a 280 SL in his garage. He wanted $6,000 back then, and wouldn't budge on the price. I went down there twice in a span of two months, but he was fixed on the price. I'm sure he must have eventually sold it by now.
I walked away from the deal, but have thought about it ever since. I wonder how practical and reliable one would be as a daily driver?

Thanks. Paul S.

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

At least I got something accomplished last night. I flushed the suspension fluid. A very easy job, although turned out messier than anticipated.

Got three liters of MB suspension fluid, poured in one and half to the clean and empty bottle. Installed the cap and a new filter and put a piece of clear tubing on the return line. This tubing was a shade bigger ID than the return line OD, but I though I made a good seal at the flare (thought is the key word here).

Started the engine and let the fluid drain into a clear bottle. Looked bad, almost like motor oil. Then I noticed the steady stream pouring from the junction of the return line and tubing - I though I had a seal there. Shut everything down and started cleaning up the mess. Next I found a piece of fuel line that fit tightly to the return line and tightly to the clear tubing. Fired the engine off and started flushing again without leaks.

Found it is difficult to neatly pour fluid fron the bottle into that little hole in the cap - while the engine is running, something about the air currents generated by the fan . Another mess to clean.

Any way, ended up flushing a little over one liter through the system. System is topped off, bottle is clean and everything looks good. The new fluid looks like a dark amber beer, much better than the old stuff.

Also found a neat use for the old fluid. The left headlight frame (fog light unit) was looking rather shabby, like it had been frosted. Road wear most likely. I saw a clear line on the lens and saw that a drip of fluid had run down, effectively clearing the frosting. I took one of the cleanup rags and starting rubbing the lens down. By the time I was done, the left looked as clear as the right. I'm sure the effect will not last long, but it will work until I can find a clear replacement.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

I use Mirror Glaze #10 clear plastic polish, #17 clear plastic cleaner, and for the really bad damage, the Mirror Glaze defect removal system.

It works really good...

__________________

Scott Longston
Northern California Wine Country...
"Turbos whistle, grapes wine..."

I'll look for the products you mentioned Scott, but in the mean time, I grabbed a pair of frames today (no cracks and very little road wear).

I also installed the seat belt assemblies and now have a working supplemental restraint system. After installation, I made the connections and fired the girl up. The SRS light went out after about 10-15 seconds and stayed out.

I also grabbed a replacement headlight wiper motor. In my constant poking about the car I found the right motor was shot. Somehow the drive shaft got driven through the motor, came out the back of the motor and disengaged the gear internally.

I grabbed a R129 rim and went to the 560 I have been scavenging from, tried to fit the 8x16 ET34 rim, it was a no go. I had hoped they would fit, and I don't want to use spacers so I looked for the 560 rims. Spent quite a while digging through the tires, and checking out every car trying to find a set of rims for the 560. Took awhile, but I dug up a set.

That is all I accomplished today, now time for a shower.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Lets see, I have the interior nearly back together. I haven't installed the stereo yet, because I decided I have to pull the center console. As much as I don't want to, looks like I have to. When I was cleaning the back seat carpets, I noticed the console is sitting on the hump crooked, must not have everything in place properly. Should be much easier this time around though.

Here is how the front and rear are looking as of this afternoon,





Looking pretty spiffy, huh? If you look close you'll see the rear passenger door has the panel off. I thought, now is the time to replace the missing rear window. When I opened the door, guess what I found...the window!!! The plastic coupler for the sliding jaw was broken and somehow the window got pushed into the door. All this time I thought the window had been broken out, I guess the lack of broken glass in every crevice should have been a sign .

Until I can replace the piece or the sliding mechanism I have the window secured. That meant I could actually wash the beast today. I washed and washed. Really got a lot of crud off the paint. Looks like I will have to invest in some clay though. The PO's must have parked under a very sappy tree, an hour of rubbing with Meguires cleaner made a nice dent, but still feels a bit rough to the touch. Also looks like I should be able to save most of the paint, except for the hood. That will have to be reshot at some point.



But my greatest feeling of accomplishment is in repairing the Supplemental Restraint System. When I first got the car it had a bevey of idiot lights glowing and a cacaphony of buzzers blaring, enough to raise the dead. Now just look at the instrument panel with the engine running at cold idle, nothing lit!



Still have a few things to do, mostly minor or cosmetic except for the timing chain, tensioner and rails. Once I get those in and throw a new set of tires and wheels on I will take her uptown for the safety inspection (required on all salvage cars - at least in my county) and a smog check. Figure that is still enough to keep me busy for a little while longer.

She's itchin' to go.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

good job mike! what are you going to do with all your spare time once this project is completed???? quick question, in all of this did you have to remove the steering wheel, if you did, how hard was it? did you need a puller? thanks
Ryan

__________________
83 300SD.......sold
96 integra SE....sold
99 a4 quattro....sold
2001 IS300.......sold
2002 330i.........current.
2004 highlander limited....current.

Mike you are doing an exceptional job, Keep up the good work!

Ryan,

Didn't you see the first pics of the black console??? Of course I pulled the wheel .

Piece of cake. If airbag equipped you'll need the torx bit for the two bolts, accessed from the back side of the wheel (I don't have the bit, but found a 4mm hex works great), Also, if airbag equipped you'll have to disconnect the battery and pull the passenger side footwell to access the red 10 pin connector as you have to disconnect that plug. Word of caution, DO NOT PULL BY THE CORD! you will break the connector. Grasp the connector firmly by the sides and work it off. Once this connection is open, you can remove the airbag. Once unbolted there is a two pin connector to the bag, simply pull it off.

If not airbag equipped, then simply pry off the three point star in the center of the wheel to access the bolt.

The wheel is held on by a large bolt. It takes a 10mm allen. Do not try to use the steering wheel lock as a counter for the force you exert on the bolt. Use another person to hold the wheel if you cannot break it loose by yourself. Once the bolt is out, the wheel should just lift off with a very slight side to side wiggle.

No further connections to make or break. While the wheel is off, check out the condition of the slip rings. Very easy to replace while the wheel is off.

Hope this helps.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

ok sweet thanks

__________________
83 300SD.......sold
96 integra SE....sold
99 a4 quattro....sold
2001 IS300.......sold
2002 330i.........current.
2004 highlander limited....current.

What rims are you planning on puting on the 560 now that you know your original choice wont fit. I recomend the 15" or 16" regular-alloy (not chrome) 6-hole design from the '92 W140. They look awsome on thw 126.

I've got a set of stock chromies off a 560SEC, well at least three of them plus one other. None of the other rims had enough offset for the 560. Everything I tried either hit a caliper, rubbed on the suspension or the bolts went in too deep and hung in the parking brakes. On most any other 126 I think you are OK, but the 560 seems to require the 25mm offset.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Well, I guess I disappointed a few people by not showing up at the So. Cal. get together in the 560. So I knocked out a couple things the last two days,

I started by pulling the center console, yes again, to get it in just right. I had something out of place under the fresh air plenum, which was causing the console to list toward the driver's seat. Pulled everything up, got the harnesses back in position a little better and set the plenum in. Getting the console back in is now a real piece of cake, I think I have the rpocedure down pat. The console sits much squarer than before. Good enough that I even installed the piece of carpet, as I have no intention of pulling it out for a while.

Last night, I installed the Becker Grand Prix. That required a bit of thinking. It's been a couple months since I pulled it, and I was having a hard time remembering which wire went where. A bit of careful study showed that the one connection I couldn't quite figure out, slipped in next to the 4 pin connector. Once that connection wa smade the stereo worked fine. Radio reception was good, cassette worked good, antenna goes up/down with power on/off and adjusts by the dash button. Now all I have to do is find the "how to operate" section on the CD.

This afternoon I spent some time cleaning the engine. Gotta try and get the grime knocked down before I set in on the T-chain and related parts. Looks like it is going to need another washing, but definitely looks nicer now. Did find that I will have to hunt down a set of intake tubes for the breather. Heat and age have taken their toll and both tubes are starting to crumble. Might try and see if those fancy foam insulated ones from the 500E will work.

The only interior work I have left is the sliding jaw for the right rear window, the driver's seat switch replacement and the burl trim for the driver's door. The wood has started to lift off the aluminum backer, I planned to try and glue it back down with super glue. Before I do that though, I am experimenting with an extra I snapped up from a wreck. The extra has the two outer most blocks broken off. I was able to retrieve the blocks at the same time I got the trim, the whole piece is now glued and clamped. I have some good woodworking glus, it works good, good enough that I was able to repair a shift gate surround trim.

Most of you have seen this - the PO in an attempt to remove the shift surround pries up around the edges, usually pulls the staples out of the legs that slip under the console support and breaks the lower leading edge of the wood, where the coin tray meshes. I sucessfully replaced the staples using gentle persuasion via plastic mallet and a punch. The wood was repaired by cleaning the mating surfaces, ensuring fit and gluing with the good glue then clamping for 24 hours.

The last thing I know I need to do is get a new set of tires to mount of the chrome 15 hole rims I picked up.

Almost ready.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.