W116 fuel filter replacement
 

i want to change the fuel filter on my 1980 350se but I'm not sure how to get the thing out! looks like a lot of plumbing and it's not obvious which bolts hold the filter in place from what I can see... or does it clip into the metal clamp? just I'm used to the nice easy engine-mounted filter on my diesel... and the haynes manual is not very helpful!

I'm familiar with the 124 cars where the clamp secures the filter in place. Be sure to re-use or replace the plastic sleeve that goes around the filter to prevent corrosion. Also, use two wrenches when undoing the connections and clamp the rubber supply line from the fuel tank to prevent gas from leaking while you replace the fuel filter.

Does it resemble this:

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1U40N9POF1UC12AAU5&year=1980&make=MB&model=280-SE-003&category=E&part=Fuel+Filter&appChassis=_any

If so, do as Ferdman suggested and use wrenches. You'll have 2 connections to loosen, an inlet and an outlet. You'll use 2 wrenches at each one. A wrench to loosen and one to counter. Again, if it's like the one at the URL I listed, it will fit inside a sleeze that's loosened by backing off screw tension. After that's done and the 2 connections are off, it slides out.

As a safety precaution, I pull the ground strap on the battery first because in my case, the pump is nearby. I also lay an old blanket on the ground first. Metal tools dragging across a concrete surface could create spark.

Have a pan handy to catch fuel runoff when filter connections are removed.