rebuilding 1981 380 sl, plenty of questions
 

Im working on rebuilding a 1981 380 sl that was flooded during kitrina. She runs prettty good, getting some new sparkplugs and checking out some other stuff to get the engine running better. It feels like its not running all four cylenders if anyone has any other ideas.

I really wanted to know if there was anything that I should change that would make the car more comforable or easier to drive. Like the gauges and speedometer i plan on getting new ones. And the aircondition switches im going to put in the new model set up so its still classic mercedes, but doesnt look as cheap. If theres anything that anyone has seen or thought might look good on an SL, or classic mercedes, or just in general. plz let me know, any feed back would help.

I also wanted to know if anyone knows what it means when the exhaust is blowing out black smoke. Ive run the engine a little bit, so it doesnt push out that much, but it still blows some.
And i need to know if theres a trick to draining the oil out. or should i not worry about the plug and just pull down the whole pan.

If anyone knows of filters they would recomend, as in different sizes that would work better. Or even some ideas they think would help the engine, plz let me know. Such as a certain type of spark plug? or fuel filters that they have found to work best. or certain wire upgrades.
I also need to find a picture of the frame after the recall. Supposivly the body of some SL's werent as sturdy as they should have been, so when I reweld the body i wana make sure this is covered.
And would it be better to put a turbo? supercharger? NOS... hehe... or just leave it as is. yea joking about NOS. or just upgrade certain hoses and gauges.

Im not planning on keeping this car original, like most other cars are. I want it to be the body of an '81 with the comfort and user friendliness of new age cars. Although there are many things that I LOVE about the older cars and would never change. Like i said before, any feedback would be great, even if its just ideas.

I know its alot of stuff, but like i said. the car was flooded, so it all has to be redone or at least cleaned up really good. If theres anything else other owners think of plz let me know.

Have you done a compression test on the pistons yet?

If the engine ate too much water, there could be heavy damage to the piston rings...

not yet, but guna get there later this week. and by looking at the water line, it didnt get water that high. Although i might be wrong. It seems like the spark plugs were dirty mainly from not being used for a year. Going put in new spark plugs today, changing oil and filter today as well.

also, anyone ever put or thoguht about putting cold air intake in an SL?

I put in new spark plugs and after a lil while she started running good. The engine sounds better, but Im not sure if its just the small engine or if its still lacking power. Anyone know the Gap size for plugs in an 81 380sl? there at .9mm about right now.

Still havent checked the pistons yet though. but the water didnt get that high. The water only got about 6 inches are so about the floorboard, basically just enought to cover the fuse box. Ive changed out the majority of the fuses allready so i doubt it would be fuse problems. still gota change them all though.

Also was curious if anyone put in Cold air intake on an SL. Ive been lookin up some upgrades and stuff, and i think ill end up going with the cold air intake over a supercharger or turb

Floodkid,
I have an 82 380 SL and live in Ocean Springs just bought it 3 months ago and was wondering how
you are doing with yours.
I have a smoke at start up issue big and whitish gray but goes away after engine warms up.
Thinking about replacing the engine it currently has 179K on the original 3.8 drives great, looks great
but idles a little rough.
I've been looking for a local 380 owner to talk to so drop me a note and let me know how things are
going with yours or if you have any items to sell for the 380.
Keith