I finally, after numerous close calls, bought a fintail

[WANT '71 280SEL]

The ignition is turned to off, so that must explain why I am not getting spark.

Regarding putting POR-15 on the rear floor pans. It may work for the RR since it is covered in rust but not rusted through. It will not work on the LR since the whole back of the pan is no longer connected to the support like it should be.

meltedpanda, what do you mean by have a new one ready when you pull the plug? I assume you mean new fuel filter when I drain the tank? BTW, where is a fuel filter on this beast? I didn't see one anywhere in the engine compartment. I will try looking under the car next time I am at the shop.

Thanks for the help guys, I really appreciate it.
David

[WANT '71 280SEL]

wbain, about the underdash panels. There are two or three pieces in the trunk which I believe are underdash panels then there is one in on the passenger floor. I did not see how the one on the floor would be used, but from the way these panels look, the setup is not simple like it is on the later MBs. I will see what I can do about stencils.

Thanks
David

[WANT '71 280SEL]

Well this stinks. I just spoke with the parts guy at the local MB dealer and something is wrong with something so it is going to take 3 weeks for me to get a key for this car. I was hoping to have it running and about be drivable by then. Oh well, at least the hood star will be in within a couple days.

Thanks
David

[meltedpanda]

Originally Posted by WANT '71 280SEL

The ignition is turned to off, so that must explain why I am not getting spark.


meltedpanda, what do you mean by have a new one ready when you pull the plug? I assume you mean new fuel filter when I drain the tank? BTW, where is a fuel filter on this beast? I didn't see one anywhere in the engine compartment. I will try looking under the car next time I am at the shop.

Thanks for the help guys, I really appreciate it.
David

There is none in the engine compartment that I know of, that is what I meant by adding one, pre pump.
The "filter" is in the tank ( at least it was on mine) and is a one piece set up with the plug. There is lots of area for crud to develop, you will see what i mean. Yours may not be that way come to think of it, it may have a small inline filter somewhere

[WANT '71 280SEL]

Thanks meltedpanda, I will look into that.

I noticed today that the front part of the brake fluid reservoir is dry, I guess I will have to dive into the brakes pretty quick.

Thanks
David

[Mike D]

Check your trunk lock cylinder. It should be the same as the ignition. I took my trunk cylinder to a locksmith and he made me a key in about an hour. Cost $35. Some of the glove box cylinders have all the tumblers.

[Mark DiSilvestro]

Well, my '72 250 and 250C do use one key for all the locks, but my Ponton and Fintail both have 3 separate keys - a large one, kind of shaped like a miniature electric guitar, for the ignition and two smaller ones for the glovebox, doors, trunk and gas door/cap.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[WANT '71 280SEL]

I am not worried about the lock cuylinders or trunk just yet, especially since I can't get a key for the ignition which is what I really need a key for. It is difficult to do other work on the car because it needs to be pushed around to get it to an area where I can more easily work on it. Within the next couple days I will push it onto the lift and check underneath it for rust etc. and get the wheels off to start looking over the brakes. I know for certain that the linkage piece which connects the shifter to the tranny is laying on the ground where it should be attached to the tranny. So I need to look at that and either fix it or order a new one.

Thanks for suggestions and info, and please keep them coming.

David

[nhdoc]

You can jumper around the ignition switch easily enough by just running a wire from the + battery terminal to the ballast resistor on the fender well...then you could test for spark and run the car if you wanted to before the key arrives. To shut down, just pull off the jumper wire.

[WANT '71 280SEL]

That's right. I didn't think about that but my uncle and I did that but we still didn't get spark. There was no spark at the points so he said I need to get a fingernail file from my mom to clean up the contact there.

Thanks
David

[nhdoc]

Originally Posted by WANT '71 280SEL

That's right. I didn't think about that but my uncle and I did that but we still didn't get spark. There was no spark at the points so he said I need to get a fingernail file from my mom to clean up the contact there.

Thanks
David

I would suggest not filing the points, just replace them and the condensor too...they are cheap and you should start fresh with new points anyway.

If, after replacing the points you still have no spark you will need to confirm the distributor is properly grounded and if so then the coil must be faulty.

[WANT '71 280SEL]

I will get new points and condenser then go from there.

Thanks
David

[meltedpanda]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/mecedes-benz-hub-cap-and-hub-cap-rings_W0QQitemZ190010732234QQihZ009QQcategoryZ34227QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Did you see these? Not sure if that was what you were looking for

[WANT '71 280SEL]

I saw those and am planning on watching them to see what they go for. The ad says they are over 14" in diameter, the finnies have 13" wheels and I do not know of there is any overhang, etc. that could intend those caps for a finnie. Some of the early 108's had caps like that so that is what I thought they might be for.

Thanks
David

[nhdoc]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-111-chassis-220S-fintail-hubcap-set-xlnt_W0QQitemZ220008944256QQihZ012QQcategoryZ34209QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

these look like a nice set of center covers.