I finally, after numerous close calls, bought a fintail

[Mark DiSilvestro]

Those trims and hubcap should fit your Fintail.
I checked the trim-rings on my Fintail's 13-inch rims and they do indeed have a 14-inch outside diameter. The 13-inch specification applies to the seat/bead diameter of the rim and tire, not the overall rim or hubcap/trim-ring diameter.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[WANT '71 280SEL]

Thanks, I will be sure to watch these and bid accordingly.

One more thing. When I go to parts stores, none of them list 230S or 220S, just plain 220 and 230 models which were in fact 110 bodies. I want to get tune up parts for my 230S M180 but didn't know if mine takes the same cap, rotor, plugs, and points as the regular 230. Do the two engines share the same tune-up parts? I would think the two would since they are the same engines I believe but different carb setups.

Thanks
David

[Mark DiSilvestro]

The '59 to '65 220b Fintail was actually a W111. The early W110 230 used a pair of single V Solexes, while the later W110 230 had twin Zeniths like yours. Tuneup parts should be interchangeable between the Fintail 230 and 230S. Verify the exact year 220/230 listed in those autoparts books, as there were 4 cylinder W115 220 and 230 models introduced after the Fintail cars and some tuneup parts from them aren't interchangeable.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[WANT '71 280SEL]

I will do that Mark, thanks.


David

[WANT '71 280SEL]

Mark, the rest of my tune-up parts should be here today. I ordered new points, oil filter, fuel filter, cap, and rotor. Neither Autozone nor Advance had non platinum Bosch plugs. Is it true that non Bosch plugs will make the car run funny?

My new question is regarding the shift linkage where it connects to the little rod on the tranny. It appears that the rod just slides on there and is only held on by the bushing, is this correct? There is no ball joint of any sort at this junction, just a smooth "nub." I put the linkage back on and after moving through all the gears it came back off again. Is the plastic bushing the only thing that holds this assembly onto the tranny?

Thanks
David

[nhdoc]

Don't use platinum plugs, just standard Bosch copper cores are the best for these oldsters.

[Mark DiSilvestro]

Some like to substitute NGK plugs for the Bosch.
As long as you use the correct plug, gap and heat range, you usually won't have problems with whatever replacement plug you choose. If your Fintail turns out to be an oil-burner like mine, you may have to switch to the next hotter plug.
As for platinum plugs, I used Bosch Platinums for many years in my '72 250, and for the past year in my '60 Fintail, so far without any problem.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[WANT '71 280SEL]

What about the shifter where it connects to the lever on the tranny. Is it just held on by the bushing? So if I replace the bushing, it just slides on and will stay there? I didn't see any holes for any sort of pin to lock it there and the piece it slides on is smooth.

Thanks
David

[Mark DiSilvestro]

As I recall on the 250S I did last year, its just held in place by the bushing - no pin or clip. Press the bushing into the rod eye, then press the rod & bushing onto the shaft at the tranny. If the shift rod has the same bushing at each end, replace them both.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[WANT '71 280SEL]

I thought I would drop in and give everyone an update. I spent several hours with the car earlier this evening and unfortunately I didn't get much done. The heat index was 107, btw. I went to the MB dealer this morning to order the shifter bushing which goes where the rod connects to the lever on the tranny and what do you know, they had it in stock! So, I got it installed after much sweat and cursing. I didn't have access to ice water so it was a pain getting all together and took many tries. I kept giving up then going back to it and finally got it. I actually took a round file to clean up the eye hole on the end of the rod and I took away just a little bit of metal to help it slide on and now the shifter is working beautifully. I also removed all the throttle ball sockets and sprayed them with carb cleaner to get the gunk out then regreased them. I also greased many of the suspension zerks and the ones I got to took grease so that was cool.

It turns out the points I got from Advance Auto Parts were the wrong ones. The were the right ones but inverted so I stopped by there on the way home and had to order points for a '65 230SL since those look like the ones I took off the car. I also picked up Bosch Platinum plugs, a battery, 20/50 oil, and placed an order for a new condenser to go along with the points. One more thing, I got a fuel filter for the car and it was the size of an oil filter. It was a cartridge type and I didn't see any cannisters under the car or under the hood so I returned it. Am I missing some secret spot that holds a conventional fuel filter?

I won the auction on ebay BTW so I should have 3 trim rings and one center cap all new old stock so I am somewhat excited though I think I could have bought a set of 14" rims, trim rings, and center caps for less than I am paying for this ebay set including shipping plus the price of future rings and caps. So, I think I may still go ahead and buy the 14" stuff so if anyone wants brand new, still in the bags, trim rings and center caps, let me know. Would 14" wheels from a 250S mess up the speedometer calibration much?

Thanks
David

[Tomguy]

That's some awfully thick oil - especially considering how long it was sitting. I probably would have used 5w30 for the first oil change and run it for 500 miles to clean the crap out, then gone to 10w30 or 10w40. Are the points and condenser from there Bosch? If not, cancel that order and get the Bosch ones from Phil. I got a set of non-Bosch points for my 4.5 once, and they were garbage. Also, I have a feeling the plats will foul out quickly on your engine once you get it running since it will take a good hour or so to burn out all the crap in the system. I'd have gone with normal Bosch Supers.

As long as the tires you put on the 14" wheels have the same outside circumference as the 13" ones had, your speedo's accuracy will only be off by what you'd expect a 40 year-old speedo's to be, and no more. I would imagine it's impossible to find 13" tires that handle the weight of a 111.

[WANT '71 280SEL]

I tried to get regular Bosch Super plugs but they couldn't order them and Mark here said he has been using the Plats without any problems, but then again his also has not been sitting like mine has. If they want to foul out I'll clean them up and reinstall them. As for the points and condenser, they did not have Bosch and I would not think they would be very different than the cheaper brand.

Thanks
David

[unkl300d]

Good work so far. THX for the updates.

[Tomguy]

I believe the points I got were Beck/Arnley (not 100% sure), but instead of a solid conductor like on the Bosch points, the center (where the Bosch points usually make contact) actually was drilled through. As a result, the contact area was abysmally small and the points fouled very quickly.

[t walgamuth]

i think the points with a hole in the center are intended to cool better. i doubt that that will make them burn out sooner.

tom w