*** One Year Folow-up Rept - 1960 190SL for $10K ***

[LakeCleElum]

Some may recall a little over a year ago I bought a ’60 Mercedes 190SL from a female doctor in a town an hour or so away from me. You can read the details here:

*** 1960 Mercedes 190 SL for $10K Story ***

Thanks for all your interest and comments. I thought I’d take a few minutes and bring you up to date.

Although this project has not been on the back burner, I have not had the time to make it a real priority either. It’s been a busy year with a lot of travel, getting a bigger engine in the ’73.5, my knee replaced, 1,800 snowmobile miles, maintaining 3 homes and over 14,000 motorcycle miles in the past 3.5 months. Busy times. So, here’s the latest:

When I drove it the 75 miles home last summer, the brakes were really spongy and it was running a little rough. Not bad, but I knew it could be better. The first step was to replace the brake fluid and bleed the system. This restored good feel to the pedal, but I know it could be better. More about the brakes later.

I looked over the ignition system and all appeared new, even the distributor. Air filter looked new also. I drove it mainly locally last summer, taking only one trip that ended up being about 250 miles in September. It was on this trip that it started to become hard to start when warm. I’d check it out over the winter.

So, in checking, I realized it was running rich. To the point of spitting a little fuel out the exhaust when cold and even fouling one time. Time to dive into the Weber’s (an upgrade from the Solex). I first checked for water in the fuel, gummed up carbs, high float level, stuck choke, etc…..All appeared well. I didn’t check jetting sizes as paperwork that came with the car had a printout from a forum regarding proper jetting and a note from the “shop” that jets had been replaced. Must be right I figure?

Hmmmm, checked ignition again, and found the point gap to be minimal. Proper adjustment and timing helped, but not much. Still running rich. Plugs are black, hard to start hot or cold, hesitates while cruising, etc. I check out forums and know suggested jetting. I find mine are one size rich on the idle jets and a size lean on the mains. I order the correct jets and replace. New plugs at the same time. On a quick trip to town and back (15 miles) on a cool day, it seems much better, but not perfect.

A Day From Hell turns Out Well: So, this past week, hottest day of the year, mid-90s: The princesses (wife) wants to take it on a 250 miles round trip to a 60th birthday party of some of her well-heeled high school classmates. The invite had said, “Bring your classic car”. The host has a ’67 Alfa and a Pantera. Others would bring their Ferrari, XKE and old Camero, etc. Rick will fly in with his helicopter. What the hell, it seemed to be running well, and this car would help her shop for my future replacement, right?

So, off we go and within 10 miles, I know it’s a mistake. On a hot day, when rich jetting will seem worse, things went badly very soon. Running horribly. I’m glad I brought my old plugs and a few tools. Within 20 minutes of our destination, it’s dying at stoplights. I pull over to put the old plugs back in. Better, (95 degrees, right) but not much. I stopped at a FLAPS, bought new plugs and put those in. Spend a few hours at the party, kicking tires. No drinking, I have to drive home.

On the way home, it’s running much better with the new plugs, but mainly when you have your foot it in, not great when cruising. It’s pretty good till about 20 miles from my exit when the motor goes about ½ key off full-song. I see black smoke coming out the exhaust. Fouled a plug at highway speed. Not good, but close to home.

I limp a mile to the next exit and put my old plugs back in. I think: what can make it run that rich on all 4 cylinders that would not be a float or choke problem? I look at the air intake and know it had looked like a new air filter. I think, hell what do I have to lose; I’ll just pull the air filter out and give it a little more air to mix with the fuel. I’ll try anything at this point. This is the first smart move all day on my part.

I start it up and zip thru the gears down the on-ramp. A little black smoke while it cleans itself out and I’m off and running. It’s never run this well or fast. I exit into the Lake Cle Elum area, and stop for a few hours to listen to a Blues band before heading the 8 miles home. It’s running perfectly now. I take it easy going home as I hear there are deer out in the evening:

Hit a Deer 2Nite with my 73.5.....Chit

Next day. I look to see how the plugs are looking when running no air filter. Perfect. I next look over the air intake system very carefully. It seems a prior mechanic had put in an aftermarket air filter (Fram) that was a little too big for the opening. It was right against the intake duct and not letting air be drawn thru the full 360 degrees of the filter. What a restriction. Not oblivious on a quick check of the filter condition. My theory it ran as long as it did as I was just tooling around town at low speeds and in cooler temps. Didn’t require the same airflow as droning down the Interstate on a hot day.

So, it’s running really well at this point. So far, it’s cost me a bottle of brake fluid, a new battery, plugs (x2) and about $55 in carb jets. Under $200 total.

Over the winter, I plan to get into the brakes: I will rebuild the 6 wheel cylinders; replace the master and the flexible brake lines. I have a feeling one or two of the wheel cylinders are frozen in place from sitting. The drums and brake shoes look new. I need to get power to the radio, check compression and do a valve adjustment. Lube, change trans fluid and all that. A new soft top is on the list.

So, what’s it like to own and drive? Lovely. I have to compare it to other cars of that era I’ve owned: a ’59 AH 100-6 and a ’62 XKE Roadster with a 4.2. The Benz is far superior in ride, handling and build quality. Power? Not so much, but getting better now. I wish for a 5 speed.

The car draws attention wherever I go. Oncoming traffic will honk and wave. Farmers on their tractors wave. I’ll be sitting outside a coffee shop on a side street; traffic going thru town will turn around, to come back for a look. People take pictures and stumble around restaurants asking who owns the white MB outside. Women of all ages love it.

I’m gonna send a present to the lady Doc. I got it from and offer her “visitation” – she can come and drive it a few times per summer.

Now, back to the 73.5, gotta replace that pesky accumulator that makes it hard to start when warm. Thanks for looking.

[FLYGEEZER]

Thanks Bob, for the update post & picture. Great find,great car. I wish only the best. Enjoy!

[widebody911]

One year has passed, and I'm still not any less jealous.

[Tobra]

No kidding, nice catch on the wrong air filter thing though. That thing is definitely a keeper.

[scottmandue]

Great story and GORGEOUS car!

Thanks for posting.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Don't forget the PROPER new air filter!!!! ;-)

Beautiful car, by the way!

[vash]

Originally Posted by widebody911

One year has passed, and I'm still not any less jealous.

this^^

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by vash

this^^

^^Double "this".

[azasadny]

Great writeup! I'm glad you're enjoying the car.

[LakeCleElum]

Originally Posted by Groesbeck Hurricane

Don't forget the PROPER new air filter!!!! ;-)
!

Any suggestions on where to buy an air filter (online)? Pelican Parts has a good stock of brake parts, oil filters, etc. Having a time locating wiper and a simple air filter....Thanks...

[Jim Richards]

Oh, if it's that much trouble, I can help you out by taking that troublesome car off your hand, Bob. I'm here to help you.

[Dottore]

I said it a year ago, that was the buy of the century.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Could it be an option to find a new housing that fits the carburetor form on the bottom and would be easier to locate a filter?

Man, that is a hard filter to find on the net! Did you call Pelican?

WIX Oil Filter # 51310 L4 1.9L 116 CID

I could not look up the Mahle filter on their site easily, but does not appear they make an air filter

Oil filter element Up to motor no. 9500081 OX 42 MAHLE OriginalKNECHT

From motor no. 9500082 OX 47D MAHLE Original KNECHT


fram does not make a filter for a MB, according to their site



WOW, I think you might be at the end of finding a close replacement, finding a different type of housing, or going to a generic one fits all type. There should be other housings out there as your carburetor should not be that different, right?

Wish I could have found something different or had better ideas!

[Baz]

Very nice report Bob and a GREAT car!

Thanks for taking the time - I think we can all relate to those trips in our vintage autos when things go wrong! Seems like it's always the hottest time of the year too.

All the best to you and yours,
Baz

[Schrup]

You live a charmed life, were there any cars more impressive than your MB at the party? I doubt it. What a classic.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Awesome, that's a stunning car for nothing.

[mossguy]

Re the air filter: Check with OddJob. Maybe he has a spare K&N that would fit!

[Bill Douglas]

Nice to hear it wasn't a rebuild required - phew.

[LakeCleElum]

Thanks for all of the kind words.

David - I got an oil filter from Pelican, but no air filter available. The incorrect one is 3 1/4 inch tall and 8 3/8's in diameter. Should be taller as I now find a piece of carpeting in the bottom of the housing to shim it up. I'll search Fram and Napa. Anything a little taller and a bit smaller in diameter will work. I want to keep the stock housing/canister. Thanks for the suggestions...

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

Thanks for all of the kind words.

David - I got an oil filter from Pelican, but no air filter available. The incorrect one is 3 1/4 inch tall and 8 3/8's in diameter. Should be taller as I now find a piece of carpeting in the bottom of the housing to shim it up. I'll search Fram and Napa. Anything a little taller and a bit smaller in diameter will work. I want to keep the stock housing/canister. Thanks for the suggestions...

I'll be happy to check for one here in Germany if you want. Let me know.