I think I have a sickness and might need help!

[vonsmog]

Last month I picked up this nice 1985 300TD estate wagon off of Craig's list, and started fixing it up getting it ready for the road in the spring time. Well don't I go and do it again! Found this one posted on Craig's list and went today and dragged it home. 1984 380SL. Owners just moved into a new home and had no room for it. Also did not know what end of a screw driver to hold, so were not willing to put anymore $$ into it. No rust, Runs, but needs a tune up and the paint needs help. Price, only $1600! I just need to stop looking at Craig's list and I will be OK, at least that is what I am telling my wife!! (sorry for the crappy cell phone photos)

[A930Rocket]

Why can't I score hits like that!

Nice car.

[Macroni]

Wow.... Love the colors......

[ckelly78z]

I have never searched for anything Mercedes, but you found a couplke of good scores there.

[SoCal911T]

The 380 doesn't do much for me but I LOVE that wagon.

[Crowbob]

I'll take the little one.

[sc_rufctr]

Nice but how true are the rumors about the 380 engine?
(I'm assuming the one you posted has CIS injection)

Apparently they cost a small fortune to restore because of the ceramic bores.

But are they reliable?

The reason I ask is because there's a 380SL for sale locally at an almost give away price.

[Crowbob]

I don't want the little one.

[wdfifteen]

Love the wagon! Great find!

[vonsmog]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Nice but how true are the rumors about the 380 engine?
(I'm assuming the one you posted has CIS injection)

Apparently they cost a small fortune to restore because of the ceramic bores.

But are they reliable?

The reason I ask is because there's a 380SL for sale locally at an almost give away price.

I don't know, but I'll find out. If the motor is a pain, I'm thinking of putting in a 5 cyl. diesel I have out of a 300D. That would make a fun car that I can run on the biodiesel I make!

[vonsmog]

It was warm yesterday (42ºF.) so I got a chance to power wash and degrease the motor and underneath of the car. Need to replace some bushings in the front and found a rear wheel bearing needs to be replaced, but overall the car is not too bad!

[zelrik911]

Originally Posted by vonsmog

I don't know, but I'll find out. If the motor is a pain, I'm thinking of putting in a 5 cyl. diesel I have out of a 300D. That would make a fun car that I can run on the biodiesel I make!

Ha ha - 300D in a 380SL would be the slowest MB sports in the US / ROW!

Seriously you will like the SL as they are great cruisers.
One odd problem I had on mine was that the return to the fuel tank blocks up and the fuel pressure builds up and 'overchokes' the motor.
Here is a good explanation from a W113 (which is the same inside the tank).

Pagoda SL Group Technical Manual :: Fuel / Tank

I also used best quality NGK sparkplugs in mine - as we know from 911 experience, Bosch plugs have lost their quality.

[Tobra]

Share more about how you get your wife to go for the tales you tell.

[porsche4life]

I don't think you'll find a cure for that ailment around here....

[vonsmog]

Well I did it again, sitting home recouping from hernia surgery I have been shopping on ebay for tools, and checking out whats new on Craig's list. Picked up this parts car 300D for only $250.00 It has a nice dark brown leather interior. No motor or transmission, but don't need anymore than what I have laying around the shop now! Then this morning I found this hardtop for the SL for only $80! Mine has a broken rear window, and this one is in way better shape.

[911dean]

I'd be all over that wagon!

It's hard to get help with the sickness around these parts. Plenty of us around here with it and not looking for a cure.

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by vonsmog

It was warm yesterday (42ºF.) so I got a chance to power wash and degrease the motor and underneath of the car. Need to replace some bushings in the front and found a rear wheel bearing needs to be replaced, but overall the car is not too bad!

I hate to say it but...someone has to let you know...


Someone put a nest of snakes in your car dude. Sorry to say it, but it's true...it's now a snake orgy.

[ZOO]

The SL doesn't appear to have US regulation bumpers. That really improves the aesthetic.

[vonsmog]

Originally Posted by ZOO

The SL doesn't appear to have US regulation bumpers. That really improves the aesthetic.

Yes it is a Euro car, which is a nice bonus! Has the Euro bumpers, no pollution crap and puts out about 50 more HP! They had to federalize when brought into the US. Someone then put it back the way it was, but the lights.

[vonsmog]

Still no cure! Found this "Barn find"
Picked up this 81' 300TD wagon that has been sitting in this garage since 1992! Has only 84k miles on it. There is too much rust to bother with restoring, so it makes the perfect parts car for me. Interior is perfect, the dash is not even cracked and all will be used in my green 85' wagon. So after getting it home and cleaning it up, I wanted to see if the motor was free. Put a socket on the crank bolt and in moved only a few mm. Weird, so I figured the something must be locked up other than the motor. I cut off all the belts, which were rusted to the pulleys. The Alt. was locked right up, and now the motor turned over with no issues, so I rotated it by hand about 10 times. After putting in a good battery, I cranked it over without using the glow plugs and after about 20 seconds it started up! On 24 year old diesel fuel! Will be parting out the truck and saving the motor as a backup for one of our other cars if needed.