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1975 Mercedes 200 5.0 V8BenzBoy
@benzboy
Club Retro Rides Member 7
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Dec 15, 2009 12:18:49 GMT
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Hey Erik! Welcome to Retro Rides.  I found your build recently too! ;D Thanks for the info on the parts that fit - I was wondering if 107 engine mount brackets would fit or not but thought they might set the engine too close to the bulkhead (firewall). If this isn't the case then I'll go looking for some. I'm glad I'm not the only one doing this too!  rob0r and kee - thanks for the kind words! I'm trying to keep things going during this gloomy weather - Spring is not long away! |
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Seth
South East
MorrisOxford TriumphMirald HillmanMinx BorgwardIsabellaCombi
Posts: 15,543
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Dec 15, 2009 13:34:29 GMT
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At the minute it feels like I have a huge mountain to climb! But I can only do it one step at a time... I know the feeling. I've found it really useful to split big jobs down into more manageable pieces and also try and plan the order of work so that it flows in a kind of logical order You will get there! |
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Follow your dreams or you might as well be a vegetable. |
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Stoke8v8
Part of things
Megasquirt M117
Posts: 142
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Dec 15, 2009 16:44:53 GMT
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Hey Erik! Welcome to Retro Rides. I found your build recently too! ;D Thanks for the info on the parts that fit - I was wondering if 107 engine mount brackets would fit or not but thought they might set the engine too close to the bulkhead (firewall). If this isn't the case then I'll go looking for some. I'm glad I'm not the only one doing this too! rob0r and kee - thanks for the kind words! I'm trying to keep things going during this gloomy weather - Spring is not long away! I guess I should say on the engine mounts, I measured the distance apart and it was spot-on so I ordered a set which have yet to arrive... along with a R107 560 SL oil pan, oil filter housing and log manifolds. none of these have actually been test fitted on my motor yet but I did do a fair bit of measuring before ordering and worst case they are much closer than the W126 parts I have from my donor car. the transmission dipstick IIRC needs to be moved to the right side of the engine valve cover to clear.. I am also struggling to see how in the world I can make the heater core pipes fit as its a pretty tight squeeze. are you planning on using the /8's 183mm rear differential and 4" flex discs w/ a custom drive shaft for the 722.350 trans? best of luck as always |
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76' 240D M117
91' M3 S54
88' M3 S54
87' 325i M54 ZHP
91' 850/6
04' Vespa 200GT
89' 325i coupe eBay turbo project
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1975 Mercedes 200 5.0 V8BenzBoy
@benzboy
Club Retro Rides Member 7
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Dec 15, 2009 17:22:47 GMT
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I'm using the 2.47 limited-slip differential from the W126, with (I hope!) 560SL axleshafts, although they seem to be rare as hell. I have the W126 propshaft (driveshaft in American ;D) which I intend to get shortened.
I know what you mean about the heater! I've moved mine temporarily so that the pipes aren't in the way, although I can't figure out how to remove it completely, the thing seems to be stuck solid! I did consider just shortening the brass pipe fittings and having the rubber hoses go through the holes and bend 90deg up the bulkhead, but even then I'm not sure if there will be room.
I don't seem to have any clearance problems with the oil pan - the thing sits in the space in the crossmember and sits higher than my old M115 one did. Maybe it's due to the W126 engine brackets, making it sit higher.
Also, I remember reading on your build that you can't make the brake servo clear the engine - I have this trouble too, and may need to look at smaller diameter ones, or a remote one even! Did you find a solution?
I'm concerned about the clearance between engine and steering box. I'm not sure what it's like with LHD cars but I have about 5mm - not really enough I suspect.
I'm really glad I'm not the only one doing this conversion! Information on Mercedes stuff, particularly regarding modifying, is pretty scarce I've found, so it's great to have someone to compare notes with!
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Stoke8v8
Part of things
Megasquirt M117
Posts: 142
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Dec 15, 2009 18:00:46 GMT
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I'm using the 2.47 limited-slip differential from the W126, with (I hope!) 560SL axleshafts, although they seem to be rare as hell. I have the W126 propshaft (driveshaft in American ;D) which I intend to get shortened. I know what you mean about the heater! I've moved mine temporarily so that the pipes aren't in the way, although I can't figure out how to remove it completely, the thing seems to be stuck solid! I did consider just shortening the brass pipe fittings and having the rubber hoses go through the holes and bend 90deg up the bulkhead, but even then I'm not sure if there will be room. I don't seem to have any clearance problems with the oil pan - the thing sits in the space in the crossmember and sits higher than my old M115 one did. Maybe it's due to the W126 engine brackets, making it sit higher. Also, I remember reading on your build that you can't make the brake servo clear the engine - I have this trouble too, and may need to look at smaller diameter ones, or a remote one even! Did you find a solution? I'm concerned about the clearance between engine and steering box. I'm not sure what it's like with LHD cars but I have about 5mm - not really enough I suspect. I'm really glad I'm not the only one doing this conversion! Information on Mercedes stuff, particularly regarding modifying, is pretty scarce I've found, so it's great to have someone to compare notes with! well, I'm gonna see how long the 183mm gearset can take the torque of the 560 beast! if pre 85 W126 LSD diffs were easy to find over here, I would do that in a heartbeat! for that, I am eternally jealous! I am amazed you didnt have oil pan clearance issues with the W126 pan -- I needed the R107 pan so I wouldn't have to modify my lower subframe (maybe the 200 petrol has a different subframe than my 240 diesel) the brake servo (booster/mastercylinder across the pond) I have not been able to make clear the valve cover yet -- I had one of a couple ideas: 1.) use a brake booster and MC from a 1985 non-abs 190E 2.3 - similar boost factor and a smaller diameter, or 2.) I could physically move the mounting for the /8 one and use that..? that is probably my most pressing clearance issue of late. |
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Last Edit: Dec 15, 2009 18:04:54 GMT by Stoke8v8
76' 240D M117
91' M3 S54
88' M3 S54
87' 325i M54 ZHP
91' 850/6
04' Vespa 200GT
89' 325i coupe eBay turbo project
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Stoke8v8
Part of things
Megasquirt M117
Posts: 142
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Dec 22, 2009 21:22:42 GMT
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BenzBoy, makin' any progress? |
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76' 240D M117
91' M3 S54
88' M3 S54
87' 325i M54 ZHP
91' 850/6
04' Vespa 200GT
89' 325i coupe eBay turbo project
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1975 Mercedes 200 5.0 V8BenzBoy
@benzboy
Club Retro Rides Member 7
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Dec 22, 2009 22:51:59 GMT
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Hi Erik - I've been distracted this week as I've just got a Bong Equipe! I'm just doing some tidying up on that and then it's back on with the Benz project! I'm running the Equipe as a daily driver so it's not a major project (I hope). Once I have the engine in its final position I have some welding to finish off (a few day's worth!) How's yours going? |
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Stoke8v8
Part of things
Megasquirt M117
Posts: 142
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fair enough I am still waiting on my R107 parts to show up from Florida, ugh. nothing else of late on that project, got a few others going as well. OM616 & 4-speed -> W201 chassis. 190D 2.5 Turbo auto -> 5 speed manual. too many projects! looking forward to updates (and pics!) -Erik |
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76' 240D M117
91' M3 S54
88' M3 S54
87' 325i M54 ZHP
91' 850/6
04' Vespa 200GT
89' 325i coupe eBay turbo project
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Neil
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,485
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Dec 23, 2009 14:24:25 GMT
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Freudian slip, no doubt; I've seen this man drink whiskey like you wouldn't believe.
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1975 Mercedes 200 5.0 V8BenzBoy
@benzboy
Club Retro Rides Member 7
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Dec 23, 2009 14:29:26 GMT
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Hahaha! When some people saw what I'd brought home I think there were questions about what I'd been smoking... ;D  The weather isn't great at the moment so I couldn't really do much even without the Bond, as they're quite major jobs I have to do. I'm contenting myself with some light spannering on my "daily". Beats Christmas TV anyway! |
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Magico
Part of things
Posts: 18
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So what did you do to lower te car ? I'm currently buying a 250CE (W115) and I can't find lowering stuff anywhere. Do you either now a company that sells lowering springs or do you share the secret of lowering a W115 ?  But that is one awesome ride you got there, it looks great ! As for ride hight, this is what I'm after:  |
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Last Edit: Jan 6, 2010 13:03:38 GMT by Magico
No way but sideways
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1975 Mercedes 200 5.0 V8BenzBoy
@benzboy
Club Retro Rides Member 7
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Hello, welcome to RR! I cut the coil springs on the front. I can't remember how many coils as it was years ago... possibly 4 coils? Anyhow, there are some tightly-spaced "dead coils" at the bottom of the springs so the spring sits the same in the bottom wishbones after being cut. For the rear, I used lowering springs from a Ford Sierra, however they aren't really a high enough spring-rate and the car sits on the bump-stops. When it's back on the road it will have the original rear springs installed, possibly with a few less coils! I have to get new coil springs for the front, because with the weight of the new engine there is no front suspension travel at all. I'll be getting a pair of W107 coil springs I think. Strangely, you can get lowering springs for the SL (Spax do them, I think), which has identical front subframe and suspension to the W114/5, so I don't know why they are not sold as being suitable for at least the six-cylinder stacklights too... I suppose the spring rates must be slightly different, although the weight difference between a 280SL and a 280 W114 must be minimal. The snow has stopped me doing anything on the car at the moment. I'll have to wait for the better weather before I can make any real progress. |
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Last Edit: Jan 6, 2010 13:24:21 GMT by BenzBoy
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Magico
Part of things
Posts: 18
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Hello, welcome to RR! I cut the coil springs on the front. I can't remember how many coils as it was years ago... possibly 4 coils? Anyhow, there are some tightly-spaced "dead coils" at the bottom of the springs so the spring sits the same in the bottom wishbones after being cut. For the rear, I used lowering springs from a Ford Sierra, however they aren't really a high enough spring-rate and the car sits on the bump-stops. When it's back on the road it will have the original rear springs installed, possibly with a few less coils! I have to get new coil springs for the front, because with the weight of the new engine there is no front suspension travel at all. I'll be getting a pair of W107 coil springs I think. Strangely, you can get lowering springs for the SL (Spax do them, I think), which has identical front subframe and suspension to the W114/5, so I don't know why they are not sold as being suitable for at least the six-cylinder stacklights too... I suppose the spring rates must be slightly different, although the weight difference between a 280SL and a 280 W114 must be minimal. The snow has stopped me doing anything on the car at the moment. I'll have to wait for the better weather before I can make any real progress. Thnx for the welcome ! So basically I have the option to: - Cut the stock springs, which lowers the car but probably gives dreadfull handling. - Accept that there are no lowering parts for the W115 And if I get your story correct, in theory it should be possible to fit W107 lowering springs on a W115 with a 6 cylinder since the subframe/suspension and the weight and/or weight distribution should be roughly the same ? |
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No way but sideways
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1975 Mercedes 200 5.0 V8BenzBoy
@benzboy
Club Retro Rides Member 7
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Thnx for the welcome ! So basically I have the option to: - Cut the stock springs, which lowers the car but probably gives dreadfull handling. - Accept that there are no lowering parts for the W115 And if I get your story correct, in theory it should be possible to fit W107 lowering springs on a W115 with a 6 cylinder since the subframe/suspension and the weight and/or weight distribution should be roughly the same ? I found that the car handled very well with the cut springs, and the ride isn't too bad on the original tyres because of the tall sidewall. On 40 profile tyres the ride was very harsh because there was very little sidewall flex. The ride is a lot firmer because of the increase in spring-rate that comes with a shorter spring, but I found it to be perfectly civilised still. I must say that I haven't actually tested the theory of 107 springs on the stacklight, or seen it done on any other car, but it's something I intend to try with my car and it looks to work in theory. But then, Communism works in theory but in practice it's a different matter! ;D |
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Mark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,097
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1975 Mercedes 200 5.0 V8BenzBoy
@benzboy
Club Retro Rides Member 7
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Nice find Mark! But £373?! Jesus!  Nice to know they are available though. Tonycocacola had a set custom-made for his W123. I don't recall how much they cost him but I remember being quite pleasantly surprised. I think it was this place he used. |
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Ether
Posted a lot
Posts: 4,450
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Are you turboing this, old chap?
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1975 Mercedes 200 5.0 V8BenzBoy
@benzboy
Club Retro Rides Member 7
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Are you turboing this, old chap? No, I made that error with my last V8 - I got all carried away with turbos, megasquirt and so on, and none of it got done. I'm trying to keep it simple this time to give myself the best chance of finishing it. Once it's running and on the road I might start tinkering! ;D |
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Magico
Part of things
Posts: 18
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Thnx for the help guys, I'll make sure to keep my dutch eye on this project, and that goddamn hot W123 with the 270whp V8 too.
As soon as I finished the buy on the W115 coupe I'll open up a topic here !
Good luck with this project, I friggin' fell in love with your car when I took a look at the first picture.
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No way but sideways
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I found your build recently too! ;D Thanks for the info on the parts that fit - I was wondering if 107 engine mount brackets would fit or not but thought they might set the engine too close to the bulkhead (firewall). If this isn't the case then I'll go looking for some.
Nice to know they are available though. 