Me and My Mercedes

Remove manifold

Steele — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 01:09:56 GMT

I am removing the intake manifold in order to make a sale. Since I have a seized engine sitting in my green car, this would be a good way to put it to use.

There she is.

So, let's get out the manual ....

... and turn to the proper section, Group 14: "Removal and installation of intake manifold, replacement of gasket," job 450.

The intake manifold, exhaust manifold, and turbo charger all come off together.

First thing to do is to remove the air filter housing. This was tricky, as the air filter was completely tight, and unable to be removed by hand. I don't know if it was the wrong size, or just melded to the housing over time. I had to stick a wrench in the sides of it and pry it off.

The housing looks good, though. I think I might put it on my daily driver, because I did notice that in my daily driver, the center ring is dented in - and now I know why. Whomever tried to remove the air filter pried it out, like I was getting ready to on this one. But I decided to damage the old, dirty air filter instead of damaging the air filter housing. Smart move.

The air filter housing brace was a real bear to get off. It has a nut underneath that can only be reached by an extension.

Once that came off, we were ready to begin removing oil lines, wires, tubes, and such.

Once I got all the fastening nuts off, which are pretty much in a straight line along the top of the manifold (with one or two buried in oil), I had a lot of play, and it seemed like it was ready to come off. But something was holding it that I could not see - and the pic in the manual looks nothing like what I found it to be. A "supporting bracket" which can only be reached by climbing under the car.

I don't have much leverage with my wrench, so I just sprayed some penetrant on it and called it a day. I'll be getting under the car tomorrow to see if I can finish the job.

Mellow Sunday

Steele — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 23:42:35 GMT

Put in a glovebox today. Pulled it out of my parts car, warshed it, and installed it. Now I have a glovebox, and the light works as well! :)

The parts car came with three manuals - one for the engine, and volumes 1 and 2 for the chassis. All I am missing is the transmission manual, which is a 722.120.

My parts car also let me replace the broken fog light, and plastic headlight housings. There is much more I can replace, but I am taking my time and enjoying it.

No heat

Steele — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 18:23:50 GMT

The Defrost went out, so now I have no heat. So the Automatic Climate Control (ACC) repair and restoration is now my top priority. I get started on it this weekend, when the temp will get down to 5° F tonight!

On the plus side, there is still residual heat coming from the dash, as the heating coils are still fed by the engine coolant. And the cabin is well ventilated, so the windows stop being fogged up after a few minutes of driving.

I have some wonderful help from my friends at W116.org. Their experience and knowledge is priceless.

I am also collecting documentation on this system. Mercedes-Benz Service Manuals are of course the best guides to start with, and the Climate Control Manual is available online here:
http://handbook.w116.org/climate_78_3d.htm.

Right now I am in the learning phase, so it's time to just sit down and read and study these manuals. When the car gets back (it's out doing errands), I can physically match the system to what is on the page. Once I have a basic understanding of what things are and how the system works, I can begin to formulate a strategy to repair and restore.

I feel like I purchased the Space Shuttle.

1979

Steele — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 07:50:15 GMT

shakedown 1979
cool kids never have the time
on a live wire right up off the street
you and i should meet

junebug skipping like a stone
with the headlights pointed at the dawn
we were sure we'd never see an end to it all

and i don't even care to shake these zipper blues
and we don't know
just where our bones will rest
to dust i guess
forgotten and absorbed into the earth below

double cross the vacant and the bored
they're not sure just what we have in store
morphine city slippin' dues down to see
that we don't even care as restless as we are

we feel the pull
in the land of a thousand guilts
and poured cement, lamented and assured
to the lights and towns below
faster than the speed of sound

faster than we thought we'd go, beneath the sound of hope
Justine never knew the rules,
hung down with the freaks and ghouls
no apologies ever need be made, i know you better than you fake it

to see that we don't even care to shake these zipper blues
and we don't know just where our bones will rest
to dust i guess
forgotten and absorbed into the earth below
the street heats the urgency of now
as you can see there's no one around

Plan of Attack: Spring, 2012

Steele — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:05:04 GMT

Now that the major repairs are done, so to speak, I can start strategizing my repairs/restoration.

Priority is based on a) damage to the car, and b) comfort while driving. My goal is to have all this done by June 1st, 2012.

There are 4 main jobs that need to be done:

1. Transmission
2. Power windows
3. Climate Control
4. Rust

In that order.

The transmission needs just some minor tweaks and adjustments.

The power windows are all not working.

The climate control has heat only - on defrost.

The rust is through the floor panels, and at other various sites on the car. I plan on welding steel plates to the undercarriage to fix the floor panels.

First

Steele — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 19:23:24 GMT

Here is my list of things to do on this car.

Fix rusted floor panels
Get a transmission dipstick
Adjust throttle linkage
Adjust transmission
Fix Climate Control
Replace rear window
Replace dashboard
Fix intermittent tachometer
Fix power windows
Fix sunroof
Install stereo system
Replace floor mats
Purchase gas pedal
~~Purchase glovebox~~
Replace windshield wipers
~~Purchase front lights plastic housing~~
~~Fix fog lights~~
Replace air filter
Purchase air filter screw-on cap
Purchase fuse box lid
Replace ~~belts~~ and hoses
Fix license plate holder
Fix antenna
Repair or replace carpet under rear window
~~Purchase service manuals~~
~~Purchase car jack and car stands~~
Purchase vacuum tester kit