Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: south280 on December 09, 2019, 20:43:04

Title: Best shop manual for 1968 280 sl?
Post by: south280 on December 09, 2019, 20:43:04
Hi, Can you please recommend the best shop manual for engine repairs for my 68' 280 sl?  Thanks 
Title: Re: Best shop manual for 1968 280 sl?
Post by: JamesL on December 09, 2019, 20:51:50
Hello and welcome
Do a search for Big Blue Book.

It’s that you need
Title: Re: Best shop manual for 1968 280 sl?
Post by: MikeSimon on December 09, 2019, 22:57:47
I am sorry to disagree, but the BBB will not give easy to find, good directions for M130-983 engine repairs. I have both the early and the late version BBB and I find them quite useless. Depending on what your intended repair is, you are probably better off with a "Haynes" manual.
Title: Re: Best shop manual for 1968 280 sl?
Post by: dirkbalter on December 09, 2019, 23:07:43
I am sorry to disagree, but the BBB will not give easy to find, good directions for M130-983 engine repairs. I have both the early and the late version BBB and I find them quite useless. Depending on what your intended repair is, you are probably better off with a "Haynes" manual.

I agree, the Haynes manual is definitely easier for navigation. In addition, my BBB coming from the classic center has missing sections. The online version appears to be more complete.

http://mercedesclubs.de/books/werkstatthandbuecher/WHBab1968/
Title: Re: Best shop manual for 1968 280 sl?
Post by: scoot on December 10, 2019, 15:22:13
The Big Blue Book is just better even if it isn't always easy to use.
Title: Re: Best shop manual for 1968 280 sl?
Post by: MikeSimon on December 10, 2019, 16:51:24
scoot: For you, with a 250SL,  it may be, but the original question was for use regarding engine work on a 280SL, and for that, the BBB is not good enough. Period. I am working on my 71 280SL engine, I have the head off and the BBB is completely useless.
Title: Re: Best shop manual for 1968 280 sl?
Post by: scoot on December 10, 2019, 16:57:44
Your experience and mine are different, and I'm probably looking for different things in the BBB than you are looking for.  A Haynes manual, for example, is not going to tell you the proper way to adjust linkage.
scoot: For you, with a 250SL,  it may be, but the original question was for use regarding engine work on a 280SL, and for that, the BBB is not good enough. Period. I am working on my 71 280SL engine, I have the head off and the BBB is completely useless.
Title: Re: Best shop manual for 1968 280 sl?
Post by: dirkbalter on December 10, 2019, 17:47:40
Well, while we are debating what manual is the best, let’s not forget our own manual and more important the forum with the information and advise provided here is priceless imo. 
Title: Re: Best shop manual for 1968 280 sl?
Post by: MikeSimon on December 10, 2019, 19:37:35
scoot: The question in the first post was very clear and specific. That's why I answered it the way I did. When someone is looking for how to adjust the linkage, I may point him to the BBB....
Title: Re: Best shop manual for 1968 280 sl?
Post by: scoot on December 10, 2019, 20:18:48
scoot: The question in the first post was very clear and specific. That's why I answered it the way I did. When someone is looking for how to adjust the linkage, I may point him to the BBB....
Gee, thanks for the info.