Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes => Topic started by: ukdavo on November 24, 2021, 04:05:44
-
Hello. 1st post here, from Oregon, USA. I just picked up a '79 280SL, 4 speed, european origin car. Very clean, has sat for 10 + years (luckily under cover). Odo says 64K. I started it before purchase, ran poorly on fresh gas, put out a lot of grey smoke, but what the hey. This car is CLEAN. Good oil pressure, no coolant leaks, brakes work (already changed brake fluid). In my shop now; blew out plug wells, pulled plugs. Had Bosch Platinum W9s, on cyl #3 the center electrode is gone. Compression test: 145-150 except for cyl #3 (125psi) and cyl#4 (110). I still have to do a test with oil on the 2 bad cylinders. I don't have a leakdown test setup, but I'm thinking that no matter what the head's going to have to come off. Questions are: What else should I consider servicing while the head is off? What is a good source stateside for QUALITY parts (gasket sets, chain tensioners, seals, valves, guides)? Any other words of wisdom? My only previous MB experience was an '82 380SL - great car, hence taking the plunge on this one. Thanks.
David
61 Mk2 Jag
'92 Saab 900 Convert
& other assorted old metal.
-
Hi David - you may get some responses, but just note that 'our' 280 SLs stop in 1971. Ours is the W113 series, yours the successor (R107 series).
-
Thanks. This site seems much better and more robust than any other, so I figured I'd try anyway.
I did the oil test on the two bad cylinders and compression went up to 150 on both of them. The engine's going to have to come out...still going to need reliable parts sources. Happy Turkey Day!
-
You could look at the Suppliers List that our members use for the W113 as they will probably be suppliers of MB parts for the 107 as well..
https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Suppliers/Start
Garry
Membership Admin.
-
Thanks Garry. Got it bookmarked. David