W113 Pagoda SL Group > W11x chassis cars

1964 300SE Coupe in storage

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RoyB:
Greetings all.
I have a 1963 230SL and was asked by a friend to visit one of his friends who has a 1964 300SE Coupe that has been sitting in the garage for at least 12 years.  The body is clean and straight, with no rust.  As expected, the tires are flat, and there is dust on everything.  The owner has asked is I would be interested in trying to get the car running again.  He wants to ride in in one more time, so that gives you an idea of his mental and physical state of health.  My 230SL has not been the first Mercedes I have owned, nor will it be the last.  With that said, I have plenty of manuals and repair books, but it seems that the W112 - 300 Engine series are very exclusive, and seemingly harder to find parts for. 
My plan - if I move forward is this.
1.  Put the car on Jack stands
2.  Remove the spark plugs and squirt oil into the cylinders
3.  Remove the valve cover and inspect the timing chain and gears, then pour some oil down the passages.
3.  Using a socket (22 or 24mm if I remember correctly) turn the engine over to see if it is free.
4.  If the engine turns over manually using the socket, focus on the fuel system.
5.  Remove the old fuel by draining the tank.
6.  Pour in a a little fuel to flush any other contaminants from the tank, while cleaning the filter.
7.  Put in a few gallons of clean, ethanol free, premium fuel.
8. Install battery and turn on the key to verify the fuel pump works.
9.  If the fuel pump works, put in new spark plugs, gap the dual point system, and drain the oil.
10.  Install new fuel and oil filters and change the oil.
11.  Try to start the engine

If I accept the request to get this car running, what I am getting myself into?
The car in near my home in Inman, SC.  Thanks

wwheeler:
I think I would also focus on the brakes. Won't be a good ride if you can't stop. Is this 4 wheel disc?  At least change the fluid and hoses.

What about auto trans, power steering, engine coolant and more importantly the air bags for the suspension? Not sure how the bags fair being collapsed for 12 years. Not sure what vintage IP that is. If there is a dipstick in the back, drain the oil and put new in.

Vander:
I have a 1964 300SE Lang , and I think your list is a great start! Once you get it running, hopefully the air suspension raises and stays up. Another thing, does he want to just go around the block, or does the car need to drive at freeway speeds across town? More work is involved for that.

RoyB:
Thanks wwheeler and Vander.  I am going to meet with the owner tomorrow to discuss his expectations.
If I get involved, I suspect I will try to get the engine running.
If the engine starts, then I will focus on the driveline, suspension, brakes and tires.

Bonnyboy:
Be very careful - that is the kind of car that will steal your heart -  the last time I got a vehicle running for someone I fell in love with it and ended up buying the darn thing.   

Good luck.

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