Author Topic: Dropping the engine  (Read 3506 times)

col320ce

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Dropping the engine
« on: January 02, 2021, 23:34:11 »
I'm painting the car and want to remove the engine.  I have a car lift so I thought it would be easier and safer to drop the engine rather than pull it out the top.  Can I just confirm that this is the correct way to do this?

Remove all things attached to the engine.
Remove the steering attachments (yellow circles) ... car should be fine to be raised on the hoist for this.
Place car so wheels are on ground and remove the suspension parts (accessed from the engine bay) red circles.
Remove transmission mount plate and decouple from drive shaft (can any of this be done with the car raised?)
remove the 4 large bolts (red circles)
Slowly raise the car leaving the engine and front wheels etc on the ground (with a support under the trans).

Thanks for any guidance!
Col

1964 230SL
1965 250SE coupe
1993 320CE Sportline

Garry

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Re: Dropping the engine
« Reply #1 on: January 03, 2021, 00:37:22 »
This is how mine was put back in from under as a complete unit.
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, 213 Leather, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G Blue Grey
2005 MB A200.
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 with Slide-on camper.
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Rolf-Dieter ✝︎

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Re: Dropping the engine
« Reply #2 on: January 03, 2021, 01:13:17 »
Col, go to Pagoda Notes, Volume 6 Issue 2 there you will find an article about dropping the engine. Some of our most Knowledge Members have shared this article and it should help you in the task. Let me know if you need help locating the Pagoda Notes volume. (I will post you the link as a PM since it is only for our Full Members).

Good Luvk

Dieter
DD 2011 SL 63 AMG and my 69 Pagoda 280 SL

col320ce

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Re: Dropping the engine
« Reply #3 on: January 03, 2021, 03:30:35 »
Hi Garry and dieter
The pagoda notes article is about pulling it our the top... I wanted to pull it out underneath like Garry's.
Col

1964 230SL
1965 250SE coupe
1993 320CE Sportline

Garry

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Re: Dropping the engine
« Reply #4 on: January 03, 2021, 12:35:10 »
Col,


Reinhard Klavers did mine out at Croydon.  His son Michael is also a member here.


Garry
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, 213 Leather, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G Blue Grey
2005 MB A200.
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 with Slide-on camper.
2022 Volvo XC40 Twin Electric

col320ce

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Re: Dropping the engine
« Reply #5 on: January 03, 2021, 20:20:55 »
Thanks for the tip Garry. I'm using Paint and Custom Workshop in Thornbury. They specialise in Porsches but I think they'll do a good job with the pagoda. I'm stripping it all in my garage and we'll get it there on a truck.

I'm still a little unsure how to remove the springs. I have disconnected the drive shaft, disconnected the steering attachments.

 I think I now simply disconnect the crossmember mounting bolts/plate and the 2 bolts attaching the stabiliser bar and raise the car body from leaving the engine on the ground. The spring I think just come loose this way.

Is this correct?
« Last Edit: January 03, 2021, 20:44:08 by col320ce »
Col

1964 230SL
1965 250SE coupe
1993 320CE Sportline

Dave H

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Re: Dropping the engine
« Reply #6 on: January 04, 2021, 14:19:58 »
Fitted mine from beneath too.
Mercedes 250SL    1967
Mercedes 250SLK  2014
Alfa Romeo 166 3.2 Ti
Fiat 500

Dave H

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Re: Dropping the engine
« Reply #7 on: January 04, 2021, 14:24:32 »
Another
Mercedes 250SL    1967
Mercedes 250SLK  2014
Alfa Romeo 166 3.2 Ti
Fiat 500

RAY

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Re: Dropping the engine
« Reply #8 on: January 04, 2021, 18:13:08 »
Very nice engine and nice set up Dave with the lift.

Keeping that floor clean as well.

Ray

getsmart

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Re: Dropping the engine
« Reply #9 on: January 08, 2021, 00:34:12 »
Hi Col,

I guess you know that you don't need to remove the springs to drop the motor and subframe in one go. But if you need to remove the springs for other reasons I recently rebuilt my subframe and I used long 10mm threaded bar. Its a slow way but SAFE - I removed a bolt each side of the inner pivot bolts/arms (there are 2 each side). Replaced with the threaded rod and slowly undid the rod and existing bolts.

If you want to do it with subframe and wheels still on the car then you do it with the car on the ground and place a trolley jack under the lower wishbone and then undo the rear pivot arms/bolts ensuring that you have enough clearance. Some might use a bottle jack. The spring uncompressed is around 280mm from memory plus the rubber rings add another ~25mm,

Rgds, Joe
Finding the red car
1964 230sl Restoration Project

col320ce

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Re: Dropping the engine
« Reply #10 on: January 08, 2021, 04:52:19 »
Thanks Joe... All out... Really easy.
I removed the steering attachments, sway bar nuts, prop shaft attachement. Supported the trans and removed the subframe mounts (4 bolts) and the shocker nut.
Col

1964 230SL
1965 250SE coupe
1993 320CE Sportline

getsmart

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Re: Dropping the engine
« Reply #11 on: January 08, 2021, 06:03:41 »
Too good Col!! Glad to hear!!  ;D
Be good to see it in new paint and back in its original colour.

Thanks Joe... All out... Really easy.
I removed the steering attachments, sway bar nuts, prop shaft attachement. Supported the trans and removed the subframe mounts (4 bolts) and the shocker nut.
Finding the red car
1964 230sl Restoration Project

Garry

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Re: Dropping the engine
« Reply #12 on: January 08, 2021, 06:54:26 »
Good news, looking forward to seeing this work in progress one day. Maybe it needs to be a Saturday apagoda coffee run?


Garry
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, 213 Leather, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G Blue Grey
2005 MB A200.
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 with Slide-on camper.
2022 Volvo XC40 Twin Electric

col320ce

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Re: Dropping the engine
« Reply #13 on: January 08, 2021, 08:57:22 »
Pagoda run sounds great... Might have to drive the 250SE though unless I Flintstone it ;D
Col

1964 230SL
1965 250SE coupe
1993 320CE Sportline

getsmart

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Re: Dropping the engine
« Reply #14 on: January 08, 2021, 11:01:01 »
I've been on the pagoda run in my 2006 S211 wagon - holding up the tail - was a gorgeous day  :)
Your 250 SE wouldn't look out of place!!!
Finding the red car
1964 230sl Restoration Project

Benz Dr.

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Re: Dropping the engine
« Reply #15 on: January 08, 2021, 14:32:24 »
I would only do it this way if I was doing a full restoration.  I've done it both ways and find that dropping the engine in from above to be much preferred.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

Duncan200

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Re: Dropping the engine
« Reply #16 on: January 09, 2021, 10:03:34 »
Hey Garry,

Is a CLK430 or SQ7 allowed to the Saturday Coffee Run?

My 113 is in almost the same state as Cols at this present time.

Doug.
1966 MB 230SL DB 717 4sp Australian Delivered Matching Numbers Car. One day it will be back on the road in all its glory.
2000 MB CLK430 Convertible
2001 Nissan 200SX Spec S
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Garry

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Re: Dropping the engine
« Reply #17 on: January 09, 2021, 20:51:09 »
Duncan, 
The coffee runs have always been a super casual affair when someone makes the effort to arrange a run somewhere. You can bring any car, it’s normally just a group of Pagoda owners chewing the fat and comparing notes.  There is usually a couple that don’t bring Pagodas.


We are always looking for somewhere to go so so maybe we come look at your project!!!


Garry
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, 213 Leather, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G Blue Grey
2005 MB A200.
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 with Slide-on camper.
2022 Volvo XC40 Twin Electric

Duncan200

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Re: Dropping the engine
« Reply #18 on: January 10, 2021, 00:10:53 »
Hi Garry,

Anyone is more than welcome to come and have a look at my pile of parts (otherwise known as a 230SL).

It would be great to meet everyone from Melbourne and it’s surrounds.

I’d love to hear people’s advice, comments, suggestions or perhaps more importantly offer me some emotional counselling and support to overcome the challenges of the next year or so of my life😂.

Doug
1966 MB 230SL DB 717 4sp Australian Delivered Matching Numbers Car. One day it will be back on the road in all its glory.
2000 MB CLK430 Convertible
2001 Nissan 200SX Spec S
2019 Audi SQ7 Special Edition

Rick Katucki

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Re: Dropping the engine
« Reply #19 on: January 16, 2021, 18:56:35 »
Curious as to why Dr. Benz prefers R&R the engine from the top.   I never considered dropping the engine from below before I saw this thread.  I am getting ready to pull mine to address oil leaks and it looked like it might be easier to take it out from the bottom since I have access to a lift.
Rick Katucki
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Idaho, USA

MikeSimon

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Re: Dropping the engine
« Reply #20 on: January 16, 2021, 20:47:35 »
For an amateur wrencher with limited tools/equipment and environment, taking the engine in and out the top with a crane (Harbour Freight $120.-) is much easier and less efoort.
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Benz Dr.

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Re: Dropping the engine
« Reply #21 on: January 16, 2021, 21:39:14 »
Curious as to why Dr. Benz prefers R&R the engine from the top.   I never considered dropping the engine from below before I saw this thread.  I am getting ready to pull mine to address oil leaks and it looked like it might be easier to take it out from the bottom since I have access to a lift.

Once you do it a couple of times you'll see why. The subframe has to be pulled into place and it's not worth all of the effort when it's not necessary.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC