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.
