250 SL restoration - removal of the gear shift cover

[Bobe]

Hi There,

Just returned to the group after a long time of absence. 

I am embarking on a full restoration of my 250 sl of November 1967. The car is currently in a workshop where the engine will be removed, overhauled (luckily not much to do in the engine itself nor on the gear box which are working very well, but a number of things will be done on the water pump, the break power unit, and the aesthetics of the engine, such as light sanding of the manifold, the old Kühlmeister air conditioning (still working though never used and probably lacking some gas – it will be discarded) will be removed, etc – the quote is six page long.) I’ll also be preplacing the original ignition with an electronic one, as the process is reversible.

The priority is to solve the permanent cold start issue I have: it takes long crankings before the engine can run smoothly on idle, and that limits a lot the use I have of the car. I have done a few things, from the filter on the fuel pump to the checks of the CSV and WRD, but to no avail. The workshop thing is a broader issue, also linked to the fine tuning of the engine.

The engine bay will be rust protected and resprayed while the engine is out, as there are light signs of rust there. According to the workshop, the chassis has no corrosion at all.

I will be redoing the interior I have ordered a new soft top (the car is originally a California model, but a soft top was installed after its delivery). The current one is a white and ugly polyester cover which will be replaced by a navy blue Sonnenland® top: I don’t mind changing the colour of the top as it is not original. I have ordered a pre-sewed one and I’ll change it myself as it does not seem too complicated – but happy to exchange with anyone who’s done it before. The seats (replacing the MB tex with leather) and other interior panels will follow.

I have ordered a new floor carpet. I am wondering how to take off the cover for the automatic gear box lever in order to remove and replace the carpet underneath. Any clues welcome!

Also, I will respray the car completely - it was never done before but some points of rust start to appear - I have the code of the body colour (G304, though the G refers to the brand of the initial paint if I'm not mistaken), however I don’t know the original coulour of the front grill: it looks like a dark grey or "pale black" if such a thing exists: what would be the code to choose ?

Many thanks !

[Leester]

"I don’t know the original coulour of the front grill: it looks like a dark grey or "pale black" if such a thing exists: what would be the code to choose?"

If you're asking about the two grilles on either side of the center star, my guess would be that Dunkleblau color which was a very dark gray. I painted mine semi gloss black.

Sounds like an ambitious project! Good luck. Lee

[johnk]

What are they applying to rust protect the engine compartment if I may ask?

[Bobe]

They will first sand it, apply an antirust coat - I can ask which product next time I'm there - and then an epoxy coat before spraying in the body colour.

Thanks to Lee for his suggestion for a semi gloss Dunkelblau for the front grilles (indeed, those on either sides of the mercedes star). It would be a good match with the horizontblau of the body. I have owned this car since 1998, and have finally decided to rejuvenate it (and i have the permission of my wife to do so!)

[DavidAPease]

I do not speak German, but surely "dunkelblau" is dark blue, definitely the wrong color.  I would have said "dunkelgrau" (dark grey), but Achim says that even this is incorrect:

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=21954.msg156800#msg156800

         -David

[DavidAPease]

Bobe,

the old Kühlmeister air conditioning ... will be discarded

Before discarding the original air conditioning system, I'd post on the forum to see if there's interest from anyone in buying it.  I think that Kühlmeister parts can be hard to find, and this could be a treasure for someone.


                -David

[Leester]

oooops, good save on the dunklegrau David, obviously I don't speak, read or spell German either. But I would go with Achim's expertise as well and - black.

[Bobe]

Sure! I'll be happy to give it to whoever might find some use for it.