Auto Transmission Dipstick Cap - Painted or Not?

[JPMOSE]

I have noticed in photos of prized Pagoda restorations, the cap is painted black.  However, I seem to recall photos in early literature that the finish is natural galvanized steel (without cad. plating like the tube is).  What is correct?

Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1987 560SL

[Jonny B]

I have an early 250 and the transmission dipstick cap is clear coat metal. The reference photo of the 280 engine bay, which is from the early 280 catalog (white car) shows a metal cap. I believe the later cars had a black cap.

Here is a link to the reference photo
http://www.ritzsite.demon.nl/280SL/MB280SL.htm
You have to click through a couple of screens but it will take you to the engine shot, or do a search on "engine bay" for the site

Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto

[JPMOSE]

Thanks Jonny...I now see why some are correctly painted black.  I guess this was on late 280SL models.  

Maybe someone can tell us when the black version started?

Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1987 560SL

[Douglas]

quote:Originally posted by Jonny B

I have an early 250 and the transmission dipstick cap is clear coat metal. The reference photo of the 280 engine bay, which is from the early 280 catalog (white car) shows a metal cap. I believe the later cars had a black cap.

Here is a link to the reference photo
http://www.ritzsite.demon.nl/280SL/MB280SL.htm

Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto

Isn't this a 250 SL engine compartment? I seem to recall someone making that point awhile back.

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[JPMOSE]

Interesting point Douglas.  I notice that it has the coolant heater on the intake hose which wasn't on 280SLs.  But it has the later brake Fluid reservoir with duel switches (only on 1968 model year and later).  Maybe this is a 1968 250SL engine compartment (non USA as it doesn't have the fuel cut off solenoid set up).

Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1987 560SL

[Raymond]

J.P. My 280 had the intake heater.  I took it off when I rebuilt the engine because I live in Florida (where it was a magnificent 81 Fahrenheit this sunny February day.

I have seen it on 250s and early 280s like mine.  It was not cast into the manifold as on later 280s.

Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe

[Jonny B]

I guess it is possible, but it is from the 280SL brochure. After 2960 (or close to that number) the 250 SL had a large number of changes that then carried through to the 280.

Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto

[mdsalemi]

I think this is correct:

The automatic transmission filler tube, when original, is CAD plate with a phosphate wash; this is the "gold" color CAD.

Some restorations will re-plate this with zinc, and then a chromate wash, giving it a gold color plate, but different gold.  Experienced Concours judges will be able to tell a zinc-gold from a CAD gold.

The replacement part from MB today is painted a chassis black.

The filler cap on the dipstick, when original, was a CAD plate with no phosphate wash.  That means it is silver in color.

Some restorations will re-plate this in zinc; some in natural zinc which is silver in color,  (but a different color then CAD) others will "throw it in with the rest of the engine bay parts" and give it a gold color, again, usually zinc with a chromate wash.

If I am not mistaken, either current replacements or later model W113's (maybe 1970-1971) had a black PLASTIC top.

Having been through this very issue several times and discussed it several times with experienced Concours judges, I'm fairly certain that what I state here is accurate.  I also lived it: my original tube was replated in zinc during the restoration; replaced with a new black one when the original was cracked (use 2 wrenches!!!); finally replated in gold CAD.  The dipstick top had been incorrectly replated in gold zinc color during the restoration.  This past summer one of our members and friends, Tom Rose, was gracious enough to call me in advance of some real CAD plating and I finally had my dipstick filler top replated in correct silver color CAD.  Because my otherwise "pretty nice" engine bay had these little details incorrect they were always the subject of discussion during judging.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
President, International Stars Section
Mercedes-Benz Club of America

[JPMOSE]

The replacement tube is still gold finish as I just purchased one from MB.

Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1987 560SL

[mdsalemi]

quote:Originally posted by JPMOSE

The replacement tube is still gold finish as I just purchased one from MB.

Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1987 560SL

They either changed it [probably to zinc], but more than likely you got NOS, leftover.  CAD plating is NOT done anymore on the OEM parts.  Hard to say what's in the pipeline.

Not too long ago I bought an official positive battery cable (that real long one) and the date code on the MB parts tag was 1971.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
President, International Stars Section
Mercedes-Benz Club of America

[Bob G]

I am looking at an early 280SL cataloge, the one with a picture of the engine and the DB 180 silver 280SL. Am I correct or not to say it looks like their is some instruction decal in the circle of the Transmission dip stick.
Does anyone have one that is readable?  I have seen the replacement black plastic one. Do you get dinged by a Mercedes-Benz judge if you do not have the right cad palated dip stick vs the replacment black top dipstick?
What about oil dip  sticks early ones are they availible anymore, are they the same as an SE sedan engine same year 1967 -1968?

Bob Geco