Restoration of my fin tail Mercedes Benz

[VEEeight]

Haven't used iPad, so don't know how to rotate the pics... In Windows its very easy...
Pics are actually in this orientation (like you have uploaded), your device automatically rotate it for your viewing convenience.. next time hold/rotate the camera to 90 degrees.. if you were holding it vertically, try taking pics horizontally or vice versa.. I hope it will resolve the problem.. otherwise send the pics to me, I will send back to you with correct orientation..

Thankyou for your response. What I can't figure out is why do some pictures just rotate themselves whist others don't! Most pics I have taken with the fone in the vertical position. I edit them all once they are transferred onto the iPad but then seem to change direction at will. I wonder if there is anyway I can straighten them by editing the posts themselves.

[VEEeight]

To install the FD, it first requires careful calibration on a test bench - and after verifying that the fuel pumps can flow the correct volume and also pressure (including holding pressure) - trying to adjust it without tools is about as good as trying to paint a 1/2 inch wide line with a 5 inch wide brush. (in short - it wont happen)

and to change the steering to rack n pinion - you can kiss your entire car good bye, the tie rod angles actually push/pull the wheels from an angle a bit ahead of the wheel knuckle, If you somehow jam a rack in there and somehow jerry rig convoluted tie rods - the car will have the turning radius of the moon and will respond to input in geological time. And getting it aligned would be visiting hell and its darkest alley too. the huge caster angle really messes with everything.

To make better return of money - either get a proper CIS service book and rework the whole system, its systematic and requires a documented approach - or remake the 1UZ exhaust manifold to exhaust at the front and then make it bend back and use a proper crossover pipe to extract the most power - use lacquer to find out the exact point where the cross over should be placed.

Hello! We did all that....or at least tried to. Unfortunately couldn't get very far for more reasons than I can remember now. The other problem was that at some point the engine had suffered from oil starvation and one of the camshafts got scarred and the resulting ticking noise was not "palatable"! The oil pump had become worn out and have never been one for fixing one of THOSE so all in all it wasn't looking good as far as driving the car was concerned! Another engine was on offer but the original looked better and by now that wasnt saying much.

As for the steering, I don't really have much of a choice, the original box had too much play which was only marginally fixed. If I had not had it removed the engine conv would have to b given up on. I have noted your concerns and will try to minimize them. As long as I don't need a football field to turn the thing around in.............

Cheers!

[VEEeight]

for a toyota powered car - its downright strange and obtuse not to choose a toyota product. What you are doing will result is that you end up with a facsimile copy of a car that was once very good.

There is a reason mercedes benz is called "made like no other car in the world"

i generally subscribe to this view point also. Most of my cars, incl the mercs that I have are absolutely stock. That is because the cars are such that tinkering around with them wouldn't make them any better! This old bird however, could do with an under the skin makeover because it had been quite messed around with before I got it. As an example, the air suspension had been taken out which was a shame but am told the bellows had just given up!

I agree that it's quite an off putting sight to see a non merc engine in one, but this time around, the devil is doing his job well by leading me "astray" . I am sure that wen this car takes up its place amongst its siblings, it will be mocked, but the am hoping it will be able to hold its own!

For that alone this indiscretion will have been worth it !

[VEEeight]

Sorry. But I have to disagree on that score, @Xulfiqar. Were this a Bugatti, or a Rolls, or a Ferrari (whose value and novelty actually hinges upon its originality and rarity), I'd strongly urge the owner to "stick to stock". However, this is not one of those cars.

These affairs become a matter of individual preference (notably, the owner's), availability of parts, logistic 'doability' and technical feasibility of the rebuild team. Something which is bothersome or worrisome or irritating, can (and should, in my opinion) be swapped with something better, which provides ease of use and peace of mind.

I have a '67 Impala which I lovingly rebuilt to stock (at considerable cost), and it drove like a horse-drawn funeral hearse. Like an absolute dog. Pedestrian, noisy, temperamental, and a complete and utter pain in the behind. And no...contrary to popular belief, a temperamental car is NOT a quaint, adorable, quirky feature to admire. The car is now getting a Toyota transplant (1UZ-FE VVTi), and I'm certain that I'll be very happy with it, indeed...since I plan to rack up mile after mile after mile in it. Were it to sit pretty in a glass cage, and be used on 14th August every year only, on the other hand, the stock setup might've been just fine. I WILL keep the 350 small block V8 in storage, should I choose to go the "stock" route again...but I very much doubt I'm ever going to use it. Perhaps my son might, if he has better tech skills, better access to parts, and plans on making the Impala a museum piece at any point in time.

@VEEeight: You're absolutely right about the 1UZ (even the 3rd Gen) giving more power (260 bhp over 247 bhp) than the 6.3L V8 that powered the 300SEL 6.3 and made it the fastest production sedan in the world for very many years. This is very much Q-Car territory. Personally, I think it would be a beautiful sight (and sound) to watch a big bruiser like your Merc, take off into warp-drive from the traffic lights!

Just my two cents. Thumbs up, whichever way you decide to go.

Hello Fouad. Good to hear from you again. Am following your impala rebuild very keenly
Am afraid I have already acquired the 3rd gen 1UZ with all the ancillaries AND it is sitting in the car. To be honest I didn't think of the VVTi as I wasn't looking to spend that kind of money and this engine was available at a price and terms that were just too good to resist. I wil however keep an eye out for the VVTi as a possible and worthy upgrade for the LS400 that I have

As for the decision to swap engines in the 109, it was very much a spur of the moment thing ; was getting fed up with the car looking good but driving like a bullock cart.....without the damn bullock!! Also I must confess to not being too much of a Puritan I have a series 2 Daimler XJ6 which was all stock and I kept it that way for a number of years till the cylinder head got to the point that overheating had become a standard feature! I had read about conv of these cars in the Middle East and hey presto....about 8 years ago the car got a stock 350 with tranny in it which makes it actually run better and smoother and the v8 wooffle is preferable to the CD player! The number of "car enthusiasts" who think its the original fit has to be seen to be believed even tho one manifold had had to be fabricated for the exhaust to be from the front of the engine and the pipe to then come back over it! This was done to avoid cutting the bulkhead.

will keep u guys posted on how this one turns out.

Cheers! And once again, thankyou for the interest you are taking in this!

[Xulfiqar]

sounds like someone had their sweet time with mutilating this car.

[VEEeight]

sounds like someone had their sweet time with mutilating this car.

"Mutilation" is putting it a bit strongly as no alterations were carried out to the body at all. Everything has been done so that should it become an option, all can be reverted back to original. I like to USE these cars on a practical basis, not just as posers and in the absence of parts availability and / or price considerations, this was the way to go. There are too many schools of thought to be able to appeal to all of them, so it's best to go down the road that appeals the most!

[Xulfiqar]

mutilation as in not by you but the previous owners

[VEEeight]

mutilation as in not by you but the previous owners

yes, am afraid that's true but being the relatively rare long wheelbase model, a W109, and ironically having full paperwork incl the ORIGINAL handbook and service records, was prepared to put up with it's shortcomings:) I don't think there are more than about 6 in the entire country!

[VEEeight]

In the meantime the never ending paintwork continues on the fintail.....as old age sets in!! Talk about tedious! But can't rush it either.

[Xulfiqar]

one who knows what these are know the value - for someone else its a "cheel marsedeez" - perfect for toieta 2L deezal injun, mistimed and leaking to hell to boot too.

Have you considered putting it up on a rotiserrie? and getting some body cavity wax and rust treatment to spray inside the body panels

[VEEeight]

one who knows what these are know the value - for someone else its a "cheel marsedeez" - perfect for toieta 2L deezal injun, mistimed and leaking to hell to boot too.

Have you considered putting it up on a rotiserrie? and getting some body cavity wax and rust treatment to spray inside the body panels

Haha! Yes, plenty of those around also! Interesting, your mentioning rust treatment at this juncture of the resto', don't have access to a rotisserie but the floorpan will be subjected to an application of a rubber compound as will the insides of the doors and the sills and a layer of what is called "auto shield" to the inner wings. This also acts as insulation and "rattle-suppressant "

[Xulfiqar]

the rubberised treatment is a covering, you need a rust converter and then a creeping solution, thats what body wax is for, you can buy it (MB have their part no. for it) or you can make your own home brewed solution. You can then spray it in with long wands - it is also sprayed in the small rubber plugged holes you see in the body nearly everywhere.

The rubber treatment is best left to only the underside of the floor and wheel wells - only after the rust is treated - leaving it untreated would cause the rust to quietly eat the metal away.

[VEEeight]

the rubberised treatment is a covering, you need a rust converter and then a creeping solution, thats what body wax is for, you can buy it (MB have their part no. for it) or you can make your own home brewed solution. You can then spray it in with long wands - it is also sprayed in the small rubber plugged holes you see in the body nearly everywhere.

The rubber treatment is best left to only the underside of the floor and wheel wells - only after the rust is treated - leaving it untreated would cause the rust to quietly eat the metal away.

yes, in the old days used to use Waxoyl which u used to work a treat ! Will look into this bec I agree, a rust inhibitor is required. This is over 47 years of metal and suffers from fatigue am sure, so it has to be given a new lease of life. Speaking of the rubber treatment, a blow torch is used after application to push into all the nooks n crannies. Thanks for the tip

[Xulfiqar]

you can still buy waxoyl - but sadly not in Pakistan because it has zero usage, sheeple love to spray used engine oil thinking is great. Best get a gallon of it shipped, 3M also sell a similar product and also adapter wands for spray guns.

The oriignal wax treatment on these old MBs were super heavy - as in sprayed everywhere. after about 45 years it must have turned to dust.

[w202]

mashaALLAH lovely project i am watching ur progress closely... my advice would be rather than installing lexus etc.. get mercedes V8 from here in UK and send it to pak i think it will suit the car best... i hope xulfiqar bhai can put more light into this as he has more knowledge.. swapping a non merc engine will.. ruin the integrity of the car......... lots of restoration here bmw merc old ones.. they swap them with new engines... and its gives the car more edge.. i hope u understand where i am coming from.. here is my colour choice for your merc. i hope u like it..

[w202]

[VEEeight]

you can still buy waxoyl - but sadly not in Pakistan because it has zero usage, sheeple love to spray used engine oil thinking is great. Best get a gallon of it shipped, 3M also sell a similar product and also adapter wands for spray guns.

The oriignal wax treatment on these old MBs were super heavy - as in sprayed everywhere. after about 45 years it must have turned to dust.

No sign of any rust treatment on it now. Unfortunately the garage where I saw the car and picked it up from is known not only for "mutilation" but for the "miracles" they pull off on bodywork.! If u go thru the pics you'll see how they sorted out the bootlid after what must have been a rear end shunt. Yes Waxoyl is not available here but have spoken to a friend in the paint ind and he offered to get me the equivalent.

[VEEeight]

mashaALLAH lovely project i am watching ur progress closely... my advice would be rather than installing lexus etc.. get mercedes V8 from here in UK and send it to pak i think it will suit the car best... i hope xulfiqar bhai can put more light into this as he has more knowledge.. swapping a non merc engine will.. ruin the integrity of the car......... lots of restoration here bmw merc old ones.. they swap them with new engines... and its gives the car more edge.. i hope u understand where i am coming from.. here is my colour choice for your merc. i hope u like it..

Thankyou , good to know u r "watching" . The engine swap relates to another car, a 1972 300SEL 3.5 which originally is a V8 anyway. Whist I wholeheartedly agree with what u say, in that particular case I was just not being able to get it sorted for a number of reasons. So I opted for making it a bit of a Q-car which hopefully it will be! THIS particular car came with an engine out of a W116 280S which should do fine. Have not finalized the color yet. The one u have sent, have already used it on a 380SEL that I have!

[VEEeight]

First of all AGAIN apologies for some pics being the wrong way around, can't seem to get around that.......work is progressing, hard to believe its taken 4 months to get this far and apart from routine stoppages, work HAS been continuing. The bootlid has been removed to facilitate work on the boot floor. The engine bay is coming along also. Pic are also showing progress around the door sills and the body in general. Am told it all comes to he who waits..............

[VEEeight]

Another diversion from the Fintail saga. Am happy to report that the 1UZ has successfully been installed and fired up in the 109. So far it's looking good. The engine note is absolutely amazing:) still lots of loose ends to tie up tho!