Vintage & Classic Car Club of Pakistan

[mohsinikram]

@safeershah
dont tell me that you got hold of the 'cuda!!!!!

@wasifali89
I once had a 280 SE W108. I spent a fortune in overhauling its engine only to have the head cracked afer a few months of normal driving. I was so disgusted I sold the car as is where is. I haven't been lucky with German cars. I had a 2 dr Audi 100 5E, fab car till the auto trans broke down. Parts from UAE, 5 attempts by 3 different specialists couldn't put the car back on the road and I had to sell it 'as is where is'. Last but not the least, I had a BMW 730 - fabulous car, great to drive but as soon as I fixed the a/c the engine oil and water got mixed. to cut a long story short, the car had had its block repaired and the mechanic who used to maintain that car for the previous owner questioned me as to why I had to fix the a/c. result- u got it, sold the car 'as is where is'........now dont start thinking that since a German car's reliability and build quality is bulletproof there must be something wrong with me - keep in mind that I have used classic cars as regular transport for the last 25 years. I still take my Lincoln on the highway off Karachi. 4 days a week I do 50 km a day on my Fiat 500. (apologies for the long story)

PUT AN AMERICAN V8 WITH AUTO TRANS AND ENJOY YOUR MB

[mohsinikram]

@wasifali
or if you don't like the rugged performance and sound of an American V8, go for a Toyota Crown or Cressida 3 litre engine. (purists must be cursing me)

[AsadIshaque]

@ aleem 1

I dont want to be a nuisance for you, but if you were in Karachi 'a few months ago' why didnt you contact me like I requested you to??

And please update us on the 60 ragtop.

And would you like the micro to join the ragtop also???

Sorry for sounding blunt, curt and rude but please do consider the offer I gave you in your thread. Or some other line of action perhaps??

[sami_voodoo]

@mohsinikram

Cursing is probably rather mild...They'll probably have a hit out on your head right now! You have effectively advised a newbie to the art of rat-rodding!

Seriously though, I'd personally (if the chance ever presented itself) go for a Toyota 1UZ-FE 4.0 V8 with an auto tranny. Anywhere between 260 to 300 BHP, a smooth shifting 4 or 5 speed, and enough oomph to give boy racers a right scare! Also considering the fact that the engine is one of the lightest V8s available (if not the lightest) so the car's handling balance wouldn't be compromised.

I'd try to avoid the later generations of the same engine, the 4.7 (as in the land cruiser) and the 4.3 (as in the LS / GS 430). They'll surely be newer, but will cost more and are less rugged.

[mohsinikram]

@sami_voodoo
the Toyota engine that you mentioned sounds juicy. Age, space, time and money permitting, I would love to collect engines and hear them run from time to time. Sound is very important for me, it gives a personality to the engine. i wonder if you have Nick Mason's book and audio cd of his cars being started, idling and then racing. The sounds are awesome, specially of the V16 BRM. modern MB's engines dont excite me somehow.

[sami_voodoo]

Oh yes, it's a gem! One of a the very rare engines that came with forged internals as standard. I know, to a person who appreciates originality, it probably doesn't mean too much, but to a modifier, it's a godsend. Even unmodified, it's probably the only engine that can dethrone the BMW / Mercedes pair.

The book's name is "Into the red" isn't it? I have heard of a couple of sound samples from the net. The BRM is absolutely delicious! It's supercharged as well, so it has a really ear-splitting noise that's brutal and beautiful at the same time. Collecting engines isn't a bad idea actually! Although you'll have to have a good test cell to run it safely. But it is a very interesting idea.

[mohsinikram]

@sami_voodoo
whenever I overhaul an engine, I start it up on the floor by giving it a little support on the sides and run it in for a good 10-12 hours before putting it back in the car. I recently did an XK engine and it's sound was brutally overwhelming. Yesterday I started up my Healey 100 2.7 litre engine and it was great to hear it for a few minutes.

yes, the book's name is 'into the red'.

[psyb0rg]

@mohsinikram, what do you use to clean the engine case??

[mohsinikram]

@psyborg
engine case? Are you asking about the 'sump'. Whatever, I am a pretty old school when it comes to maintaining cars or restoring them. We clean the engine with kerosine and petrol. Before refitting the engine, I use about 8 litres of petrol to clean the block, head, crank etc.

[mohsinikram]

@ALL
I 'D LIKE TO CELEBRATE THE SUCCESS OF OUR THREAD....IF I ARRANGE A GTG, ALONG WITH OUR VCCCP MEMBERS & THEIR CARS HOW MANY OF YOU CAN COME....LET ME HAVE THE NAMES AND NUMBERS SO THAT i CAN FORMALLY INVITE EVERYONE. WE CAN DO IT IN THE WEEKEND AFTER 10TH MOHARRAM.

[safeershah]

@mohsin

I cant tell you at this stage, it can be a cuda or it can be a 69 charger

[safeershah]

@wasifali

In my opinion go for 90's era chevy 5.7 litre, they are reliable and they dont have problem of prior engine and cheap to maintain and buy, so look out for an engine from peshawer or you can order somone from Karachi shersha dealer who can bring it for you, Mohsin comments will be highly appreciate

[sami_voodoo]

@safeershah

I'd still go for a Toyota V8. It's lighter, more fuel efficient, and the likelihood of finding parts for it is greater. Rest is upto Wasifali of course, it's he who's paying for it.

[alvis]

Sami

Is the Toyota engine an all alloy, remember reading up an article the jist of which was that the Japanese had still not mastered the art of foundry techniqes required for really thin engine blocks in alloys. This was some years ago so might not be true today. Some more info on this engine welcome.

Mohsin

You just had sheer bad luck with the 108, these were really bulletproof cars on which the reputation of the present and past S class Mercedes saloons has been based. They were and are beautiful and ageless cars and can still stand out in any situation.
The 280 S/SE engine has a fantastic exhaust note, and can top a 100 MPH in third gear. these cars do not need any other engines except the one's they came with.

[psyb0rg]

@mohsinikram, by case I meant the block,heads etc.

[mohsinikram]

@alvis
I agree wth you the 280 S W108 is a very elegant machine. What I did not mention is that my car had been deiselised with a 300D unit. When I went around looking for a replacement head, one common story was that these heads crack easily so there is shortage of heads though engines were available. I would love to own an immaculate 280S with its original twin carb engine and manual transmission.

[spectra]

Please give a tentative idea of dates so i can plan it.

[mohsinikram]

@sami_voodoo
The toyota engine would be great but I wonder if they are available in Pakistan or if you do find one in the scrapyard, would the parts be available. Thanks to the Gulf war, American V8's are plenty available, they are robust, easy on maintenance and sound awesome. Somebody find a '74 Celica and shoehorn the Toyota V8.

[mohsinikram]

The Cadillac and the Chrysler are in Islamabad somewhere. They were originally Karachi cars belonging to Javaid Ibrahim. I think Moin gave me these pictures which he took in 2006 on our i.e. VCCCP trip to Islamabad for the Himalaya Rally. Both these cars were for sale in 2006. I wonder if they were sold.

[romano]

These two American cars are now in new homes, at least I have been told the Caddy is in Peshawar, the Chrysler was last seen at a workshop near Bhara Kahu just outside Islamabad on the Muree road. Its got a 318cid V8. Is it still there? If it is, it would be an ideal project car.
On another note, has anyone picked up the black Dodge Polara in Khi yet?