@mohsin. Smart observation as the hood is shut!!! Unfortunately the original petrol engine was chucked out by the previous owner and replaced with a 2c diesel. Original engines are hard to find in good condition, so we later went for a 3c. At one point I thought the engine story was posted here just in case it was not it is attached below.
The development on buying an engine for my MB finally started. My good friend Jeepaholic stood by my through the entire process and frankly this work could not have been done without him. The engine was bought from Pindi. We had a few options, we went of the 3-CT diesel. It cost Rs.37,000.00. There are additional costs related to this such as new parts, for instance timing belt, filters ect. We found a mechanic and the work started. As soon
as the engine was received it was discovered that the engines oil pan would touch the axel rod so it needed to be modified. This MB had a 2-C engine installed in it previously. I recovered the old oil pan from the 2-C engine which had already been modified and that did fit.
But we have now decided not to use the 2-C oil pan as its capacity is 4 liters of oil whereas the new engine pan takes more oil. We will now try to modify the new pan. While we take great pride in any work that is related to
engines, and would consider it duty we usually manage to mix business and pleasure. And here pleasure for us is food, and knickknacks. The first plate Jeepaholic introduced me to, was a huge meatball Kashmiri dish in soup. Lovely, finger licking good, found in one of the winding tiny roads of the pindi bazaar. Done with the feast it was time to wash our hands clean of the
soupy dish, here he showed me another trick. After you wash your hands keep some water in the right hand shut the water tap with your left hand and drain the contained water in the right hand over the left hand this way the particles collected on the left hand while closing the tap would be removed. (Tricky at first but once you get the hang of it, works brilliantly. Jeepaholic is big on hygiene, this idea was however short-lived as after a
couple of hours he was enjoying a ‘muli’ washed in plastic container which contained coins, who know just how many hands they have been through. We had
a good laugh, got the spare parts and went back to the mechanic. He now wanted a new clutch plate as the one we had bought had small groves and we required one with 10 large groves in the center area which meets the shaft. We bought two clutch plates and brought them back, a new one and an old clutch plate we found at the scrappers with 10 large groves. The old plate
worked however it required a new leather belt. By this time it was around 5.00 pm and the mechanic wanted more money to do the engine. We told the mechanic to discuss the payment issue upon our return. We went over the clutch plate leather ‘wala’ and in his shop under a market staircase measuring perhaps 10X4 feet he took the old leather strap off the clutch plate, polished it and put a new one in. During this time Jeepaholic decided
to have a tall glass of orange juice. Again we were in disagreement in the way the glasses were washed. A point to note here is that we both love food
and nothing like eating by the road side, in fact I have had the best food on the road, but the dishes should be marginally clean, specially after the hand washing lesson. The clutch plate process was perhaps the most exciting
part of the entire procedure. I really enjoyed the simplicity with which this technical work was done.
The time had come to negotiate with the mechanic and although we were not up for his blackmail, mainly because he wanted to corner us once the engine was
open, in the interest of time we thought that by giving him a little extra our work would be done faster. The mechanic has agreed to continue work and
I shall duly report on the remaining progress by the end of next week……………………………. As always your suggestions are welcome.
Part II.....
The engine was installed. Jeepaholic had a made to measure radiator fabricated from Pindi. We placed the battery and the moment of truth came. I had my reservations about the gearbox; it’s a MB original and was not sure if it would work with our 3CT engine. Anyhow I wanted Jeepaholic to have the honor of the first ride. The clutch shifted the gear like butter and the jeep moved. Relief!!! The engine roared, to us jeep lovers it was melodious. As the sun had set it was dark and the electrical work had not been completed. The MB was to be driven without light. So we decided that I would drive in Jeepaholic’s car to provide us with the road light.
Shifting between gears we could not get much speed. Our thought was to get the great box changed. We soon found out that the 4X4 gear was set in. As soon as the gear lever was returned to its normal position it worked beautifully. It still will not give you top speed but the gear ratio would be amazing for off road trips. We parked the MB and called it a day!
The next morning I went hunting for a good electrician. All the wiring had to be done. The generator was to be connected. Ignition, lights the entire electrical works needed to be re-done. We asked the electrician to pull the old wiring out and had it replaced. It took hours. To keep warm as it was getting cold we went for a walk, the fresh smell of “afghani tikkas” lured us to the restaurant nearby. After feasting we had a slice of ‘baklawa’ each with some tea to wash it down. Energized we went back to the MB.
Most of the work was done. The electrician was paid. I was to drive my MB home. As I stepped on the gas the fan whistled and my love for the MB was confirmed.
I got up early the following morning. The day’s agenda was to get the silencer fixed and a battery box made. I got the silencer done. And the MB drove better or so I think …. One thing is for sure it is a head turner. I could not resist a little off road in the greenbelt area which now is unfortunately being converted to a road……. I am back in Lahore but the MB needs a few more things. An air filter, fuel filter assembly, battery, box, radiator restraints, fan shield and most importantly the vehicle needs to be balanced. Will report on that and more. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. I would highly recommend the 3-CT on this vehicle.
Finally my special thanks to Jeepaholic who will hopefully get an MB soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There is a part III to the story as well. If interested let me know and I shall post it.
