[W126 Coupe] Camshaft replacement

[Dawid Loubser]

Hi Andrew,

What model / year / mileage is your car? (sorry if I missed this  
earlier)
If it's a very tattered, pre-1985 380 or 500, I can see that it may  
or may not be
worth it to you (depending on how sentimentally attached you are to  
your car) but,
if you consider how infrequently this major work is needed to sustain  
an otherwise
bulletproof, amazingly built car which will surely appreciate in  
value in coming
years, I would gladly pay EUR 1500 to give my SEC's engine a new  
lease on life
(for he next couple of decades...:-) if it needed it.

If your car is cosmetically sound, I can't think of anybody here that  
would
discourage you from putting the money and effort into maintaining  
your SEC.

I am not a complete stranger to mechanicals, but when the time comes  
for my
car, I will certainly best leave a camshaft replacement to an  
experienced mechanic -
the potential cost of a mistake is simply too high! (and it's my  
daily driver).

On the other hand, as was already mentioned, the expertise is  
certainly available
here to guide you in doing it yourself, but be prepared for a lot of  
patience and
care...!



On 24 Jun 2008, at 2:07 nm., Andrew Sporner wrote:


> I see you took magic in the spirit intended ;-)

>

> I had a price here of EUR 1500 to do this and was advised not

> to do it on account of the value of the car itself.

>

> I am rather torn on this---but if I figure I do anything to the motor

> it is something

> that can be salvaged into another car later if the body is too far  

> gone.

>

> Ideas?

>

>

> Andy

>

> On 6/24/08, Pete Williams <hwilliamsjr2 at cox.net> wrote:

>> Andy,

>> Cam timing marks are already there. There is a lot more "magic"  

>> involved. At

>> least two special tools, spring compressor and offset hex head  

>> wrench. Don't

>> try to just get by. There is the danger of the threads coming out  

>> with the

>> bolts. Half of the bolts go into the head, half are head bolts  

>> entering the

>> block at approximately 1-1/2 degrees off perpendicular. Get all  

>> new rockers.

>> You'll need at least an oiler kit, very inexpensive. It'll be a  

>> good time

>> for a timing chain and tensioner if they haven't been replaced in  

>> recent

>> memory. If you do end up with tread problems, then you'll have to  

>> be a

>> magician to master all of the "magic" involved. Make sure no  

>> washers, bolts,

>> master links, or loose timing chain ends fall into the engine  

>> where the

>> timing chains enter. Remove the plugs for easy engine rotation. In  

>> case the

>> chain jumps on the other head, it's best to remove all of the  

>> rockers. If

>> you do decide to do it yourself, there are a lot more "tricks"  

>> involved but

>> there are a lot of magicians on this forum to help you. It's all  

>> possible

>> and can be very rewarding, but there can be a lot of frustration too.

>> Good luck,

>> Pete Williams

>> 1972 350SL 4.5

>> 1983 500 SEC AMG

>> 1984 500 SEL (parts)

>> MBCA, Central Oklahoma Section

>>

>> -----Original Message-----

>> From: mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com [mailto:mbcoupes- 

>> bounces at mbcoupes.com]

>> On Behalf Of Andrew Sporner

>> Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 2:54 AM

>> To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists

>> Subject: [W126 Coupe] Camshaft replacement

>>

>> I am told that the right camshaft needs to be eventually replaced

>> (makes a clacking sound when the motor is cold and their are grooves

>> on one of the cams)  They tell me that the car can go up to 50K  

>> Kilometers

>> more without problems -- or die next week.

>>

>> Can anybody suggest the level of difficulty.  I am not foreign to  

>> working

>> on cars (rebuilt the motor on my 1976 Ford mustang -- though  

>> admittedly

>> I sent the top-head away to get remachined).

>>

>> I suppose you just have to mark the gears on the timing chain and  

>> just

>> replace?  Or is there more magic involved?

>>

>> Andy

>> The MB Coupes Website!

>> W126 SEC Mailing List

>> Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.

>>

>>

>> The MB Coupes Website!

>> W126 SEC Mailing List

>> Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.

>>

> The MB Coupes Website!

> W126 SEC Mailing List

> Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.