[W126 Coupe] Camshaft replacement

[Andrew Sporner]

BTW: It never had A/C

On 6/24/08, Andrew Sporner <asporner at googlemail.com> wrote:

> Hi Dawid,

>

> Its a 1982 500 SEC with 340,000 Kms.  Big things wrong with it:

>

>     - no A/C

>     - Bad headliner.

>     - Driver side seat has rips.

>     - Doors are not really good on the bottoms.

>     - small rust areas on top left of trunk.

>     - Rust areas on wheel wells.

>     - Clutch on motor fan is siezed (engaged all the time).

>

> Other than that -- no problems.  Starts on the first try every time

> no matter what the weather.  So far I have done the following:

>

>    - Brakes systems fundamentally rennovated (new calipers front and rear,

>      new lines throughout. front rotors and rear rotor-drums replaced.

>    - Transmission completely overhauled (though the flairing remains!)

>    - New Starter coil

>    - Complete new set of locks

>    - exhaust replaced.

>    - chassis repair as it applies to rust.

>    - new fuel line/pump/relay

>    - Fuel distrubutor (in german  "Massenteiler") rebuilt.

>

> it has no real re-occuring problems (outside of the flairing) but because of

> the camshaft problem it won't pass German emissions next time around

> (the car has been updated with a Catalytic converter in 1998 -- It normally

> would meet EURO-3 standards).

>

> Andy

>

> On 6/24/08, Dawid Loubser <dawidl at solms.co.za> wrote:

> > 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.

> > >

> >

> >

> > The MB Coupes Website!

> > W126 SEC Mailing List

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

> >

>