Introduction to new member from USA

Hello All,

Greetings from Doylestown Pennsylvania USA. I am originally from Kiev Ukraine, immigrating to Philadelphia area in 1979.

Purchased, took delivery of 1986 560SL (115k miles) Nautical Blue with Java interior in February 2017.
From 1st arrival, the car had a lot off issues that was NOT disclosed by previous owner. The previous owner did spend over $8k in repairs and maintenance (done by MB dealership) over the 4+ years of his ownership -- so I can't blame him for cutting his losses.

Not disclosed was was cracked radiator, high idle, leaking transmission, cracked rear glass, and electrical issues from previous collision repair.

The car was repainted from a previous collision repair. The paint does not match the original Nautical Blue; it is more of a metallic blue.

One of the main issues from the previous collision repair is that they used a 380SL front end, therefore the radiator did not fit properly as mounting points are different. Some other fitment issues that I have resolved by paying attention and being diligent.

What I am working on now is fixing the high idle by replacing all of the rubber O-rings in between the upper/lower intake manifolds; cleaning up all of the carbon deposits in the intake. Also, I am resealing the transmission as it would leak about a liter+ once it was sitting while not being driven.

What I am have completed so far.

• Wheel bearings
  
• Ball joints
  
• Front & Rear shocks
  
• Steering damper
  
• Tie Rod Assembly
  
• Drive Shaft Flex Discs
  
• Drive Shaft Center bearing & carrier
  
• Valve Stem Seals
  
• Steering Box rebuilt
  
• Steering coupler replaced

The The following have been done by Previous Owner:

1. The timing chain and guides have been replaced.
   
2. The motor mounts have been replaced
   
3. The muffler has been replaced
   
4. The transmission gaskets have been replaced
   
5. Replaced the interior lights with LEDs
   
6. Updated the stereo system and installed new speakers front and back.
   
7. Found a period First Aid kit for the car.
   
8. New Paint
   
9. New Chrome aftermarket wheels
   
10. Air conditioner condenser and dryer have been replaced. Just need to charge it.
    
11. New Nardi Steering wheel
    
12. New wood shifter

Hello Konstantine,
welcome to our forum and as we can see there will coming up a lot of work in near future to you and your SL.
Interesting to hear from you from time to time how it's going on with your done and new issues!

v/r
Reinhard

Hi Konstantine. Welcome to Sternzeit-107 / Startime-107.
Looks like you are making progress.
I live 180 miles south of Phila. 45 miles SE of DC in Hollywood, southern Maryland near Pax NavAir Base.
Rudiger

Hi Konstantine,

welcome to our Startime 107 or as we also call it SLpedia.

Well one must be born for buying a car with problems and fixing all of them one by one. We will try to assist where we can. My tip for high idle: Check manifold leaks by inserting smoke with a fog machine. That really shows you where the problems are.

Hi Konstantine,

great introduction and welcome again.
As you may know, you can translate a lot with Goolge-translate by using the prefix "translate.google.com/translate?u="website". That may give you funny results from time to time, but mostly it's very helpful.

You've still done a lot of expensive and painful work, so now you are ready for the next level
For improving the driving behavior you should check the rubber mounts of the front-axle. If you find something like this, there is an option for a big step forward.
Very Important: If you are done with all work at axles, suspension, steering and ball-joints, you need to set up the alignment - that's incredible important and effective!

Because of the high idle you may check the OVP-Relais (in Germans "ÜSR-Relais") as well.

Best regards Martin

Konstantine, I buy Electric and most internal engine Parts from Autohausaz. MBOEMPARTS.com is also a good Adress for original Mercedes parts.

Here is the Part number for your OVP
www.autohausaz.com/pn/2015400845

You should consider to have a fuel pump relay in your glove box. Without this relay your engine will not run.
www.autohausaz.com/pn/0035452505

Keahler relays are made in Germany

Do not throw the relays away. In most cases there are hairline cracks next to the pins. Easy fix with a small soldering iron.

Rudiger

Hello Konstantine,

greetings from the Pied Piper Town of Hameln, Germany.
My 450 SL came from Villanova PA.

Best regards,
Henry

Hi Konstantine,

welcome here at the Sternzeit 107 SLpedia.

Hi Konstantine, welcome to Sternzeit-107 and lots of fun with your SL.

Hi, yes, I did the smoke test. Although it is hard to see in photos and it is more visible in person. It's those rubber O-rings. They were very not sealing anymore.

Hi Konstantine,

It will be a bit more work but it's it worth: Don't make it step by step, take off everything what's in the big "V" and change all the rubber parts and seals. You will end up at this point anyway.
Martin