Pulled out my engine today

[RaceDiagnostics]

This morning I realised that the crank bolt could be fitted before the harmonic balancer and the pulley so fitted that, now I can get the engine off the stand and fit the transmission before getting the other parts painted.

That is tight.

I also ordered up the offset Woodruff keys so will wait to get these fitted before fitting the transmission.

Back to the engine bay, stripped out these parts....

..... then all the wiring, clips, cable ties, blanking plugs and brake pipes.

The wiper motor still has to come out, so I removed the glove box for a look. Just one nut and bolt on the motor link to the mechanism. and three nuts for the motor.

That will take a bit of contortion tomorrow to get out. Then it will be on to a massive clean up and degrease to prepare for paint.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Well I had a few days out of the garage while it was below zero out there, but back in there today.

First I set up a pointer to check on the TDC marker.

Then I made up this plunger to fit in the spark plug hole. Two attempts to get the thread right, a balls up with the change gears.

With this in place, it allows the piston to be raised CW and CCW to give two readings.

30 degrees from one side.

28 degrees from the other side.

Splitting the difference then adjusting the pointer gave this. So the pointer on the water pump is ~1 to 2 deg out.

Next I removed the hydraulic lifters form cylinder 1 and 6.

Then replaced them with old lifters with the spring removed and adjusted to take out any slack from the rocker arm.

Dial gauge set up on Cylinder 6.

With 2mm of valve lift the angular rotation ~6.5deg which is exactly on spec.

With 2mm of valve lift on the right side the angular rotation is ~ 6 deg vs 6.5 deg target.

So the conclusion is that the marks on the cam towers are approximate only and I don't need any offset woodruff keys.

 

[jpmillermatic]

excellent details on the timing....

are those cam lobes pitted or just a bit dirty, or am I seeing reflections in the photos?

The finish on all the bolts and other pieces is fantastic!

JP

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

I bought this engine 10 years ago from a salvage yard, and I think it had sat for a while as there was a bit of rust on the CAMs, so yes that is what you can see, however the shape is still good 10 years later. New CAMs and matched rockers would be £1000 so I will wait to change them till there is some sign of a change to the lobes.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Some painting today, wow it got to 10degC. The snow is melting fast.

Etch primer.

Power steering pump.

2K black.

Trans sump pan.

All done.

The brake booster was originally black but the only brake fluid resistant paint I had was this silver and I like the contrast. A new one would be nice but they are £300.

Onto the brake fluid reservoir, I put it in hot water to soften the rubber grommets to make it easier to pull off without damage.

Then cleaned it up, again I will reuse as the replacement are a few hundred pounds.

 

[Melvyn Best]

Past Parts in Bury St Edmonds can recondition master cylinders, I had an Alfa Romeo with a dodgy m/c , the only one I could find the guy selling it wanted £600 plus vat 20 years ago , P.P. Bore, sleeved and fitted new seals etc as well as removing a broken bleed nipple for an all in price of less than £90

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Thanks, I have a new master cylinder I bought cheaply ten years ago but I'll check to see if they refurbish the booster.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

The first job today was to paint the legend on the balancer with silver paint and a scribe.

I then looked up the torque for the M8 bolts to hold the pulley and balancer to the hub, it was 35Nm, that seems high for a M8 so I had a look for the old bolts and found four of the six.

Aha... 10.9 bolts. I will get some new ones ordered.

PS pump mounted.

Then the water pump pulley.

Transmission pan fitted.

Brake booster reassembled.

CAM oiler pipes fitted.

Next I had a look under the baffle on the CAM cover with an inspection camera, there was a lot of crud under there. I think I will have to remove both for cleaning. Its a pain that they are blind riveted in.

The engine ignition ECU has an aluminium/zinc body and a steel top, I will remove the lid and plate/passivate.

Very old school.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

I was able to remove the windscreen wiper motor via the glove box in the end. Easier than expected.

Then onto remove the bulkhead insulation, not such an easy job.

It is a bit of a mess, I can't see myself reusing it, I will price up a new one tomorrow morning.

There are couple of areas of rust, but not too bad. I will clean them up tomorrow but don't think I'll need to do any welding.

Getting close to be able to paint.

 

[jpmillermatic]

Love the way the motor is looking. That first picture, for some reason, reminds me of a mix between the USS Enterprise and a Steam Punk motor....but its too nice for steam punk.......


JP

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Any suggestion on an easy way to get the old contact adhesive off?

 

[a111r]

Use the stale petrol?

 

[Bullet2012]

Soak in turps

 

[jsf55]

Nail varnish remover

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Didn't get into the garage today, but went to the Mercedes dealer to pick up a few new parts and order a new bulkhead heat shield, £170 for a sheet of bitumen.

Then I got dragged into the garden to do some pruning, once the green bin was full there was no alternative to getting a fire going.

 

[Wallace]

Any suggestion on an easy way to get the old contact adhesive off?

Try Toluene based thinners, we use it at work for removing contact adhesive. If I remember on Monday I will look at the can, Toluene 55 rings a bell but don't quote me! I stick drop in the contact adhesive can to rejuvenate it after thickening up due to evaporation.

 

[jsf55]

Same or similar too nail varnish remover and more easily obtainable ... might even be some in the house

 

[dobbslc]

Acetone ^

 

[a111r]

Most organic solvents will work, hence use the cheap option.

I very much enjoyed your restoration video. The 'robot voice' is actually an endearing attribute.
I think I've seen your project on Merc forums in the past?

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Most organic solvents will work, hence use the cheap option.

I very much enjoyed your restoration video. The 'robot voice' is actually an endearing attribute.
I think I've seen your project on Merc forums in the past?

Ha ha, the robot speaks better English than I do. Benzworld is the Merc forum where I also post. Lots of Benz experts there.