1971 Mercedes W114 250C Stroke 8

[KarlC]

Yeah, it's hard to go wrong with Glen around...


Honestly I'd recommend 20W-50 or 10W-40 Brad Penn oil, which is what I use in my M117s. It is excellent quality and has all of the ZDDP that you would need for an older car's motors. Porsche and Muscle Car guys LIVE by this oil. And it's Jono-approved, too

I used to use Chevron Supreme 20W-50 for many years in my oldtimers, but they changed the formula some years back and took out a lot of the ZDDP, which I think was what led to the demise of my SEC's right-side camshaft.

If you go with a synthetic, it will provide good detergent qualities too. Just be sure it's a quality oil like RedLine or Motul. However for engines as old as yours, I don't recommend synthetics. Just get a quality dino or semi-synth dino (like Brad Penn) and use that with OCIs of 3K.

Diesel oils also have extra detergents in them (you saw the inside the top end photos of my wife's M104, which has used diesel-rated DELO 400 for the past 5 years or so) so they keep things nice and cleaned out.

Cheers,
Gerry

For the W111...

Motor: Mobil Delvac Super 1300 15W-40

Tranny Additive: Bar’s Leaks Automatic Transmission Repair

Thx for the input guys, its very helpful !

 

[KarlC]

Small update, added some yellow fogs ....

 

[500ESpain]

Looks really cool! It's getting better and better.

 

[elbeik]

We need to get you a badge or two for that grill

 

[Ron500E]

Karl:
God lives in the details and your car, like 500ESpain said, just keeps getting better and better !!!
Congrats and thanks for sharing the pics.
Post more if you have time.

Thanks,
Ron

 

[Maui]

The car looks fantastic.

 

[KarlC]

Looks really cool! It's getting better and better.

Thx, I still have several small things to do

We need to get you a badge or two for that grill

Most of those I see are for high miles and this car is far from that, but I do like them

Karl:
God lives in the details and your car, like 500ESpain said, just keeps getting better and better !!!
Congrats and thanks for sharing the pics.
Post more if you have time.

Thanks,
Ron

Thx Ron, I'll keep posting as long as the 036 board keeps putting up with my W114.

The car looks fantastic.

Thx It's a work in progress but I enjoy it.

 

[elbeik]

This is what I was referring to:

 

[KarlC]

This is what I was referring to:

You'll have to let me know what that means, looks very cool.

 

[gerryvz]

You'll have to let me know what that means, looks very cool.

That's a grill badge for the ADAC which is Germany's equivalent to the AAA in the US.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[KarlC]

That's a grill badge for the ADAC which is Germany's equivalent to the AAA in the US.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thx Gerry

 

[Maui]

The March/April, "The Star" magazine has a buyer's guide section on the W114's.

 

[gerryvz]

The March/April, "The Star" magazine has a buyer's guide section on the W114's.

See attached.

 

[KarlC]

The March/April, "The Star" magazine has a buyer's guide section on the W114's.

See attached.

Thx Guys, I missed this, nice read !! These cars seem to be growing on people a bit.

 

[KarlC]

Gerry do you have a copy of this that you can post ......The Star article “Buying a Classic on a Budget” (May-June 2013, pp. 58-62)

 

[gerryvz]

Gerry do you have a copy of this that you can post ......The Star article “Buying a Classic on a Budget” (May-June 2013, pp. 58-62)

You should talk to GSXR about his original silver E500 and it's "Ballin' on a Budget" history....

But here you go.

 

[KarlC]

You should talk to GSXR about his original silver E500 and it's "Ballin' on a Budget" history....

But here you go.

Wow Thx Gerry especially for the MAYJUN 2013 !

OK I will ask Dave, lol.

 

[garnachavino]

Wow Thx Gerry especially for the MAYJUN 2013 !

OK I will ask Dave, lol.

That's my car featured there. Belonged to Roy then, and he was selling it.

Couple months ago I bought a tachometer originally for a 300sel 6.3 that has been re adjusted to work with a 6cyl pulse. Supposed to drop into the clock slot, that's as far as any mods I have. (not yet installed)

Nice to see you really got into this w114 project, cool rims and all. Good on you.

 

[gerryvz]

I bought my very first vintage Benz from Roy back in 1997, a very very clean 1970 280SE sedan. Sold it back to him, too after I took my first drive of a 300SEL 6.3. I was incurably hooked on the MB big-block with 300+ HP......

Yeah, not hard to rejigger the 6.3 tachs for an M130 application, and ditch the VDO clock & drop the tach in.

 

[garnachavino]

I bought my very first vintage Benz from Roy back in 1997, a very very clean 1970 280SE sedan. Sold it back to him, too after I took my first drive of a 300SEL 6.3. I was incurably hooked on the MB big-block with 300+ HP......

Yeah, not hard to rejigger the 6.3 tachs for an M130 application, and ditch the VDO clock & drop the tach in.

I actually appreciate the balance on those 280se(l)'s, but you m100 dudes are so fanatical!

 

[gerryvz]

you m100 dudes are so fanatical!

I'm a reformed M-100ite ... went a bit more modern/practical route with the C126 and then the .036 for a number of reasons. Never regretted it for a minute.

 

[KarlC]

That's my car featured there. Belonged to Roy then, and he was selling it.

Couple months ago I bought a tachometer originally for a 300sel 6.3 that has been re adjusted to work with a 6cyl pulse. Supposed to drop into the clock slot, that's as far as any mods I have. (not yet installed)

Nice to see you really got into this w114 project, cool rims and all. Good on you.

I always liked the thought of added the rare Tach, just never saw much need for it with an Auto trans, very cool tho.

My original Clock just stopped working so I sent it out to be repaired, little stuff like that can drive me crazy, its much nicer when all is working right.

 

[gerryvz]

Palo Alto Speedometer does a great job of fixing clocks, tachs, and gauges. You can retrofit a modern quartz movement inside of those old VDO clocks which makes them MUCH more accurate and reliable.

 

[garnachavino]

I always liked the thought of added the rare Tach, just never saw much need for it with an Auto trans, very cool tho.

My original Clock just stopped working so I sent it out to be repaired, little stuff like that can drive me crazy, its much nicer when all is working right.

Fully agree with you, these older cars have so few gauges, switches, and dash lights. All should be functioning as intended.

Had exactly the same thoughts you had about the tach and the cars being an auto tranny anyway. Took me a while to finally decide to get it, at least it's here for later on as I still have no plan on dropping it in yet. :?

 

[KarlC]

That's my car featured there. Belonged to Roy then, and he was selling it.

Sorry I forgot to say how nice your 1972 250C looks, what a nice example !!!

 

[garnachavino]

Sorry I forgot to say how nice your 1972 250C looks, what a nice example !!!

Thank you sir, it's a staged article photograph that belies some flaws. Hoping i can maintain it that way for a bit.

Btw, your rims have given me inspiration and thinking of perhaps doing the same for a wagon project am looking in to

 

[Gabe]

Your car is amazing! The 70-73 280c is on my list... Photos with the hubcaps on and done?...

 

[baviking1]

Agreed, killer car.....

 

[Wowek]

Your car is amazing! The 70-73 280c is on my list... .

W114 are amazing cars and you can get a lot of fun driving it! My one is for sale this year I have to make some space and €$ for w107 that is now being now restored.
Some pics for you guys






KarlC - good you put the yellow fog lights and you got the euro head lights - looks like a France spec car for me! Nice!

 

[Gabe]

Ok, now I am drooling! Beautiful car... It is great to see such a clean one. Is it a 250C or 280C?
Any more pics? Rebuild pics?
Thanks for sharing...

 

[Wowek]

I do not want make a mess in KarlC topic with my car but we all love w114 series My car is 1970 but I swapped M110 with the D-jet injection from 1972 model with manual gearbox. One more pic. to make Gabe drooling all weekend

 

[alabbasi]

My 71 250CE was just picked up from my father's house to be dismantled. One of my old neighbors contacted me a few months ago and asked if he could have it as he needed an engine. The last time I drove this car was in 1999 and it's been sitting since. Amazingly, he put a battery in it and it fired right up.

I've owned this car for more then half of my life so it's the end of an era. My parents tell me that they discovered a new ecosystem underneath it. It had sat outside his home in London since I moved to the US in 2000.

 

[KarlC]

Your car is amazing! The 70-73 280c is on my list... Photos with the hubcaps on and done?...

Agreed, killer car.....

Thanks guys, its been a fun project, not sure if it will be a long term keeper but I have learned a lot including the fact that I got a good one ! I will update the wheels and others changes here as I have time. Work is keeping me busy right now.

KarlC - good you put the yellow fog lights and you got the euro head lights - looks like a France spec car for me! Nice!

I do not want make a mess in KarlC topic with my car but we all love w114 series My car is 1970 but I swapped M110 with the D-jet injection from 1972 model with manual gearbox. One more pic. to make Gabe drooling all weekend

Thanks Wowek, and don't worry about the topic its all good for all of us to enjoy. Love your car !!!

How do you like it back on the stock wheels, I just picked up a set of OEM 14" 11 lbs aluminum wheels that I have been thinking about using instead of the 16" just not sure yet.

 

[Klink]

Love your 114!

 

[Gabe]

Wowek, that is some serious eye candy! This may sound funny but I really like the look, kind of an american muscle car look!
Im not sure where I would slip on her wedding ring? Maybe just throw it in the glove box....
Really nicely done!

 

[Wowek]

I would slip on her wedding ring? Maybe just throw it in the glove box....
Really nicely done!

Gabe, thanks. About the weeding ring you must to know that my car has a name: Helmut! Do not be surprised afterwards!

 

[Wowek]

I made a short clip for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn3Wg9F2S1s&feature=youtube_gdata
12 seconds from the first lap and this is a video for the 500Eboard members eyes only

[youtube]Xn3Wg9F2S1s[/youtube]

 

[gerryvz]

Dude ... that's bad-ass !!! Thanks for sharing !

 

[Gabe]

Gabe, thanks. About the weeding ring you must to know that my car has a name: Helmut! Do not be surprised afterwards!

Well that changes things! I now can see that I was fast to judge such a strong looking machine!
There is always beer!
Nice video! I see you were having some after burn of rice! Ha!
Go Helmut the courageous!

 

[KarlC]

Just a few recent photos......

 

[gerryvz]

What happened to the hood star? Oy !

 

[Maui]

The car looks great. Thanks for sharing the pics.

 

[KarlC]

What happened to the hood star? Oy !

Lol.... The little rod at the bottom of it, where the spring hook holds on, finally broke after 43 years.

This will be fixed soon.

 

[KarlC]

The car looks great. Thanks for sharing the pics.

Thanks Ken !!!

Looking forward to more photos of your new 036 !

 

[garnachavino]

Just a few recent photos......

What made you decide to return to the hubcaps? In case you want and try a subtle upgrade, you could possibly locate steel rims 7x15in (originally equipped on w123 Lang and euro w126 sedans 1986-91). There are also identical chrome 15in hubcaps (from a w123 Lang or w100 1972 onwards).
It might be a bit tricky finding, but would be a good set to have.

 

[alabbasi]

Those headlight reflectors look super nice. Did you have to do anything to them?

Regards

Al

 

[KarlC]

What made you decide to return to the hubcaps? In case you want and try a subtle upgrade, you could possibly locate steel rims 7x15in (originally equipped on w123 Lang and euro w126 sedans 1986-91). There are also identical chrome 15in hubcaps (from a w123 Lang or w100 1972 onwards).
It might be a bit tricky finding, but would be a good set to have.

It had been recommend to me by those in the know of all things to do with Classic Mercedes that I should really try a set of OEM 14" Alloy wheels as they are only 11lbs. These are from Mercedes cars like 240D, 300D, .... and are getting harder to find. So when I came across a good deal on a set I decided to try them out.

The 11lbs Alloy wheels really make a difference, that and the lowering that Glen helped me with a while back, transform the car into one that's now fun to drive.

So far I have had .....

- Stock OEM 25lbs 14" steel wheels, 10 year old crap tires and stock springs - This set up = The feel of a Slow tug boat

- Light weight 14lbs CLK 16" wheels, new wider and heaver tires, #1 pads and modded springs - Improved performance and handling but a bit of a rough ride on the crap city roads around me, real nice on better roads.

- Now on the Car - Really Light weight 11lbs OEM 14" wheels, new narrow lighter weight tires, #1 pads and modded springs - Best performance by far, handling dropped a notch but the ride is newer Mercedes like now.

Not sure if I like the looks of these better than 16" but it is more classic and way more fun to drive. These VS the stock heavy wheels, now I pass other cars on the freeway, zip in and out of traffic, around corners and don't have to worry about steep hills.

 

[janos_z]

Beautiful, Karl! I'm always impressed with what a master you are at making small changes here and there that all come together for a fantastic overall look. I guess this is what it means to have a "good eye"!

 

[KarlC]

Those headlight reflectors look super nice. Did you have to do anything to them?

Regards

Al

Thx, I just cleaned and polished them up before I installed them.

 

[Klink]

Love your coupe, Karl! You do exquisite work and it seems to just get better.