1989 500SL 6.0 L AMG - is it a real 6.0L AMG?

[e500.org]

Dear all.

I have the opportunity to purchase a 1989 / 1990 500SL which I have been told by the owner is a 6.0L. I am however having difficulty proving it is a 6.0L by virtue of a visual inspection. I cannot drive the car nor remove the rockers to check whether AMG stamped into the camshafts.

Does anyone know if these engines are stamped AMG on the block? It is a form of M119 with the fuel distributor (I heard nightmare to fix apparently). I could not find anything on the block like I would expect on the w210 E60 for example.

Why do I think it might be original? AMG steering wheel, AMG 300kmh clocks (but they are electronic, very unusual for 1989 build?), AMG rear exhaust, AMG shocks all around, genuine AMG pre-merger body kit, AMG ashtray (but it seems to be ontop of the wood?), infamous 17" AMG split rims, AMG stickers in the trunk and one small sticker on the rocker cover stating the spark plugs needed. AMG air-box of course.

Any/all advice would be welcome as I am a noob when it comes to 1) r129 SL's. 2) AMG pre-merger stuff !

Many thanks !

 

[nic520]

Hi,
can you state the VIN?
Also, with the VIN, you may ask AMG / Daimler directly. They should know if it is a conversion.

N

 

[nic520]

looks like a real 500 SL 6.0 AMG to me

 

[744Brillantsilber]

Hey,

according to the AMG Service introduction for the SL 6.0 all of them had the hydraulic ADS suspension. Not sure if that is true in reality.

Regarding the engine:
AMG stamped a Serial number on the left cylinder row at the back of the engine (over the flywheel next to the original MB Serial number).
Plus the EZL had a changed resistor. The MB part for the 5.0 was A015 545 67 28 with 2,4kOhm. The AMG 6.0 had the A 015 545 68 28 with 1,3kOhm.

 

[gsxr]

You can remove 1 spark plug and measure stroke via the plug hole. This requires rotating the engine by hand. It's much less work than pulling a valve cover to check the cams. Also look for the AMG engine stamping at the back of the cylinder head, as described above. @jhodg5ck is the SME on these engines, btw.

 

[e500.org]

Hey,

according to the AMG Service introduction for the SL 6.0 all of them had the hydraulic ADS suspension. Not sure if that is true in reality.

Regarding the engine:
AMG stamped a Serial number on the left cylinder row at the back of the engine (over the flywheel next to the original MB Serial number).
Plus the EZL had a changed resistor. The MB part for the 5.0 was A015 545 67 28 with 2,4kOhm. The AMG 6.0 had the A 015 545 68 28 with 1,3kOhm.

Thanks, the EZL installed is 010 545 40 32 . Bosch part, not stamped AMG

 

[gsxr]

I'm not sure if he is referencing the part numbers for the EZL itself, or the reference resistor plug on the EZL which is a separate number.

 

[e500.org]

I'm not sure if he is referencing the part numbers for the EZL itself, or the reference resistor plug on the EZL which is a separate number.

Is that one of the plugs to the EZL? If so, the PN is A 015 545 28 28

 

[e500.org]

T

Hey,

according to the AMG Service introduction for the SL 6.0 all of them had the hydraulic ADS suspension. Not sure if that is true in reality.

Regarding the engine:
AMG stamped a Serial number on the left cylinder row at the back of the engine (over the flywheel next to the original MB Serial number).
Plus the EZL had a changed resistor. The MB part for the 5.0 was A015 545 67 28 with 2,4kOhm. The AMG 6.0 had the A 015 545 68 28 with 1,3kOhm.

Thanks man, do you have a photo of this AMG stamp, I spent a good 15 minutes looking for it but I cannot see that, I can have another look tomorrow if I know where I am looking

 

[744Brillantsilber]

Sorry, I don't have a picture. But I am sure somebody else has one!
It is behind the left cylinder head (drivers side head), next to the crank position sensor iirc. A little mirror or camera might help you.
Good luck!

 

[e500.org]

Sorry, I don't have a picture. But I am sure somebody else has one!
It is behind the left cylinder head (drivers side head), next to the crank position sensor iirc. A little mirror or camera might help you.
Good luck!

ok thanks, might give it another look tomorrow then (trying harder this time!!!)

 

[jhodg5ck]

yea, it's hard to see on the tall deck 960's in a 129. A scope/camera would very much help. that said, pulling a plug and finding Something to measure with will make it real clear real quick. 5L and 6L stroke is wide enough that you would need to do a Really bad job measuring.

Bring a 10mm open end box to get the can cluch off, 27mm 1/2 inch wiyh 2 shortt extensions and a breaker bar. Coat hanger worked well to measure in a pinch...and of course spark plug socket/extension etc.. Can also see if it has the correct spark plugs installed while you're at it

jono

 

[gsxr]

Is that one of the plugs to the EZL? If so, the PN is A 015 545 28 28

The trim plug is the top/center item on the EZL. No wire attached. AMG should have A0155456828, green #3, photo and EPC screenshot below.

The number you posted (0155452828) appears to be the connector for the crank sensor.

 

[e500.org]

thx. it's not green but looks like 67 28 at the end

 

[jhodg5ck]

...maybe...

 

[2phast]

Here are some samples.

 

[e500.org]

t

...maybe...

Thx, that seems to suggest the part is not for 6.0L m119

 

[e500.org]

Here are some samples.

View attachment 129407

Thx for this, there is nothing at the front of the engine I looked everywhere, yes rear perhaps. I need to have a proper look again

 

[2phast]

Thx for this, there is nothing at the front of the engine I looked everywhere, yes rear perhaps. I need to have a proper look again

These are just sample AMG engine stampings, the one on the M119 like mentioned, is on the rear not the front, hard to find. A expandable service mirror may be helpful

 

[e500.org]

t

These are just sample AMG engine stampings, the one on the M119 like mentioned, is on the rear not the front, hard to find. A expandable service mirror may be helpful

Thanks, I see that, it seems the rear one is impossible to view with the engine in the car, essentially too many parts in the way. I will try and give it another shot today though. I reckon the numbers would be caked in dirt too given it is unlikely to have ever been cleaned.

 

[weide1]

This is from the Isdera Imperator with 119.960 KE engine.



Notice the difference between 119.96x and 119.97x. As shown here in these Einführungsschrifte.

 

[gsxr]

Dear all.

I have the opportunity to purchase a 1989 / 1990 500SL which I have been told by the owner is a 6.0L. I cannot drive the car nor remove the rockers to check whether AMG stamped into the camshafts.

Any/all advice would be welcome...

Backing up to post #1.

Assuming this is a fairly expensive purchase... my advice would be to drive the car. Are you not able to travel to see the car in person? If you can see it in person, why can it not be driven?

 

[e500.org]

Backing up to post #1. Assuming this is a fairly expensive purchase... my advice would be to drive the car. Are you not able to travel to see the car in person? If you can see it in person, why can it not be driven?

It was in an auction Dave. I got close to winning but bottled it right at the end as I had a doubt it my mind over the authenticity...i didn't feel fully comfortable at that sort of money , so back to the drawing board on old AMGs!

 

[gsxr]

It was in an auction Dave. I got close to winning but bottled it right at the end as I had a doubt it my mind over the authenticity...i didn't feel fully comfortable at that sort of money , so back to the drawing board on old AMGs!

AH, now I understand. I also would have reservations about bidding top dollar without solid evidence it's a legit 6.0L, not just AMG decals applied to a 5.0L engine.

 

[R129 UK]

AH, now I understand. I also would have reservations about bidding top dollar without solid evidence it's a legit 6.0L, not just AMG decals applied to a 5.0L engine.

Surely you would have some comeback if you bought a badged 5.0 and not a legit 6.0 AMG engined car?