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1990 300CE Coupe Resto Project

6K views 29 replies 8 participants last post by  BenzSid124 
#1 ·
After letting the car sit for almost a year with no engine and trans I've finally started the rebuild of my coupe I purchased. Owner I bought it from was driving to Miami, FL and it overheated and he decided he just had to get to his destination...needless to say the motor had a blown head gasket and the trans needs a rebuild also. I've already rebuilt my 2nd Gen m104 in my 94' E320. This is a 1st Gen m104. Not much different besides ignition and injection.

Got the valve cover off today and boy does the oil smell and look burnt! But I think there wont be any physical damage...maybe a slight warped head.

Pictures available if anyone is interested. I will also be updating this thread as I continue the project.

Wish me luck!

Sid
1994 E320 Sedan
1990 300CE Coupe
 
#3 ·
Good luck Sid

I can't be far from you (Seminole ) and know CE 's in and out. Give me a shout if you need a hand.

Jayare where abouts in seminole are you? Hard to find locals that have older Benz'. I originally bought the car with intentions of putting in a small block chevy motor and turbo 350 trans(I like muscle also) but I decided to return it back to original. Like I said the engine and trans need to be rebuilt. When I took the engine and trans out I took out mostly everything in the engine bay...lots of parts in boxes! Got pictures of things in locations though so I may have a question or two.

I do have plenty of resources available though at the Benz dealer I work at. Most of the stuff I work on is 2000 and newer, but I am slowly working my way into the older stuff. I learned a lot working on my 94' w124.

Know of any Benz' "clubs" around this area?
 
#5 ·
I'd love the opportunity to make the 18hr journey. Maybe my doctors will will extend my leash one day to make it possible.

Sid

In the area of Park Blvd and Oakhurst. Do you work at Crown or Yokel?

Jim

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#6 ·
I'm actually at MB of Tampa. When you were selling your CE did you have it parked off 102nd? I remember seeing a white CE and I actually stopped and looked at it :)

Sid
1994 E320 Sedan
1990 300CE Coupe
 
#7 ·
Nope, sold it to a family a few houses away from mine. Their sons first car. Never advertised it, never any for sale signs. They approached me wanting to buy it.

In about 10 days, I'll be selling the 93 190 "Limited Edition" I acquired. Same deal, three buyers in line, no advertising.

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#13 ·
In about 10 days, I'll be selling the 93 190 "Limited Edition" I acquired.

WADCHU TALKING ABOUT WILLIS ?
Child Face People Nose Facial expression

WHY ARE YOU SELLING JAYARE ?
 
#8 ·
Sounds neat, do you have any pics? I haven't seen many 190's at the dealer except for a guy that has 2 identical ones and he keeps them in top shape. Rare to find someone who will bring their car to a dealer and spend the money to have their car kept in order.

Got further into the engine for the coupe and found some concerning issues. This engine got HOT! Hotter than I've seen in my 7 years of being in the dealer and I have done many many rebuilds.

Aside from the burnt oil and a few valve compensators stuck in their buckets I found some melting...yea. Got the upper front cover off and after a little inspection I took out the chain tensioner. Come to find out the chain guide rails started melting and were actually deformed! And the oddest yet most shocking thing is the plastic on the end of the oil dipstick is melted!

Hoping now the head is ok...I know the block is solid but the head will definitely be seeing the machine shop.

Here are some pictures of what I've seen so far...



Sid
Mercedes-Benz Master Certified Technician
Diesel/Gasoline/Hybrid/AMG Certified
1994 E320 Sedan
1990 300CE Coupe
 

Attachments

#9 ·
Here are some pics of the project car as well. I want to facelift the front end and the whole cars needs a respray. Interior is in good shape and all electronics, windows, and roof work.

Sid
Mercedes-Benz Master Certified Technician
Diesel/Gasoline/Hybrid/AMG Certified
1994 E320 Sedan
1990 300CE Coupe
 

Attachments

#12 ·
I happen to have a few extra as I frequent the junk yard for parts. I took a shot at one and painted it a matte black. It looks pretty good. Factory ones come in between gloss and matte. Like Jayare said you can apply wax and get close to the original look. The paint I applied doesn't look factory compared to a new assembly but I like contrast and I think it will look good when the car is resprayed.

Sid
Mercedes-Benz Master Certified Technician
Diesel/Gasoline/Hybrid/AMG/AIRCON Certified
1994 E320 Sedan
1990 300CE Coupe
 
#17 ·
Wellll found some more interesting not so good things. Like I said earlier the timing chimain guide rails are melted. The oil pump chain tensioning rail is broken and missing? Also saw the knock sensors on the side of the block and they were too melted. Hot!

Does anyone know where I can get a engine wiring harness for this 1gen m104???

Sid
Mercedes-Benz Master Certified Technician
Diesel/Gasoline/Hybrid/AMG/AIRCON Certified
1994 E320 Sedan
1990 300CE Coupe
 

Attachments

#19 ·
Well good news...got the cylinder head removed tonight and from the looks of things the cylinders are in good order. Crank spins nice and easy and there isn't any scoring on the cylinders. The clyinder head looks to be ok also. No visible cracking but I will drop it off at the machine shop for a freshen and thorough inspection. I still need to get the oil pan off and check the bearings but from the looks of things the 104 may be ok and running again soon. I will have to send the block off for cleaning and new freeze plugs(couple are leaking). Also need new o2 sensors...mine melted. Haha!

Jayare I'm going to the yard this weekend because I for sure need a new engine harness. It didn't fair to well. With its age and the amount of heat it has seen...its trashed. Hope the SL is there and in good order. Thanks!


Sid
Mercedes-Benz Master Certified Technician
Diesel/Gasoline/Hybrid/AMG/AIRCON Certified
1994 E320 Sedan
1990 300CE Coupe
 

Attachments

#20 ·
So I got the whole bottom end of the engine apart now. Only some damage on cylinder 1. Nothing a machine shop can't fix though. Already started buying parts...all bearings, bolts, gaskets, seals, piston rings, oil pump, chain rails, freeze plugs...the list goes on. Here are some more pics of the engine....I'll also post pics of the interior which is finally back together. Not sure why it was apart but that's the way I bought it(for a whopping $300.00 ha!) so I just re-assembled it using the right fasteners. Also had to get a new airbag and contact spiral because mine had been switched for an already melted contact spiral and no airbag...some people. Enjoy!




Sid
Master Certified Mercedes-Benz Technician
Gasoline/Diesel/Hybrid Certified
AIRCON Certified
1994 E320
1990 300CE
WTB 1972 280SE
 
#21 ·
Here ya go...

Sid
Master Certified Mercedes-Benz Technician
Gas/Diesel/Hybrid Certified
AMG Performance Specialist
AIRCON Certified

1994 E320 Sedan
1990 300CE-Rebuilding
WTB-1972 280SE 4.5
 

Attachments

#22 ·
Here's some interior shots. Got a good looking piece of burlwood for the A/C panel at the junkyard for $8.00. Just need to find a new lower center console piece...looking rough. Also need a steering wheel wrap!

Sid
Master Certified Mercedes-Benz Technician
Gas/Diesel/Hybrid Certified
AMG Performance Specialist
AIRCON Certified

1994 E320 Sedan
1990 300CE-Rebuilding
WTB-1972 280SE 4.5
 

Attachments

#23 ·
Man that engine's been hot!!

If the head isn't warped I'd be very surprised. If you do rebuild it, it will be a great reference understanding what twisted where on an engine that got hot enough to melt the dipstick plastic handle!!!

Makes me wonder if you should look for a transplant.
 
#24 ·
I have some parts from a 90 CE if you need anything. A FD and a set of seat belt presenters if you need them.
 
#25 ·
What's an FD I'm either drawing a blank or just don't know haha

Sid
Master Certified Mercedes-Benz Technician
Gas/Diesel/Hybrid Certified
AMG Performance Specialist
AIRCON Certified

1994 E320 Sedan
1990 300CE-Rebuilding
WTB-1972 280SE 4.5
 
#27 ·
Haha oh yeah got ya. Rest is much needed. Leaving work now, going to tailgate for the Bucs game tonight. Get home from the game hit the bed and back up for cars and coffee. Good times!

Not sure if the FD is good on mine or not. That'll be found out when the motor is back together ;)

Sid
Master Certified Mercedes-Benz Technician
Gas/Diesel/Hybrid Certified
AMG Performance Specialist
AIRCON Certified

1994 E320 Sedan
1990 300CE-Rebuilding
WTB-1972 280SE 4.5
 
#28 ·
Well.... M104 is now resting at a scrap yard. Pulled rotating assembly...Toast! Since I'm a fan of American muscle and a good ole ground pounder of a car, it's time for a "transplant". 11:1 SBC with a .480 lift cam backed with a turbo 350 tranny. Yeah it's not gonna fit and I'm going to have issues with the front cross member. Nothing a welder and some patience can't handle.

As far as the oil pan and cross member clearance... I found a Chevy Nova 2 pan(front sump setup) that will be a good starting point.

Attached are some pics of the M104. Bearings on the main and rod caps were fried. Almost all rings seized. Cylinder 1 was significantly scored. Knock sensors melted, chain guide rails melted/broken and all freeze plugs leaking.

Got the engine bay cleaned up and it's gonna be painted galaxy black. I've also got gold heat foil for the back of the bulkhead since the small block will be a bit hotter.

Yeah it's gonna be a challenge, but I hate walks in the park anyways...

Sid
Master Certified Mercedes-Benz Dealer Technician
Gas/Diesel Certified
AMG Performance Specialist
Hybrid Certified S400(221), ML450(164), E400(212)
AIRCON Certified


1994 E320 Sedan
1990 300CE Coupe(SB350 swap WIP)
WTB 1972 280SE
 

Attachments

#29 ·
I hate you very much Sid. This route has been on my back burner plan for a long time. I have all the measurements for a SBC. In the local CL, there's a 92 CE in Valrico for under a grand. If I didn't have my hands full taking care of my wife, her mother and my mother, I'd be all over it.

Let me know when you need a hand. I love this kind of stuff

Jim
 
#30 ·
Haha well I've definitely got a project ahead of me. I'm sure I'll need a hand along the way somewhere. I've got a good basis to start. Need some more engine parts and I still need to send the block out for cleaning and machining. Then it's fab time...hopefully it'll all fit haha

Sid
Master Certified Mercedes-Benz Dealer Technician
Gas/Diesel Certified
AMG Performance Specialist
Hybrid Certified S400(221), ML450(164), E400(212)
AIRCON Certified


1994 E320 Sedan
1990 300CE Coupe(SB350 swap WIP)
WTB 1972 280SE
 
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