[350SL71]

Hello

The oil cooler of my '71 350SL ( part #116 180 01 65) just decided to burst a leak ... what a mess !

I found a used one in good condition ( it looks ALMOST the same but part # is 116 180 16 65 )

Yes ALMOST as the size of the fitting is different ( 18mm on the 0165 , 22mm on the 1665 )

Now the question is: As I will need new oil cooler pipes, does anyone knows if the fitting on the ENGINE side will be the same as the newer engine ?

Any suggestion/advise will be greatly appreciated

Thank you in advance.

 

[MBGraham]

I will soon have to do same job on my 350sl. New hoses are in short supply and very expensive. You might want to go to a hydraulic shop. They will install new rubber hoses on your existing metal fittings. Probably a lot less expensive. I will check the union sizes when I get home. Just about to leave hospital after an mri!

 

[350SL71]

Thank you for your input MBGraham

If I can find used fitting that fit the 116 180 16 65 , I could have the original one ( engine side ) and the other mounted on a new hose. I like that idea

Hopefully your MRI was OK !

 

[MBGraham]

I just re-read your first post! So it is the oil cooler part 1161800165 that sprung a leak (I must have been in daze after MRI because I thought it was the hose that had leaked)
According to EPC, the 350SL cooler should be 1161800265 for up to chassis 7790 for 043 and 044 350SLs. Maybe you have a very early one?

So the cooler you found is part 1161801665. EPC says it is used on chassis above #7790. According to the site below, that cooler fits 350SLs 107s from 71-80. (In Europe the 107s still had coolers, while in NA, they were eliminated in 73, i believe.
Another link:

NEW - Mercedes Benz W107 450 SL Oil Cooler 1161801665 - Made in UK | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for NEW - Mercedes Benz W107 450 SL Oil Cooler 1161801665 - Made in UK at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.ca

One of these says that the connections are 22mm, which would be the same as the original. But because of the different part number, something must be different. Perhaps mounting method or dimensions?

Those coolers can be expensive, so you would want to be sure. Maybe get some measurements. A number of owners have simply eliminated the cooler. Later 107s in NA don't have them. You do still need one hose - just loop it back. But maybe the 043 that you have does need the cooler.

BTW, I did measure the union nuts on my '72 350Sl - 22mm wrench fits. I then measured the same on an oil line for my 85 W123 diesel. Those nuts needed a 27mm wrench. I seem to recall someone here saying that a change in size had been made for later 107s too but not sure about that. Doesn't seem to be from the links above.

Sorry I can't help more.

 

[350SL71]

Thank you Graham

Here is a picture of my cooler ( 116 180 0165 ) The diameter of the fitting is 18mm
The cooler I bought used ( 116 180 1665 ) has 22mm fitting. This is confirmed by the link you shared.
Beside that, they are exactly the same.

Of course I found this ...

NEW - Mercedes Benz R107 W107 350 450 SL Oil Cooler 1161800165 - Made in UK | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for NEW - Mercedes Benz R107 W107 350 450 SL Oil Cooler 1161800165 - Made in UK at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

but out of stock and pricy !!

So,. it looks likes the 350SL 3.5L had the M18 fitting while the 350SL 4.5L had the M22 -- who knows for sure ?
My car was originally purchased in Belgium in 1971. So it is a euro model, with the 3.5L M116

I think I will
1. return the 116 180 1665
2. loop the hose so i can enjoy the car before winter, and
3. Keep looking for a 0165 ... found one in Germany but they will not ship to the USA )


Thank you for taking the time to look into this , stay safe !

 

[DHS]

Pacific Coast Oil Coolers, clean and repairs them, you might send yours to them and see what they can do?

 

[350SL71]

Pacific Coast Oil Coolers, clean and repairs them, you might send yours to them and see what they can do?

Thank you for that information

 

[MBGraham]

One other thing you could do. Assuming the used cooler didn't cost too much, is to modify the nozzles. Those aluminum nozzles often get damaged anyway.

I just did this on my 300D. As it turned out, I was able to drill out the boss on the cooler with a 21/32" drill, then tap the hole with an 18mm tap. I used a 22x18mm adapter with crush washer, but perhaps an 18x18 could be found. Might even be same as one on same lines down near engine, I would only do this if the used cooler also has that 22mm hex boss that your cooler likely has with sufficient meat to allow drilling and tapping. Good to have machine shop do it it you are not equipped.

This is link to my 300D nozzle repair: PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - Oil cooler nipple fix

 

[350SL71]

Keep those ideas coming

Thank you

 

[350SL71]

Why didn't I think about adapter ?

My hoses are 18mm, the 'new' used cooler is 22mm .... There must be adapter available somewhere

 

[MBGraham]

The adapter must match the ball/cone fitting on the oil line. The one in the picture does match my line. It should because it is the same as the one at the engine end of the line. Your 350sl should have one or two of those down near engine. Mb should/may have them as a part.
But they do require cutting off the aluminum cooler nozzles and then drilling and tapping.

 

[[email protected]]

I am replacing my radiator next week and will have the oil cooler off the radiator that is NG. I am in NY if you are still in need I will have the one off my 73 450sl.

 

[MBGraham]

I am replacing my radiator next week and will have the oil cooler off the radiator that is NG. I am in NY if you are still in need I will have the one off my 73 450sl.

His oil cooler fittings are smaller and that is his problem with the used cooler he bought. The 73 would have same larger fittings as my 72 has.

Interested in what you are doing. Are you installing a larger rad that will fill the space where the oil cooler was?
Putting a bypass in place of the feed/return cooler lines?

 

[350SL71]

I am replacing my radiator next week and will have the oil cooler off the radiator that is NG. I am in NY if you are still in need I will have the one off my 73 450sl.

Thank you very much for the response. Once your oil cooler is off,please measure the diameter of the connection on the cooler. If it is 18mm I will make you an offer

 

[[email protected]]

MBGraham, I am far off the reservation with my 73 sl. I did a motor and trans swap to a small block Chevy and th400. My radiator worked but has always had an intermittent small leak and now with the average temps in upstate NY in the 90s my car has been running hot. I was fortunate to find a new all aluminum rad with a trans cooler that should work better. I will have it end of this week and will install it next week. I can keep you updated how it goes if you are interested. It should be a close fit. I plan to use my shroud and flex fan but may go electric, not sure yet. There should be room for either.

Steve

 

[MBGraham]

MBGraham, I am far off the reservation with my 73 sl. I did a motor and trans swap to a small block Chevy and th400. My radiator worked but has always had an intermittent small leak and now with the average temps in upstate NY in the 90s my car has been running hot. I was fortunate to find a new all aluminum rad with a trans cooler that should work better. I will have it end of this week and will install it next week. I can keep you updated how it goes if you are interested. It should be a close fit. I plan to use my shroud and flex fan but may go electric, not sure yet. There should be room for either.

Steve

We are just on the other side of Lake Ontario, so know how hot it has been! I was lucky to find a new Behr radiator for my 72. The oil cooler is still good but lines have started to weep a little. Will get fixed, but not urgent. So I am OK for now, but I am sure others here will be interested to hear how you make out.

Chevy motor and transmission? - Probably a good idea once original is beyond practical repair.

 

[[email protected]]

FYI, I have most of the motor and trans out of the 72 and a 75 parts car. Most of the interior out of the 75 went to "The Fixer" but the rest of the car is there. I have no need for any of the motor parts. Some parts have been sold off to fund my conversion but the majority of them are still there. Let me know if you need anything.
Steve

 

[[email protected]]

My oil cooler is also 22mm.

 

[MBGraham]

Thank you very much for the response. Once your oil cooler is off,please measure the diameter of the connection on the cooler. If it is 18mm I will make you an offer

So, Steve's are like mine and your purchase, all 22mm. As suggested before, you could cut off the 22mm nozzles and then drill and tap for an 18x18 adapter. You might check the ones that are on the damper that one of the cooler lines goes to. Mercedes may have those (one side must match cone fitting, other side straight thread.

Another option might be to have 22mm fittings installed on your oil lines. You would have to check with a hydraulic shop to see if they could match to the aluminum nozzles.

Or bypass and don't drive too fast

 

[350SL71]

Another option might be to have 22mm fittings installed on your oil lines. You would have to check with a hydraulic shop to see if they could match to the aluminum nozzles.

Or bypass and don't drive too fast

Driving slow is certainly not an option

I am currently looking for 22mm fittings that I could use on new lines ...
Then, yesterday, I found a shop no too far away that is specialized in radiator and cooler. I stopped by with my cooler and before I was able to say anything, the guys said "Oh! This is a Mercedes cooler ... leave it here and I will call you in a few days"

So I left it there ... and am waiting for the call

Will let you know