[GoldDragon]

The sub and near zero weather is making work on my 1975 350SL Euro slow going. I'm working on the reusable fuel pump assembly parts while waiting for the replacement parts to arrive. The brackets were very rusty so after removing the dirt and grease, I soaked them in phosphoric acid until I got them completely rust free. After several coats of paint, everything should last as long as needed. Hopefully, the fuel pump work will allow it to fire up.

My major task at this point is to un-pimp the car. I know that 21" wheels look good on the right kind of vehicle, but not this one. I've been doing a lot of research on this forum trying to figure out what I can replace them with. I want to have large enough diameter wheels to keep the front air dam, but I'd like to have some tire to go with them. I suppose 15" or 16" wheels are the best size, but finding ones with the correct offset is a challenge. The fellow I bought the car from didn't keep the originals. Too bad.

The bling is coming off nicely with a heat gun without damaging the vinyl. I'll have to find a new gear shift knob, though. The gems are inset into it. The ash tray was removed to put in a sound balancer. I'm planning on mounting some gauges in the gaping hole since the parts are long gone, too.

All in all, I think it will un-pimp okay. I'm checking as much as I can as weather permits.

GD

 

[rowdie]

New shift knob Mercedes-Benz Parts - OE Discount Parts

Are there any particular wheel designs you like? BBS, Penta, Stock?

 

[cwmoser]

I don't like those wheels either -- too blingy.

What look are you trying to achieve?

I like these - especially the last one except I would want more
of the tire sidewall to show, perhaps get it in 15", I think it is
an ABS wheel.

I really like wire wheels, that is until I think about spending hours
in the hot sun cleaning all those spokes.

BTW, that manual transmission in your 280SL makes it a very desirable car.

 

[Fonzi]

BTW, that manual transmission in your 280SL makes it a very desirable car.

It's a 350sl, a V8 with a manual trans, not the more common 280 6cyl.

To Golddragon:
16-17" wheels are commonly agreed to be the largest diameter wheels that work well.

14-15" will give you more of a stock look.

I never feel very comfortable over say 75 mph on those old 14" tires, but have felt very stable even over 100 mph on 16". The ride is smoother with the 14" though.

Those "gems" on the dash look like a total hassle.

I believe I have an ashtray frame, and either wood or black ashtrays. That color seems a little rare though. If you got vinyl dye you could probably match it though.

The drivers seat looks like it's going to need some love too. Any plans for that?

 

[cwmoser]

It's a 350sl, a V8 with a manual trans, not the more common 280 6cyl.
...

Oh wow. Even more desirable - V8 and manual trans.

I have a mint set of 14" Bundt's from my 380SL that I have thought about
selling. Any idea on what they are worth? Personally, I don't like the
looks of Bundt's even if they are "original".

 

[GoldDragon]

Rowdie, cwmoser and Fonzi, thanks for your replies and comments.

Of the three wheel examples, I like the top two. The ones on the white and red cars. Are those 15" and do they require spacers to get the correct offset? What are the specific names or manufacturers? I'd like a more stock look. I'll check out the BBS and Penta.

I'll also look for that gear shift knob. Luckily, I was able to get most of the bling trim off with a heat gun. If a ashtray is available, I'll be happy to pay you for it. Wood would be good for me. Just let me know. From what I was able to sort out from the color codes, my interior is Brazilian Brown. The paint is Ikon Gold.

I've been looking at leather seat covers on EBay. They seem to cost around $800. I'd also like to add a fold up armrest. Does anyone know if the used ones on EBay are a direct bolt on or take a later model seat frame? I figure I can die one to match. They look very handy to have.

Any help with these issues is greatly appreciated.

GD

 

[oefvetw124lover]

you can flip those big rims on CL or Ebay.
more cash in your pocket.
BBS are awesome ! They were the cream of the crop back in the 80s

 

[rowdie]

BBS are awesome ! They were the cream of the crop back in the 80s

That a matter of opinion.

 

[oefvetw124lover]

Indeed.
Indeed

 

[marselis]

check out my merc that was pimped out in 82.

i know it looks odd

 

[GoldDragon]

Marselis, That's a beautiful car. What kind of wheels are those? I saw similar ones on Craig's List recently.

I'll keep a eye on Craig's List now that I know some wheel brands that will work. There were some '85 15" wheels from a 300D listed recently, but the offset was wrong.

First order is to get this one running. The worst part of the fuel pump assembly was the hose from the gas tank to the damper. It was rotted. Having to address the fuel pump was timely because it wouldn't have been long before it was leaking. It might have just ripped open and gallons of gas would have been on the ground.
GD

 

[cushjbc]

Extremely Un-Pimped

 

[marselis]

the wheels was period oz racing wheels ( does have like new dry rotted tires) i found it in fall of 2013 it had not been started since 2006 drain gas, replaced fuel filter, fuel pump, battery and new oil she fired up and i drove it, amazing

 

[Fonzi]

Wheels:
I have a wide variety of wheels and need to create a thread in the FS/wtb sub-forum or the classifieds forum, especially since I just picked up some 560 wheels this morning. I'm trying to whittle down the car collection and will know more of what I want to keep and sell. I definitely have too many bundts and won't use the 560sl wheels though.

 

[PanzerPuff]

As pictured here I have both the 15 inch and 16 inch wheel sets. I prefer the handling of the 16 inch Platinum Apex wheels on which I mounted 225/55R16 W speed rated (168mph) Indy tires. The 15 inch set has 205/65R-15 94T that I use in winter and put up with the reduced handling and squirrelly nature.

I have no affiliation with http://tirerack.com but I get all my stuff there as even with shipping it comes about about the same, and the selection is quite good. They have an online app where you can view the wheels on your car. First pic here is the stock 14 inch and then you go from there...

 

[littlecody8]

I just switched from the original (15 hole) to newer model (8 hole) wheels. Both 15 inch. I like the look of the 8 hole slightly better. Still deciding whether to keep the originals or sell them off. PM me if you're interested.

 

[tdoriot]

Speaking of un-pimping, you are yarding that chinsey wheel opening, rust encouraging hoopdie trim? :grin

 

[GoldDragon]

Speaking of un-pimping, you are yarding that chinsey wheel opening, rust encouraging hoopdie trim? :grin

Yes, it's a concern of mine. After I have it running well, I'm going to revisit much of what has been done with the pimping.

Right now I'm trying to figure out the proper way to test the compression. I've been looking for the four point cable connector indicated in the attached Checking Compression PDF file. I'm made up a jumper line with a momentary on switch so I can turn over the engine while holding a compression gauge to the spark plug hole.

On all other vehicles I've done compression tests on, I've just disconnected the coil and fuel pump and had someone else turn over the engine. Since I have the fuel pump off and the lines blown out, it seemed like a good time to do a compression test. I haven't found that four point cable connector, though. I certainly don't want to do anything to damage the D-Jet injector system.

I'm finding that the location of some things on this Euro is different than a normally imported version. The battery is under the hood on the right side of the engine instead of the trunk and there's no catalytic converters in the engine compartment.

How do all of you do a compression test? Also, does anyone have the range of acceptable compression for this 3.5L German engine? My understanding is that it's a higher compression engine than the US models.

GD

 

[TX E55]

Good luck with your car, it will be nice to bring back the CLASS and get rid of the CRASS. Those wheels are among the worst I have ever seen, the earth will be a better place without those on such a great car. IMHO.

 

[SinSL]

Those rims are a crime against automotive humanity. I am glad you decided to bring the car back to original state.