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Shinyheaded
12-28-2005, 07:09 AM
Hey folks,
I am new to the group, having very recently aquired a finback that was in remarkably good shape considering the price (free). It of course needs new paint and some minor body repair (rust but only small dings here and there, no big dents at all!) Thankfully every piece of trim is actually still on the car, and with the exception of some parts needing rechroming, most are in great shape. The exceptions though are a bit mystifying for me. The one item I cant seem to find is the chrome trim at the bottom of the front windshield. Mine looks like it got bent and straightened at some point and looks pretty rough. Any idea where I can find this part, heck even the proper name/number would be a great help, at least then I could ask the various parts sources for it (by the way, the parts sources have been great, thanks to all the sources you folks have posted in various threads).

Now for the part that will make some folks cringe. The interiour of the car is almost totally trashed, including the trunk. I *might* be able to salvage the seats if I get them dyed, but that is the only thing inside that is worth even working with, that and the car was kept by a mechanic who had no fear of welding on the frame and floor panels, so though not useless, this car is in no way eligable for a proper restoration. Therefore I am going to be redoing the interiour with a center console with a gps/computer etc, should be fun to try and make all the modern upgrades while trying to maintain the classic appearance inside (I will be doing a lot of veneer and solid wood trim fabrication so the style is hopefully true to the original, but updated in functionality)

For now I am simply getting the front brake shoes relined, installing valve seals and carb kits. That will get her on the road while I start aquiring the rest of the parts and get everything ready for prepping the body for paint and pulling and restoring the trim pieces.

I am sure I will be back with questions soon!

Chris
Alachua, Florida

Shinyheaded
01-10-2006, 06:33 AM
Well after rebuilding the carburators and tweaking the timing it lives. Worked this weekend on the car and got it running, if a bit roughly. Spotted some exhaust leaks, but nothing that a new exhuast mainifold gasket shouldn't fix. Valve stem seals need replacing, but I expected that and have them on the shelf ready to go in.

This has been a great excuse to get some tools I have been wanting, the at home powder coater is on the way, and I am designing my sandblast cabinet. That will make getting the undercarriage components much easier to clean and finish. The brake shoes went off last week for relining, so with any luck She should be on the road in early Feb. I am doing stopgap repairs on the areas of rust, then this fall she will come back off the road for complete stripping and repainting (not looking forward to doing it, but can't wait till its done).

Being that this is my first Mercedes (Been a vw and chevy man my whole life), I must say the engineering on this vehicle is very impressive. Surfaces that would normally be cast are often machined, and the condition of the sealing surfaces on the mechanical components is in amazingly good shape. It was also nice to find that the previous owner had put new brake lines, hoses etc on the car, so that is saving me some immediate cost, always a good thing.

Thanks for the info I have gleened so far, its appreciated. I do have one question, I read in the manual I have some talking about the automatic leveling system? Does anyone know anything about this, and do I have one on this car. It is a multi-model manual and I couldn't discern if that applies to the 220Sb or not.

Thanks folks, I will keep you posted.


Chris

Karsten
03-21-2006, 05:29 AM
Thanks for the info I have gleened so far, its appreciated. I do have one question, I read in the manual I have some talking about the automatic leveling system? Does anyone know anything about this, and do I have one on this car. It is a multi-model manual and I couldn't discern if that applies to the 220Sb or not.

Thanks folks, I will keep you posted.


Chris

Look at the centre of the rear axle, if there is a horisontal spring you do not have automatic leveling.

Brg,
Karsten