450SEL / 6.9 Common Mechanical Parts

[Lukas]

Hi all,

Well, am back from O/S, and finally in the home straights of dismantling the 450 so I can get it out of my front yard. The neighbours will be pleased.

For those not familiar:
TK - Dismantling
TK - Pictures

Question today is, which mechanical parts are common between the 450 and 6.9 (M117 and M100 engines)?
Best I can tell:

• Fuel Injection - K-Jet: same
• Alternator: different
• Hydro pump (from the 450's SLS): same
• SLS rear valve: same
• Ignition leads: different (5kohm vs 1kohm on 6.9)
• Water pump: different

Not sure about:

• Power steering pump - different labels on them, but otherwise look similar?
• SLS rear struts - any matches to a 6.9?
• Fuel system (fuel pump and hangers on) - am guessing same?
• Main radiator fan (metal one) - looks same?
• Radiator (compared to Aus 6.9 - no oil cooler) - same?
• Ignition coil?
• Dizzy?

Please advise if you know about the second list, and of course correct errors in the first.

Ta

Lukas

 

[Styria]

Hi Lukas, welcome back from O/S. Just as an aside, and not part of this thread, and unless private, you may tell us about your trip. I vivdly recall your photos and comments on your trip to Cambodia - it made interesting reading and looking.
Your lists: - SLS rear valve different.
Front and rear shocks different.
Leads - 5 ohm vs. 1 ohm - not all that important, but lengths
are different.

Of course, struts are different.
Fuel System the same
Coil and Dizzy the same
Ignition unit - the same.
P.S. pump slightly different, but can use on 6.9.

Intake manifold not interchangeagle.
Fuel Distributor same - it is K-Jet, isn't it ? Your car, that is.
Rear Calipers and rear discs, also front discs the same.
Front and rear suspension - just about interchangeable. Diff
and flexible couplings different.

I could probably think of a couple more. Just ask. Regards Styria

 

[Lukas]

Thanks Styria - exactly what I was after. I was not looking forward to trying to remove the rear SLS valve, so it can stay there. I'm about to head out now and pull the fuel system, ignition system and PS pump.

Am not worried about the brakes or (common to 6.9) suspension bits - they are generally hard-wearing, or in the case of brake pads and discs easily (and reasonably cheaply) purchased as replacement parts should I need them.

Will also keep the rims - just 14" Bundts, but good nick. Then the car can go off to the scrappers.

Will post holiday pics at some point soon, and a few more of the car in bits. Trip was to Malaysia and Thailand.

PS - what about the main radiator fan and shroud, and the radiator itself - is that worth keeping (maybe to get re-cored), or is it simpler to just get a whole new one should the need arise?

Ta

Lukas

 

[SEL_69L]

Some of the body parts varied between early and late 6.9's, in the area of trim. From what I can figure out, the sheet metal body pressings are the same for all SEL's. There are very many other body parts that are common throughout the W116 production.

This may sound strange, but my 6.9 has some body fixing parts from modern Mitsubishis and Toyotas I would challenge anyone to find where I have used these parts, though!

My car has 15" wheels from a 126, and they are perfectly OK, with the correct width and offset. They are shod with tyres that are spec. width for a 6.9, and the OD of the tyres are within 0.5% of spec. OD for a 6.9. They are 225 65 15's. Beware! It is easy to get the wrong offset with this wheel pattern, e.g., with wheels from a W124.

That makes tyres $100 per corner cheaper to replace, as well as much easier to find. Some professional tyre advice is required to find the tyre that has the best load carrying capacity for that heavy cast iron engine, which makes the car more weight biased to the front than any other W116 type. The tyre solution comes down to case construction and speed rating thus the need for good professional tyre advice. In terms of robustness of construction, speed rating and load carrying capacity are closely related.