560sec ece

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c107

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New project has arrived at the stable - 1987 560SEC ECE


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Originally a UK market car as can be seen from the side repeaters. Has the code 822 engine so 10:1 etc. imported in 2005 but surprisingly seems to be rust free underneath.

Got a long list of smaller improvements and servicing to do on the car, wheels will be coming off and being replaced with factory ones. Would like to remove chrome arch trims but they have been glued on. Wheels currently on the car will be for sale.

I’ve yet to remove cam covers to check condition of chain and guides. That is a job for this weekend. Looks like it will need valve stem seals due to some unfortunate puffs of smoke.

I’ve already changed the oil and trans oil,flushed the ps fluid, fixed the odometer and removed the gaudy chrome rings around the gauges, conditioned the leather and cleaned the interior.
 

sean sherry

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I have for the asking,an American produced Automatic Transmission Manual which solved my problems choosing the correct Vacuum Modulator for my 107 280 SL. The Transmission was a "306" with first Gear Start.
Call me on 0418207165:cool:
 

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Looks very nice and a great colour combo! So is it your car, or are you doing the work for the owner? What’s the interior and dash look like? Well done addressing those issues. I’d look at the coolant too since the engine is all alloy.

It’s not the first 126 I’ve seen with Simmons wheels. There is a 500SEL around the corner with the B45 style which looked really good. Funny it was also navy blue...
 
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c107

c107

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Looks very nice and a great colour combo! So is it your car, or are you doing the work for the owner? What’s the interior and dash look like? Well done addressing those issues. I’d look at the coolant too since the engine is all alloy.

It’s not the first 126 I’ve seen with Simmons wheels. There is a 500SEL around the corner with the B45 style which looked really good. Funny it was also navy blue...

It’s my car, got it about 2 weeks ago. Have been driving it almost daily as my brother has borrowed my 300SE while his BMW is in the shop.

Interior is pretty good but not perfect. Dash is uncracked. Will take a photo or two later in the week.

In some ways I don’t mind the look of the Simmons wheels but they are just too wide and rub on the guards during spirited driving. Have 245 rubber on them that is quite good so hoping to get some cash back with the sale of these wheels.

A few things on the car has surprised me. Firstly it has never had the AC converted to R134A as far as I can tell. Obviously not working now. Also it has the good HV manifolds on the drivers side but on the passengers side an AU delivery manifold complete with EGR has been fitted.
 

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That is weird! Is the speedo original? They did some strange things to imports to comply with some of the regs back in the day.
 

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I actually don’t mind the chrome rings! At least you hard the right speedo!
 
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c107

c107

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its also got the orthapedic front seats, but they are no longer working. Options on the car:

238 City Drive light for Great Britain
251 Becker Radio Mexico Cassette, Full Stereo, Electronic
286 Luggage Nets on Driver Rests L & R
341 Additional Blinker Lamps
362 RHD Vehicles as per EC Regulations
406 Single Seat with Orthapedic front seat backrest, Left and Right
430 Headrest in the Rear, Left and Right
461 Instruments with miles indicated and English legend
524 Paintwork Preservation
581 Automatic Climate Control
601 Oil for rear axle with limited slip
613 Headlamp Left-Hand Traffic
822 Output Increase for 560SEL/SEC
873 Heated Seats for Left and Right Front Seats
 

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No rear seat heaters; obviously not concerned about rear seat passengers! Same as mine...
 

260ebenz

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Very nice looking 560 Bryce all the best with the car and please keep us posted with the cars progress.
 
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c107

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I took off one side of the cam cover last night as I was changing the air filter to see if I could tell if the chain has been done on this car.

I only had time to take off one side but it didn’t look too bad. I didn’t rotate the engine so I couldn’t prove if there was a new or original chain, however I think it was probably done some years ago.




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abl567

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Coffee coloured guides are not a good sign as I recall, even if the chain is ok I'd be thinking about doing the guides and tensioner.
 
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c107

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Coffee coloured guides are not a good sign as I recall, even if the chain is ok I'd be thinking about doing the guides and tensioner.

I've heard that too. These ones are hard to judge as the outside 0.5cm of each side of the guide is coffee coloured and the middle 2cm is not. Not sure if that means short or longer term need.
 
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I've changed the wheels and the car not only looks better but it drives much much better:

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Those other wheels were too big and heavy and ruined the handling. I took the car on the MBCNSW drive day yesterday and it performed very well with the wheel change and fresh tyres.

As can be seen the only real rust I can find is under the rear screen:

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I used to do mods on the tensioner at a dealer back in the day. It used to involve adding a nylon insert into the tensioner assembly and adding a dash of paint to the cover to show it’d been done. I wish I’d kept a print-out of the update. I’ve never heard it mentioned on any forum...
 

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Oh I missed the pix on page 2! Looks much better. Yeah rust in that area is very common and more so on an import. Plan on pulling the screen and fixing it once.
 
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c107

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A bit more digging on this car.

It has a brand new battery that was purchased in 2018 so that is a positive.
I also found its original UK registration number and confirmed it was last taxed in 2004 in the UK, which fits in with the info I have for it.

i am going to try and contact the UK licensing authority (DLVA) to see if they have any info. But I need to work out how to get a UK money order to include with my form.

it will have valve stem seals and timing chain done in February. I've also bought a few other misc parts to fit to the car.
 

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