First time pulling an engine (m110) suggestions?

[MB_Mike]

I picked up a 1977 280SE in the spring last year and what a BUCKET! This car has rust in the middle of panels where I wouldn't think rust could form. I am pulling things off the car without unbolting them and I don't know if there is a single usable part! Anyway, I brought it home with the idea of learning how to dismantle a car and in particular a 280SE.

I just bought an engine hoist with 2 1/2 tons of capacity and want to pull the engine and transmission together. I have an equally inexperienced friend coming over to help. Is there any glaring advice that I should receive before embarking on such an endeavor? Thanks!

 

[Lukas]

No specific advice sorry, but I'd say (and you have probably already considered yourself):

1. Drain all the fluids you can first
2. Take lots of pictures before removing anything
3. Label everything you disconnect
4. Make sure the car won't roll away

 

[BenzBoy]

Lukas is on the money.
The first engine I removed was done that way and I worked it out as I went. Just be prepared for oil and water to flow out as you begin to raise the engine and change the angle of the motor.
Further, make sure everything is doubly secure so you have no hairy moments as things start to come apart for you. Best if you have the engine hoist on level concrete - at least make sure it is chocked and can't move as you swing the engine.
Good luck and enjoy!
Regards,
Benz-Boy

 

[-bb-]

All of that sounds like too much hard work. This way looks much more fun.

 

[BenzBoy]

Well that's how they put the engine into a Falcon isn't it? So, wgy not take it out that way too.....
Regards,
Benz-Boy

 

[MB_Mike]

Great vid BB! So I really wasn't too enthusiastic to do any wrenching last night. We went out and tinkered mostly and drank beer. It is interesting how difficult it can be to get at certain bolts and nuts. I guess I need more tools. The end result was we didn't even put the hoist together

 

[Styria]

Great vid BB! So I really wasn't too enthusiastic to do any wrenching last night. We went out and tinkered mostly and drank beer. It is interesting how difficult it can be to get at certain bolts and nuts. I guess I need more tools. The end result was we didn't even put the hoist together

Hi MB Mike - 'twas way back then at the time of your thread, that the 'windy' city of Chicago was a pretty cold place. , and even today the chill factor is not that much better than perhaps 5 degree celsius figures. Maybe 38 Fahrenheit ?

At times like that, I would rather be inside and watch the darts world championjship. (Really, must one engage in that activity ?). No. Anyway, have you made any progress in between times, or is the mechanical lesson still on the backburner ? Let us know, if no one else, I am curious. Regards Styria

 

[MB_Mike]

Styria, Thank you for your interest in my progress. I had promised my wife that I would have the engine pulled and the car off to the crusher by the end of February...It took until the end of April to pull the engine and trans and until the end of May for the car to be sent off for scrap metal

The difficulties came in removing the motor mounts and the starter. I gave up on the idea of taking the transmission until a friend stopped by to say "you might as well pull the tranny since you have only removed the bell housing bolts and removing the torque converter is the hard part".

Once I resolved myself to pulling the transmission along with the engine and using a reciprocating saw to cut the front off of the car the rest came easy! Oh and did I mention I was turning the bolts for the motor mounts in the wrong direction?!

I will do my best to post up some pics and happy to relate my story to anyone wanting to know the finer points of drinking beer and looking at a rusty old car since that is about as far as my expertise extends.

 

[Michel]

I will do my best to post up some pics and happy to relate my story to anyone wanting to know the finer points of drinking beer and looking at a rusty old car since that is about as far as my expertise extends.

I am sure most of the Forum will be looking forward to that

 

[CraigS]

The video has been removed according to a message I got when trying to view it, but here is another good one about how to change a fan belt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQhfcdQf1QA

 

[SEL_69L]

Installing a m110 6 cyl. engine in another Merc can present problems not anticipated.

About 3 years ago, a nicely restored a W116 280SE was in an accident and had to be written off. The M110 engine had only about 6000 miles since since a major rebuild. It was decided to put the engine into a W126 280SE, which was in really nice condition, but had a very poor engine. You would guess that there should not be to many problems. As it turned out, Mercedes had made many minor changes to the engine, mainly in the areas of the exhaust manifold and piping, and engine mounts. some modification to the firewall was also required. There was quite a lot of extra work involved in overcoming these problems. Some of us here in Sydney remember the owner of the W126 (remember Harry?)

Harry went to the States to live for a while, in the Chicago area (I think), but came back to Sydney, where he had a heart attack, and is sadly no longer with us.

 

[Styria]

Funny you should bring up Harry, fondly remembered by myself for a number of things. Harry did indeed travel to Pittsburgh (Pensylvanya - is that the spelling) to meet up with an Internet flame, and he did indeed go back a second time. Alas, things did not seem to have worked out as he returned to Australia, but he did sadly succumb to origional heart problems that he had suffered in previous years. He was far too young to be taken from us.

BTW, I do not know whatever happeneds to that 126 of his. Regards Styria