update on the W124 AMG 3.6 project

[s class]

I thought it would be time for an update :

I finished dealing with the rust in the battery tray area and reassembled :



Got that left rear quarter primed up and painted. it looks a bit wierd because I gave it a blow over of thin gloss black to protect it until all the colour is painted.



New bonnet primed



and painted

 

[s class]

paintwork spot repairs :

 

[s class]

some nice new treats :

 

[s class]

 

[s class]

The big moment - start-up after 3 years of hibernation. Smoke is due to ATF I primed the cylinders with.



And the first drive - to quench a 3 year thirst.



Getting some idea of the chassis misalignment :



Lower control arm bushes are collapsed :

 

[John S]

This photo - http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g8...0/DSC00013.jpg - showing the specification screen of the alignment machine being used on your car is one I am not familiar with. Are they a standard item there or just coming into use? Do you know the brand?

 

[s class]

John, that display screen is typical of what is found at laser alignment shops, and has been commonplace here for at least 10 years. Typical brands are Hunter or Bean.

 

[Styria]

Hi S-Class - thanks for bringing us up to date with your project. I am quite flabbergasted to find out that you've had this car for three years - time certainly waits for no one, especially not when you get to my age.

So obviously, will you now commence doing some of the mechanical work that may be required. I am also wondering what your impressions are of the car as far as handling, power and driveability is concerned. Thanks again, regards Styria

 

[s class]

Ah styria, I think my explanation was not clear.

Its not my car. The owner had a front accident about 3 and a half years ago, and subsequent to that, the car stood for 3 years before we towed it to my workshop. He has commissioned me to sort out all mechanical and cosmetic aspects.

Prior to the car being sidelined, it had a range of maladies including fuelling problems, idle problems, tranny problems, charging problems, body damage at the rear, plus of course the front accident.

so far, I have fitted a replacement fuel tank, replaced all fuel lines, the suspension accumulators, and got the engine running. I have dealt with three problems with the idle -
a) the throttle position idle contact switch was not working
b) the mass air flow meter flap was over-centering.
c) the intake air temp sensor was missing.

There is still more - I'm recommending new distributor cap and rotor, plus ignition leads.

Bodywise, I've sourced the replacement parts, straightened the dents and done all the prep work to get it into primer.

Still to do includes putting the car on a pulling jig to straighten the left front chassis leg, plus rebushing the whole front end, plus rolling and flaring the front fenders for large AMG wheels.

Interiorwise, various miscellanous work such as leatherique (just the cleaning and conditioning, notn the colouring process).

Ryan

 

[Styria]

Hi S-Class, I was aware that you had been commissioned to get this car "sorted" by its owner, but as I said I was referring to the time factor. I really gave it about twelve to eighteen months.....

Obviously, you still have a few items to attend to, and it will be interesting what the car is going to be like when all's said and done, or done and dusted. Regards Styria

 

[s class]

styria, the car drives well. It is incredibly free revving. At idle, a modest tap of the pedal sends the engine to red-line. On the road, torque is a bit disappointing - even compared to my 280SE, but it revs cleanly and comes alive above 3500rpm, when it really gets some urge. The engine note is just fabulous. But then I am a sucker for a 6 cylinder.

I've been working for about 8 months on the car, but its really part-time in between other stuff. The owner has a budget that he can afford each month so we are going as fast as that allows. I don't really have more time to spend on it anyway, so its working out good. He comes around every month or so to see progress, and is really enthusiastic.