So after agreeing to buy this last Aug, there was a wait until Oct when it turned 30 then a bit of a delay with the seller VRT'ing due to being a non-runner, but finally I picked this up last weekend. (The thread here is a copy from my thread on another forum so is a few days behind.
Good side - on the way home
IMG_20170218_131427 by gn3dr, on Flickr
Bad side
IMG_20170218_131347 by gn3dr, on Flickr
It a 1986 300E, non runner (not turning over) and had a scrape down the left side. It's very clean for an English car with no rot that I can find yet anyway. It has 140K on it and looks to have been well looked after.
Last year I started looking around at W126's but in the research started to get drawn to the W124. Partly for the estate looks and flexibility but also the idea that they are a generation newer (rear suspension specifically) than the W126 (which I still love)
My idea was to do a OM606 turbo transplant with the 722 auto box controlled by the Ole gearbox controller. I have the OM606 sitting on a pallet for the last few years and I 've got it's ECU de-immobilised.
However during the wait for collecting it, I bought a Ford Puma as a daily driver(excellent cheap fun by the way) and as it got closer to the time of collection I started thinking about leaving it's M103 engine it in (there's a pattern developing here I think with me buying big petrol engined classics with plans for this OM606 transplant then deciding at the end not to rip out those nice petrol lumps (last one was a 1979 XJ12 which I still have)
I need something like this car that has the capacity for the kids but generally only need this on the week-ends. So the 3.0 petrol might be bearable for that. No way I could daily it with the 3.0 petrol unfortunately.
Haven't made up my mind yet though - decided to try get the M103 started and get it nct'd drive it and see what it's like (haven't driven a 300 E before)
So first things first - unloading
IMG_20170218_160426 by gn3dr, on Flickr
In it's new temporary parking spot
IMG_20170218_160408 by gn3dr, on Flickr
First job after getting off the trailer
IMG_20170218_160539 by gn3dr, on Flickr
Don't need GB stickers over here
Stuck a battery in it to see what's what.
Ignition on, dash lights up, fuel pumps runs (continuously - is that normal?)
There is a click when turning to start position. No engine turning though.
OK - possibly ignition switch or starter. Banged the starter and solenoid with hammer handle - no difference.
Put positive straight to starter solenoid - same thing
OK so maybe the engine is seized
Stuck a breaker bar on the front pulley. The engine turns - great not seized - BUT it reaches a point where it stops and wont turn any further - a metallic sound - something is catching - and it sounds like it's from the gearbox , torque converter area.
Not sure though. Hope it's not a fecking valve hitting a piston.
That's as far as I got today.
Might remove the starter to see if that is sticking to the ring gear at some point (unlikely I guess). Next step then is to probably disconnect flex plate from torque converter to see if the issue is in the engine or the gearbox.
My 2 Germans
IMG_20170218_180058 by gn3dr, on Flickr
So that's a far as I got
Couple of things I need to think about for future plans - maybe someone might have opinions
If I get the M103 going I wonder will I be happy with the old style auto box - I'm not generally a fan of autos, but I think auto suits this car. Paddle shift and more cogs would be nice though
I need to fix my doors and wings on the left side - are the later type doors (with the full plastic Saco trim) the same from a metal point of view?
The side trims on my car are obviously the early ones - initially I didn't like these but they are kind of growing on me. I haven't ruled out changing to the later full plastic type trims though - but are the doors the same on early vs late?
Good side - on the way home
IMG_20170218_131427 by gn3dr, on FlickrBad side
IMG_20170218_131347 by gn3dr, on FlickrIt a 1986 300E, non runner (not turning over) and had a scrape down the left side. It's very clean for an English car with no rot that I can find yet anyway. It has 140K on it and looks to have been well looked after.
Last year I started looking around at W126's but in the research started to get drawn to the W124. Partly for the estate looks and flexibility but also the idea that they are a generation newer (rear suspension specifically) than the W126 (which I still love)
My idea was to do a OM606 turbo transplant with the 722 auto box controlled by the Ole gearbox controller. I have the OM606 sitting on a pallet for the last few years and I 've got it's ECU de-immobilised.
However during the wait for collecting it, I bought a Ford Puma as a daily driver(excellent cheap fun by the way) and as it got closer to the time of collection I started thinking about leaving it's M103 engine it in (there's a pattern developing here I think with me buying big petrol engined classics with plans for this OM606 transplant then deciding at the end not to rip out those nice petrol lumps (last one was a 1979 XJ12 which I still have)
I need something like this car that has the capacity for the kids but generally only need this on the week-ends. So the 3.0 petrol might be bearable for that. No way I could daily it with the 3.0 petrol unfortunately.
Haven't made up my mind yet though - decided to try get the M103 started and get it nct'd drive it and see what it's like (haven't driven a 300 E before)
So first things first - unloading
IMG_20170218_160426 by gn3dr, on FlickrIn it's new temporary parking spot
IMG_20170218_160408 by gn3dr, on FlickrFirst job after getting off the trailer
IMG_20170218_160539 by gn3dr, on Flickr Don't need GB stickers over here
Stuck a battery in it to see what's what.
Ignition on, dash lights up, fuel pumps runs (continuously - is that normal?)
There is a click when turning to start position. No engine turning though.
OK - possibly ignition switch or starter. Banged the starter and solenoid with hammer handle - no difference.
Put positive straight to starter solenoid - same thing
OK so maybe the engine is seized
Stuck a breaker bar on the front pulley. The engine turns - great not seized - BUT it reaches a point where it stops and wont turn any further - a metallic sound - something is catching - and it sounds like it's from the gearbox , torque converter area.
Not sure though. Hope it's not a fecking valve hitting a piston.
That's as far as I got today.
Might remove the starter to see if that is sticking to the ring gear at some point (unlikely I guess). Next step then is to probably disconnect flex plate from torque converter to see if the issue is in the engine or the gearbox.
My 2 Germans
IMG_20170218_180058 by gn3dr, on FlickrSo that's a far as I got
Couple of things I need to think about for future plans - maybe someone might have opinions
If I get the M103 going I wonder will I be happy with the old style auto box - I'm not generally a fan of autos, but I think auto suits this car. Paddle shift and more cogs would be nice though
I need to fix my doors and wings on the left side - are the later type doors (with the full plastic Saco trim) the same from a metal point of view?
The side trims on my car are obviously the early ones - initially I didn't like these but they are kind of growing on me. I haven't ruled out changing to the later full plastic type trims though - but are the doors the same on early vs late?
