Engine and transmission

The rest of the time spent with Will was centred around having fun with the engine and transmission. Will had mounted the engine on his mobile test bed and placed a pair of rebuilt carbs on it, the engine fired up well and sounded pretty smooth. Compression tests showed 150\155\158\155 over the 4 cylinders and leakage tests gave a less consistent set of figures at 7.5\8.5\7.5\20.
Checking the drive sprockets for the chain showed a fair degree of wear and dropping the sump off the block allowed us to check the main and con rod bearings and identify some fatigue in the bearings. As a result new sprockets and bearings are going in.
The carbs appear to be late replacement original mercedes ones and have checked out well.
We also gave the transmission a once over, no chipped or damaged teeth but the spiggot for the clutch release fork was loose in the bell housing and a new one has now been purchased. To top it a new clutch assembly will go in as well.
Will also showed me that the engine block was a replacement, based on the wording on the plaque near the engine number and also that the engine number has not been stamped into the block as clearly as you would expect of a factory item - good news must be its got lower mileage than if it was the original and less wear.

Look at that nice 300SL engine in the background, wonder if we can squeeze it in the 190SL!!

External trim

I had the opportunity to review the condition of much of the external trim and to take the front Grille to pieces as well. Other than the 2 cross bars the front grille is on overall good condition. The rest is variable. Bumpers are excellent and will not be rechromed at this stage various other pieces need rechroming or repair like one of the rear wing splash guards or replacement like the rear overrider mounted licence plate light covers which Will has sourced for me.

Interior progress

Work has been moving forward on the seats, Will brought over the front seats from the trimmer for me to see the stage they have reached and they look excellent. As to be expected all 4 of the seat back adjusters are broken but I replacement has been tracked down so far.

There also is a shot of part of the replacement carpet set and the steering wheel which I cleaned up whilst at Will's.

Body progress

Here are some photos of the progress I saw on the body when visiting Steve and Will in Texas.

the rear panel has now been removed for replacement as it was a cheaper and better option than repair. The rear inner wings (fenders) have also been removed for replacement for the same reason. Work is also needed around the rear suspension mount points.