[V-16]

Originally Posted by vcash

I have some things that I would like my seat guy to work on (as you can see in the pictures):
1) The MB-Tex Portion on the bottom rear is quite cushony. I would want it firmer.
2) Around the corners and curves, the 2 inch rolling is wrinkled and creased.
3) The material in itself seems a little loose fitting. I want it to be tighter.

Please let me know if you see anything else that can be addresssed.

And finally, I need to do an oil change. I was thinking Castrol GTX. Is it suitable for this car? Or would you recommend another brand.

Thanks!
vcash

Congrats Vikash, the cars looking fantastic. The colour and interior combo is killer. What tyres are those? Car looks very neat with with the whitewalls.

A few things i would want you to address:

As you have said above, get the seat guy to pull the MBtex a bit tighter, it will get the crinkles off the edges. I dont think he can do anything to the cemtre as these have been stitched already.

Re the screws, get the plastic covers you get for such screws and have them touched up in paint to the same shade as the upholstery.

Get the a/c switch out of view, on the left of the steering (this being a LHD). It is now sitting in the centre and is an eyesore.

Please ask the carpet guy to put a beeding on the edge, in the car as well as in the boot. The boot carpet will look great with a beeding running through the entire outer edge of the carpet. In this way it will also keep the edges down which are now, already curving upwards and will continue to do so, forming ugly waves.

Install your star on the bonnet. When not in use, do what ive done for my car.

One more thing, get a set of cotton covers, for your car upholstery. remove these only when taking the car for a rally, this will elongate the life of the mbtex.

You can use any good grade oil and Castrol GTX is definitely one of them.

Hows she to run?

[PAVAN KADAM]

Originally Posted by vcash

Thanks! I already had a pair of fender indicator lights but one piece had completely cracked and V-16 came to the rescue and got me another pair from a donor car.

Alternatively, you can find similar shaped albeit larger size ones from truck part dealers who stock these for older Merc-Tata trucks.

Thanks!

Thank you, i already found one nice pair just recently.

[vcash]

Hello Everyone,
As I complete the work on my car, I have come across a mechanical issue. My clutch has become really hard of late and sometimes while driving, the engine rev's (raise) itself up as if a gear has not been deployed and I am pressing the accelerator.

Can anyone pinpoint the issue and provide some help in fixing it. My mechanic thinks it may be the clutch plate and pressure plate that is burnt out and may require replacing, but he says that he would have to remove the engine to investigate further. Before he does that, I wanted to check whether anyone else has faced a similar issue and may have a simpler way of fixing this problem.

Many Thanks,
vcash

[Prabal]

Originally Posted by vcash

I have come across a mechanical issue. My clutch has become really hard of late and sometimes while driving, the engine rev's (raise) itself up as if a gear has not been deployed and I am pressing the accelerator.

Can anyone pinpoint the issue and provide some help in fixing it. My mechanic thinks it may be the clutch plate and pressure plate that is burnt out and may require replacing, but he says that he would have to remove the engine to investigate further.

vcash, this is indeed a clutch-slippage problem and would require removal of the engine/gearbox to investigate. The problem could either be in the clutch plate or pressure plate or both but determinable only after removal. It could just be with the flywheel too. The solution could be with facing any of the three items, adjustment of the pressure plate fingers (unless it's the self-adjusting diaphragm type) or replacement, of one or more, item, depending on the wear. A visual investigation, post separation of the powerplant, will tell what the ailment really is.

Before removal, a few more points that come to my mind. Your clutch system seems to be on maximum adjustment externally already. How's the linkage? BTW, does the car have a hydraulic system. If yes, you could also investigate if that's extending out more than normal or if working at all!

There could be more than one malaise at work here - one for the slippage and another for the hard operation.

Hope I'm making some sense. Not too sure myself now!!

[vcash]

Hi Prabal,
The car does have a hydraulic system. Sometimes the pedal gets depressed and does not come back all the way up to it's natural position.

Clutch slippage takes places intermitently. Say, once every 2-3 drives.

Clutch Bleeding was done a couple of months ago by removing the air and filling oil. That did not seem to have too much of a positive effect (Though slotting the gears in place became easier)

Does any of this information help in clarifying what the issue might be?

Thanks,
vcash

[Star man]

First,the engine doesn't need to come out. Only the gear box.
Second ,I think the clutch will be OK if it only slips occasionally . What I think is happening is the master cylinder and the slave cylinder are worn out.

To remove the gear box is easy. Simply remove the rear cross member ( inspect the mount and replace as per necessary ,do not leave a broken rear mount in place!) . Undo the flex disc on the rear of the gearbox and the center bearing mount and shove the driveshaft back .
Disconnect the shift links (replace the two bushes if worn or missing) .Undo the bolts around the gear box and lift it down. Simple.
The clutch requires three special clamps to remove it ,other wise you won't get a new plate in. Replace the thrust bearing alongf with the clutch if you have to.
But in the meantime i would check the pedal pivot and make sure it is not seizing and then replace both master cylinder and slave cylinder PLUS the rubber connecting hose.

[vcash]

Thanks Star Man - I am also wondering if it could be clutch release / throw out bearing?

[Star man]

Clutch release bearings wear,but when they do they make a howling sound only when you put your foot on the pedal. A release/trust bearing won't make a clutch slip unless it's 'hanging up' on the shaft into the gearbox (between the flywheel and gearbox.)

[vcash]

Took the Benz out on a small photo shoot at the local golf course. The car is doing well other than some minor niggles here and there. Biggest concern is still getting the right pair of shoes for her. Any leads would be much appreciated!

Hope you like the pictures!

[wasif]

Love the pictures.....very very nice car there

[PAVAN KADAM]

What a clean outcome...

Congratulations on the car. I can very well understand your Pain in putting this car together.

End of the day, a rewarding experience and a great car to own and run around.

[vcash]

Thanks guys! I still need to work on the finishing - Little details like the information decals, radio, a few chrome garnishes etc are missing and need to be added.

Still, priority number one are the tyres - 185/80/R13. Please let me know if you come across this rare size.

[the mole]

Originally Posted by vcash

Thanks guys! I still need to work on the finishing - Little details like the information decals, radio, a few chrome garnishes etc are missing and need to be added.

Still, priority number one are the tyres - 185/80/R13. Please let me know if you come across this rare size.

Good job! As someone has currently printed out a very clean outcome, 185/80/R13 tires are near impossible to find them and you will have to import a BF Goodrich pair from the US. I can help you with a Radio source (again imported) which will set you back upwards of 250$$. Radios for Fintypes and Pontons are very very expensive.

[GTO]

Talk about class! A vintage Benz on a golf course. She looks perfect, save for the faded headlamps. Anything you can do to get the sparkle back in her eyes?

[shankar.balan]

lovely pics - very stylish and a classy,"period" feel about them.

Originally Posted by vcash

Took the Benz out on a small photo shoot at the local golf course. The car is doing well other than some minor niggles here and there. Biggest concern is still getting the right pair of shoes for her. Any leads would be much appreciated!

Hope you like the pictures!

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