AMG 1985 500SEC Wide Body Conversion

[48hp]

Thanks for the link. Such a BOSS looking car. I appreciate going all original with the new set of wheels now but I gotta say I think I'll like your car more with the 3-piece wheels you have on it now.

BTW, what's the "MHN" on the speedo?



Joined!

I agree, the 3pc are stunning. Nothing 20 lugs won't change. Consider the period correct wheels as the "winter" set.

My initials. This, along with many others, was a personalized touch offered by AMG back in the day. True, thru and thru.

[Chapel]

How reliable are the W126s? I see some come up once in a while and there's something about driving an old flagship that interests me... however I'm certainly not interested in a potential basketcase

[48hp]

How reliable are the W126s? I see some come up once in a while and there's something about driving an old flagship that interests me... however I'm certainly not interested in a potential basketcase

As with most, buy the best example you can find or budget allows. Look for examples with service history. Timing chain replacement a must every 100-125k. If you're mechanically inclined, you'll save by doing some of the standard services yourself. These 126 will run forever if well maintained.

[Chapel]

how are the accessories and electronics?

[48hp]

how are the accessories and electronics?

A/C is a weak spot if not properly cared for ; compressor, vent controlled vacuum pods and climate control unit solder circuits often tire and needs replacing.

Idle control unit solder circuits often tire and needs replacing.

Cruise control unit solder circuits often tire and needs replacing.

Fuel pump relay, use only Genuine MB unit.

As with all aging vehicles, make sure all electrical connectors are periodically checked.

It's a wonderfully robust, well engineered vehicle overall.

[Chapel]

A/C is a weak spot if not properly cared for ; compressor, vent controlled vacuum pods and climate control unit solder circuits often tire and needs replacing.

Idle control unit solder circuits often tire and needs replacing.

Cruise control unit solder circuits often tire and needs replacing.

Fuel pump relay, use only Genuine MB unit.

As with all aging vehicles, make sure all electrical connectors are periodically checked.

It's a wonderfully robust, well engineered vehicle overall.

are these replacements expensive?

[48hp]

See bold within reply below.

A/C is a weak spot if not properly cared for ; compressor, 300-400vent controlled vacuum pods 30-40ea and climate control unit 150-300solder circuits often tire and needs replacing.

Idle control unit 175-325solder circuits often tire and needs replacing.

Cruise control unit 250-300 solder circuits often tire and needs replacing.

Fuel pump relay,125-200 use only Genuine MB unit.

As with all aging vehicles, make sure all electrical connectors are periodically checked.

It's a wonderfully robust, well engineered vehicle overall.

[48hp]

If anyone is in the area during Peebles Beach Auto Week, you should really make it a point to visit Legends of the Autobahn at Rancho Canada Golf Club in Carmel Valley, CA August 17th.

This is a four marque annual event which includes BMW, Porsche, Mercedes and for the first time Audi.

More info here:

http://legendsoftheautobahn.org/Home.html

Hope to see you there!

Another fantastic event co-hosted by Mercedes Club of America. Wonderful turn-out, fantastic examples sprawled across the green.

[Chapel]

See bold within reply below.

not bad. My friend offered me his RennTech W126 600SEL (the 6.0L V8) for free... but the body is all rotted.

The body is rusted through in several places, and has several additional rust spots that are not through yet - we addressed those and the failed paint by filling the gaping holes with urethane expanding foam and treating the entire car to a plastidip. It looks a bit like primer, but is a rubber textured coating. Mechanically, the car is solid, though the brakes are about used up. The engine is strong, but we left the thermostat out when replacing the water pump. A/C and heat work. The factory radio needs a code, and the factory wiring/amp need some attention - better to go aftermarket audio anyway for the effort. Other recent repairs too numerous to list, but "a good home" means dealing with scarce parts and fixing things that are a surprise. If you want to go hog wild, a drive line overhaul will give you a very capable burnout machine - expect to replace clutch packs in the transmission and LSD with 600SL V12 parts. Otherwise, it makes a fairly reliable beater that runs strong and shifts clean. The interior show the age - She's a '90 with almost 300k miles. I'll share some pics on g+ in a bit.

might be too much work for me

[48hp]

not bad. My friend offered me his RennTech W126 600SEL (the 6.0L V8) for free... but the body is all rotted.


might be too much work for me

Again with most all vehicles, rust is the enemy.

I'd be interested in more info on the example mentioned. Please PM me with additional details. Thank you.

[Chapel]

Again with most all vehicles, rust is the enemy.

I'd be interested in more info on the example mentioned. Please PM me with additional details. Thank you.

emailed. The thing was a train when I got a ride in it

[48hp]

Another fantastic event co-hosted by Mercedes Club of America. Wonderful turn-out, fantastic examples sprawled across the green.

Two quick picts:

[Chapel]

I'm going to bug the crap out of you on email about these things now

[48hp]

Please do!



The Mercedes W126 was well represented this year, winning a total of three awards. Our coupe took 2nd place in it's class.

[VadGTI]

Who took first?

[choochoo]

[G60 CAB]

Absolutely gorgeous! Well done sir. Well done.

[48hp]

Who took first?

The beautiful coupe to the right.

[48hp]

Absolutely gorgeous! Well done sir. Well done.

Thanks.

[choochoo]

edit: I guess I should have watched the video first before posting it. I thought there would be some W126 content.... but sadly, there was none

[48hp]

Just about time to jump onto the highway and return to the city from which this project all started, Phoenix.

MBCA - StarFest 2012

[eurotekms]

Just about time to jump onto the highway and return to the city from which this project all started, Phoenix.

MBCA - StarFest 2012

Nice, thats my neighborhood. Will try to check this out.

[48hp]

Nice, thats my neighborhood. Will try to check this out.

How convenient. Hope you can make it. Should be a nice event.

[48hp]

Thank you gentlemen.

Meanwhile, I landed a very rare AMG 32v DOHC M117 engine. It arrived in bits, pieces missing, considered unreliable and is known to leak like a sieve but said to sound like a symphony when turning 5-6k and tuned.

Another piece of AMG history that deserves a shot at being brought back to life.

A quick update on the AMG DOHC 4V:

The short block was torn down, cleaned and inspected. It was representative of the previous owners claim of being a low mileage example. Everything was quite fresh, minimal wear and is now slowly coming back together.

Also, all of the missing valve train pieces were sourced which will allow continued progress on the top end as well.

[MrMook]

Bravo, sir!
Love this project.

[48hp]

The Phoenix has come full circle as of this past weekend. On a journey east our 500SEC returned to the birth place of this project, Phoenix Arizona.

Starfest 2012, sponsored by Mercedes Benz Club of America and Mercedes Benz USA, took place at the beautiful Biltmore Resort in Phoenix. The first ever of it's kind at this prestigious local, allowing vehicles into and onto the main Biltmore courtyard.

Starfest 2012 attracted a wonderful variety of Mercedes Benz from the celebrated Gullwing to it's modern AMG SLS cousin. The vehicles and the venue made for a spectacular day under the scorching Arizona sun.

There was some time to spare prior to the event and a visit to some of Phoenix's finest self service auto dismantlers was in order. One of these pick your bits included the Ecology yard from which this project all started. Today the yard deals primary in domestic vehicles but there were a handful of low turn-over, left-over, european examples. No wide bodies but it was a treat to visit this project's birth place, the filthy lot from which this all started.

[MAG58]

A quick update on the AMG DOHC 4V:

The short block was torn down, cleaned and inspected. It was representative of the previous owners claim of being a low mileage example. Everything was quite fresh, minimal wear and is now slowly coming back together.

Is this the early, more problematic engine or were you able to snag one of the later engines? And is it the 5.6 or 6.0 DOHC?

[48hp]

This is not the first iteration which had the greatest reliability issues. They continued to make improvements throughout production. This particular example is a 5L.

[48hp]

The W126 designation was well represented at Starfest 2012 and was honored with five of the top honors. One event at a time, the W126 regains the recognition as one of the finest Mercedes ever assembled.

Classic W126 tuners (AMG and Lorinser) were amongst the "modified" group making up a "full house" that was represented by three coupes and two sedans. The grounds were littered with wonderful stock examples as well, a pair of 500E's, three W126's, a handful of R107's, the W123 and the largest single designation, the R129.

After the tour of the grave yards, the attention was refocused on the event. A little wash, wax, sprits, spit and the coupe was ready to make it's way onto the field. Phoenix and Scottsdale are wonderful cities. The trip overall was fantastic and icing on the cake was when our coupe received the honor of 1st in Class.

[choochoo]

[71DubBugBug]

A quick update on the AMG DOHC 4V:

The short block was torn down, cleaned and inspected. It was representative of the previous owners claim of being a low mileage example. Everything was quite fresh, minimal wear and is now slowly coming back together.

Also, all of the missing valve train pieces were sourced which will allow continued progress on the top end as well.

you redoing just the heads? or the short block, rings and bearings, as well?

please post more shots of the engine work

[48hp]

you redoing just the heads? or the short block, rings and bearings, as well?

please post more shots of the engine work

The entire engine is being sorted, short block included.

I'll be sure to post photos as they become available.

Meanwhile there is a more detailed thread dedicated to the engine portion here:http://www.mercedes-amg-classic.com/....php?f=20&t=11

At first glance, registration for our website may appear lengthy but you need only to provide minimum particulars. Hope you enjoy!

[71DubBugBug]

At first glance, registration for our website may appear lengthy but you need only to provide minimum particulars. Hope you enjoy!

awesome! yep, you dont actually need to own an amg vehicle or provide VIN info or anything

might be a silly question, but as mentioned in that thread, the amg head is 3 pieces, one on top of the other, has anyone tried to copy it and cnc a new head?

[MAG58]

might be a silly question, but as mentioned in that thread, the amg head is 3 pieces, one on top of the other, has anyone tried to copy it and cnc a new head?

While I'm sure you could, there would be no reason to. The reason the old AMG motors stay around is because of their original status in cars like 48hp's immaculate widebody SEC. For everything else the M119 fits the bill and the tall deck examples have made it to 400+hp and 6.3L from AMG

[48hp]

Are you going to Motor4Toys?

Planning on attending this year. Anyone else?

http://www.motor4toys.com/index.cfm