looking at a 350SL...what watch out for?

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Steve - 02 Jul 2006 15:28 GMT

I'll be looking at a 1972 350 SL "project" car tomorrow.
Any suggestions of what things I should watch out for?
Were there any problem areas like rust in specific places?

Its been sitting for 4 years, and has not been run in that time.

Steve

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see.sig@pacific.net.sg - 02 Jul 2006 15:37 GMT

> I'll be looking at a 1972 350 SL "project" car tomorrow.
> Any suggestions of what things I should watch out for?
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Steve

Questions:

1. What do you hope to achieve? Show car, weekend driver, etc.

2. What's your time and money budget?

3. Remember, it's at leat 30 years old. Is it in a very dry climate?

Cheers,
ws

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Karl - 02 Jul 2006 16:21 GMT

And if it is a USA car, it is NOT a 350..... it is a 450. The vin will start with 107.044. MB was
out of 450SL emblems when they built the car and put 350SL on them. MBUSA mailed replacement 450SL
emblems to the new owner to replace the 350SL, but not every one replaced it.

Look at the engine number on the rear of the block, drivers side, by the firewall. If you see either
119.982 or 117.985, it is the correct 450 engine.

A 350 engine will start with 116.980

> > I'll be looking at a 1972 350 SL "project" car tomorrow.
> > Any suggestions of what things I should watch out for?
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> Cheers,
> ws

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Steve - 02 Jul 2006 16:24 GMT

Good questions. First of all, I have a '73 450 SLC, which I
really like, so I am somewhat familar with these cars. I do
all of my own mechanical and body work. Never owned
an 'SL', so my question is really specific to the convertable
model.

I'm hoping to get it running reliably initially, and using it as
a weekend driver. Of course I'd like it to be presentable,
but not aiming at a concours restoration. Budget: minimal.
Time frame: as long as it takes...I'm in no hurry.

Its always been garaged, and its a California car.

Steve

>> I'll be looking at a 1972 350 SL "project" car tomorrow.
>> Any suggestions of what things I should watch out for?
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> Cheers,
> ws

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Richard Sexton - 06 Jul 2006 18:24 GMT

>Good questions. First of all, I have a '73 450 SLC, which I
>really like, so I am somewhat familar with these cars. I do
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
>Its always been garaged, and its a California car.

Ok it might have potential. But I've seen rusted out 4 year old hindas
in Hermosa Beach - salt air is a bitch.

Other than the roof you probably know more about these cars
than most poeple here and if you can do your own work what in
hell are you waiting for. Lucky bastard.

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Richard Sexton - 06 Jul 2006 18:22 GMT

>I'll be looking at a 1972 350 SL "project" car tomorrow.
>Any suggestions of what things I should watch out for?
>Were there any problem areas like rust in specific places?
>
>Its been sitting for 4 years, and has not been run in that time.

Rust. Dollars to donuts that's why it's sitting there.

Frankly, and I know this sucks, but you'd be better off parting it
out and buying an operative rust free one with the money, whichis
done all the time.

Shame, as the 350's were really cool.

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Steve - 08 Jul 2006 05:05 GMT

Richard,
Just go it home, and did a more detailed inspection.
No rust anywhere except for one rust bubble on the back
of the trunklid which had obviously been repaired (poorly).

I think I got lucky with this one. Once it gets a good cleaning,
new oil/filter/gas we'll see how she runs.

Steve

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