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Classic Cars Mercedes 380--450--560 SLs
437 messages, Last post on Aug 26, 2009 at 7:45 AM
You are in the Classic Cars Forum. Your Host is mr_shiftright
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| If you have the Euro 380SL and it was converted to US environmental standars properly, you have a gem. The Euro 380SL had 204 hp as opposed to 155, but not many were brought in as the US version was readily available. Most of the grey market cars were either 280SL's or 500's. I'm not sure whether or not the Euro cars had the same timing chain problem but I would think it likely | |
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Replying to: stanleysteamer (Nov 10, 2008 7:16 am) http://old.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/?lng=eng Chances are nobody would convert both the lights and bumpers, so I am certain you have a grey market car, and a very uncommon one. The 380 engines in all forms have the timing chain issue...I wouldn't know how to tell other than to have a shop take a look. I don't think that engine received a dual setup until the end of its production run.
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Replying to: fintail (Nov 10, 2008 8:20 am)
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Replying to: stanleysteamer (Nov 10, 2008 8:57 am) You'd best check out the timing chain question and get it resolved. If that chain lets go, engine rebuilds are a mere $15,000.
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Nov 10, 2008 9:17 am)
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Replying to: stanleysteamer (Nov 10, 2008 9:32 am) |
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Replying to: stanleysteamer (Nov 10, 2008 9:32 am) Sounds like you can do work yourself, that's good...I would strongly advise against taking such a car to a MB dealer. They likely won't have a clue about it...heck, my local dealer thought my C43 was a Euro car because they had never seen one before when I stopped in to buy a small part...they sold it new! A good indy mechanic is a best friend of the MB owner who can't or doesn't want to turn a wrench. |
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Replying to: fintail (Nov 10, 2008 9:51 am) |
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Replying to: stanleysteamer (Nov 10, 2008 10:16 am) |
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Replying to: stanleysteamer (Nov 10, 2008 10:16 am)  - you can do your own work. I hope it works out to be a good relationship. I have a ream of period MB info, and I have been looking into that engine. It appears the Euro and NA spec 3.8s are not exactly the same. Here's some info I found: Euro bore and stroke - 92x71.8mm NA bore and stroke - 88x77.9mm - the longer stroke to lower emissions. Euro cars had 9.0-9.4:1 compression ratios, where the NA car had 8.3:1 I don't know the entirety of parts this might impact. I am a big fan of 1980s MB, especially the large sedans and coupes.
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