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I can't wait to get stuck in. Stay tuned:) Cheers John.

If its wood I Don't see why not? I think the biggest challenge would be removing the surface finish. Here in the States you can no longer buy Methylene Chloride stripper. The stuff nowadays can struggle with certain finishes. Matching color? Experiment on some similar scrap before committing. Let me know how you get, on or if you have any other questions. Cheers John 🍻

@@mercedesmaintenance.6339 That's a good point. I guess I was wondering if you knew if the finishing they used in later cars was any different to remove? I mostly see people peel/chisel off the finish instead of stripping it. Your method is a lot cleaner. I think I would end up redoing it all, since I'd like to change to a darker color. It's a beautiful birdseye maple. The grain is fantastic, but the discoloration and finish cracks are killing me. I'll be waiting until spring next year, work keeps me away from causing trouble at home. I certainly will reach out if I have any other questions. Thanks, Vic.

@@JirafaWood The Modern finish I'm sure is going to be a very tough finish to remove. If I were you I would experiment on a small inconspicuous area first. I've seen people have good success after they apply the stripper is to cover with cling film and let it sit. It stops the air drying out the stripper. good luck. All the best. John.

Haha. Actually I've never had it happen. But I had a friend that did experience it. One of his guys threw some rags in a sink and forgot about them. Luckily the alarm sounded and it was put out. Can't be too careful. Cheers John 🍻

Absolutely. jwright89@sbcglobal.net Cheers John 🍻

@@mercedesmaintenance.6339 Thank you!!!!!

@@mercedesmaintenance.6339 Please check your inbox, Thank you.

That would have been a good idea. I don't think there's a repair section. It would be best to find another. If you have a pick n pull near you that would be the way to go. Cheers John 🍻

The one on the Rotisserie is a 6.3 109. It can't be purchased here for 2500 without issues. I had a unique opportunity to get this one at a extremely good price. The 108s here you would need to spend at least 5 to 6k to get something half way decent. Though really solid rust free cars are getting harder to find. I have a friend that bought a 6.3 with more rust than mine and paid 19k!!! Cheers John 🍻

@@mercedesmaintenance.6339 I am say for W 108 280 se 1971 $ 2500 no rust in usually place.

Thank you so much. Hello Hamburg Germany!! More to come on the 108 when this horrible heat has gone. Cheers John 🍻

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it, more to come. Cheers John.

Thanks Richard. That sounds like a good remedy. I didn't know they did that on right hookers. How did they change the position? Was it on the engine mount arms? Cheers John 🍻

I got 2 mercs. One is a 1976 W116 450SE. I use that for towing my 8X5 trailer. The other one is an A180 I bought for a run about while I do up the 450. The 116 has a little rust, & is in need of a respray. It won't be astral silver (code 735) when I've finished. It will be metallic candy pearl red. Normally, this is sprayed over a black base. I'm going to spray it over silver base.

I agree with Pierre. The w108s do have some more maintenance things to keep and eye on than later models, but I find them wonderful daily drivers. I enjoy driving and maintaining them. Neither have let me down.

You are 100% correct. I still have to make another hole for the air tank. That whole upper section is from another car. The top fender bolt edge was rotted out on the original. Good eye! Cheers John 🍻

Thank you. I've owned this one now 10 years and still look forward to driving it.. Cheers John

Hopefully it runs as good as it looks:)

Strange he'd do all that and put it back on a rusty frame? You'll love having the body cart. I just finished up a rotisserie which works well in conjunction with this cart. Good Luck with the project . Cheers John.

@@mercedesmaintenance.6339 I know. I was originally hoping to do some repairs on the old rusty frame but ended up but finding a replacement. Typical old car project. Some previous owner got all excited to tear into a project, then realized how much it was costing (or some other reason) and then it sat for the next 20-30 years.

Hi Tom Glad you liked the video. I think your asking about the sway bar kit. Here's a link. www.authenticclassics.com/Front-Sway-Bar-Repair-Kit-108-109-111-112ch-p/auth-002512.htm If that's not it let me know. Cheers John.

I'm happy the videos are of some help. Cheers John.

Hi Patrick. I bought my workshop manual privately some years back. They are available on some of the Mercedes facebook group sites from time to time. Or ebay etc. I did find this link to a database. It may help for the time being. archive.org/details/MB-W110_W111_FSM/page/n79/mode/2up on ebay. www.ebay.com/itm/166835006065?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20231107084023%26meid%3D4d2e66180df149ed9f34f175b131a858%26pid%3D101875%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D255218862018%26itm%3D166835006065%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2332490%26algv%3DSimplAMLv11WebTrimmedV3MskuWithLambda85KnnRecallV1V2V4ItemNrtInQueryAndCassiniVisualRankerAndBertRecallWithVMEV3EmbeddedAuctionsCPCAutoWithCassiniEmbRecallManual&_trksid=p2332490.c101875.m1851&itmprp=cksum%3A1668350060654d2e66180df149ed9f34f175b131a858%7Cenc%3AAQAJAAABgP9d%252BMZSXlztIfYFu3kI%252B7ft0VcQix7rTrUVdiJwc2upzwLfM%252B2UEqu0ZqdXqu2qWe6up6s9MSEY%252BWikIwEh4xLkizL%252BG%252Fyhg6cdW4xfkbb75erVQBYYISNxGN1au%252BE0eJ778JYYSAyLJRupNiZky3B2UHpMsaEp7JRgW9fuueOszPlG9eCPE4mSzJx4EejjZE0v1xx3s4HgKujjhEB3s6n4PPnRj%252B2cxLGhD2ObbiSz84WTEIxkO2qBPKz%252BsFXKlWgMdlNfeVdR1YZkOST21szAIw9Wfzj9IcFSknjsjx5I6aK4ByEfDRmHAbdWxcYgPYgqDceTQ424zXn%252BeGKZwY%252F1mbdQDE7XTcXF5fI%252Bcz%252F2UL2rFVs1keu77Ogpn5cwxt4fquAVXg9OnHTPMnjQov10YAXUJObaoW8UKSeETY9c9Vmm7oYL%252FVQXPeOwQnLVnPFOnrmHE5RLF0FYDH2%252Fus%252BUw9e%252ByG46w3x9WI392NOVsdU9MvnbCTyhFYNeFqjGJQ%253D%253D%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2332490&itmmeta=01J27HJ1J85HN9QRX41ABYA1G2 You could also try this group which looks promising. facebook.com/groups/mbmanuals Glad you're enjoying the videos. Cheers John.

It drives and feels Great!!

Thanks Tim. To remove the rear seat you have to pull up at the front edge. Its held in via two metal posts that have a slight bend to them. When you pull up sharply it's easy from there. You can't crawl through to the trunk. I did make a video some time ago on how to get in the trunk of the w108/109. I'll post a link. Cheers John 🍻

Here you go Tim. czcams.com/video/3KgAM5rGwiM/video.htmlsi=2uZ5RBJR6QifKmIc

Big thanks John for a quick reply and excellent video/ solution. My Plan B was to drop the fuel tank, drill a small hole and stick my cheap camera up there but I like your fix better! Here’s to a better day tomorrow! Enjoy your channel, keep up the great work! Cheers. Tim PS: say hi to Timmie

Thank you so much Jackie!! Enjoyed our chat the other day. Glad you're happy with the cabinet and table. All the best John

Thanks Tony. How's that SL coming along? Cheers John 🍻

@@mercedesmaintenance.6339 I’ve had some medical issues, but I am healing. I need to coordinate the live first start with my friend who will be giving me a hand.

Wow! They must have been pretty tight. Cheers John 🍻

Good idea Chris. 😄 Ratchet straps would work too. The smell in the car is great now with the fresh seats. Cheers John 🍻

I agree the standard ones at the parts store are terrible. I think I'm up to around $80 for 22 I've replaced so far. Cheers John 🍻

@@mercedesmaintenance.6339 by the way, the cheapies i bought were cheap for what i thought was good grade, certsinly not the cheapest available.

Good point. This is something to keep an eye on. Also chaffing of the hoses. When I was working on the 4.5 steering pump I found that the handbrake cable had been rubbing on one of the fuel hoses. It was very close to rupture. Cheers John 🍻

@@mercedesmaintenance.6339 this is why i work on my own cars. You cant pay people to care and take their time.

Thank you Grant. So happy it's back on the road. Cheers John 🍻

Hi Harry. Let me know if you're going to do your seats:) It makes me laugh everytime I see you in that SL around town. You always have a grin on your face. 😄 Cheers mate 👍

You'll see him again. He's a great little guy. Cheers John 🍻

He is. My Son enjoyed seeing him again. He may become a regular guest. Cheers John 🍻

Hi. I purchased them from a member of the facebook group vintage Mercedes w108/109 sometime ago. From memory I paid around $250. They were NOS by Lemforder. I would try if I were you to find genuine as I've been disappointed in the past with makes such as meyle. They just don't hold up. If you're doing all that work it would make sense to buy good ones. I found this link for a set of NOS Lemforders. www.ebay.com/itm/204814648286?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28&srsltid=AfmBOoqmwCL3wQV4WOAslycyirYmbehqITB_xAN2fBMlnGY63cEogVdLdBQ As you can see both have the red mark, which indicates they are reinforced on both sides. Also while you're in there I would do the engine shock absorbers and small rubber bushings. They are easy and inexpensive. The car drives soooo much nicer now that all those parts are done. Let me know if you need anything else. Cheers John.

@@mercedesmaintenance.6339 Thank you so very much. In the past I owned two 6.3 sold both of them. I have many spare parts. Currently working my 1973 280 SEL 4.5. Love those 108, 109 series. Thanks John

Hi Chris. I did that while it was off the road. Also those little rubber shocks that hold the pump.

Thank you. I will eventually do the whole car. I'm itching to get back to the 6.3 project. Cheers John.

Thanks Chris. Hope you're doing well. Cheers John.

You bet! Me too. Cheers John

Thank you, I didn't know that. In what way do they differ? All the best Cheers John.

Hi Tony. Hopefully they do. I will try to fit them in the next couple of weeks and will give my honest opinion. I'm happy with what I see so far. All the best Cheers John.

@@mercedesmaintenance.6339 thanks! I agree, they look great from here.

Same here:) Cheers John.

Thank you Peter. I will shoot some video if there's details that I think people would like to know on installation. It does look pretty straightforward. Yes the w108 came out nice. There's more detail on that coming up. Can't wait to drive that again. Its been over a year since it was pulled off the road. Aside from the bodywork a ton of work has been done. I do still have to get the front alignment done. All the best Cheers John.

I had my exhaust manifolds ceramic coated a few years back for the w109 6.3. Its not uncommon. Helps with heat dispersion and exhaust tumbling inside. Removes heat a lot quicker. Lifetime guarantee. This is the company I used. www.jet-hot.com/coatingsoverview Cheers John.

@@mercedesmaintenance.6339 thats factory rust proofing on that car. So Mercedes were using ceramic coating back then and even before then. Impressive.