[W126 Coupe] 500 Euro motor in hand

[Dick Spellman]

Hi guys.

Looks like the 83 380 (single chain) SEC has a new motor waiting as of 
tonight.  I took the Acela to Philly and drove the 500SEL beast home on 
I95 clear thru the Bronx and right to my mechanics shop for a look see.  
The nose was dangerously close to the pavement and the rear up as far as 
it would go due to the hydraulics being just plain out of commission.  A 
lot of other little problems that added up to a wild ride like 
headlights on, wipers come on and stay on unannounced, no dash lighting, 
a sore butt, left turn signal works but no right until headlights on, 
etc. etc.  Gotta say that the cars posture had me worried that an 
officer of the law might find the whole thing unsafe.  But, after the 
first hour of panic I just kept rolling and made it back to Quincy from 
Philly in 6 hours doing at or way below the speed limit and dealing with 
heavy traffic in CT from Bridgeport to New Haven.

Engine started right up, idled smooth, went to 3 bars right away, has 
plenty of power, no skips or stutters, no clacks under the hood and 
burned no oil on the run today.  Engine sat at 83 C until New Haven 
where it attempted to overheat just as darkness set in but, I was able 
to calm things down and drove the rest of the route at maybe 90 C.  I 
expect it needs a tstat and the visco clutch will be looked at 
tomorrow.  I have more investigating to do but, under the oil cap is 
squeaky clean, cam up front on that side is smooth, oiler rail looks new 
and is in place.  Gonna give it a cleaning and pull the covers to see 
what the rest of the motor upper end looks like on Saturday.  Then park 
it a nd part it out until I am ready for the transplant.  BTW this thing 
has neat reclining rear seats.

Regards
Dick (with a pending 500 Euro SEC....)