[W126 Coupe] 560SEC top-end rebuild

[Steve Nervig]

On Mar 15, 2010, at 10:50 PM, Gerry Van Zandt wrote:


> I'm almost half-way through a full-on top-end rebuild of my 1989 560SEC, and I've been using Chet's guide to the task as well as the factory manuals. Chet's guide has been invaluable for lots of little tips to do the job.

> 

> The left-hand cylinder head came off the car tonight, and the right-hand head will come off tomorrow. The heads and manifolds will go into the machine shop later this week for cleaning and refurbishment.

> 

> If you are interested to see the project, you can see it at this Facebook photo album

> http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=167571&id=821723571&l=946f984ee3

> 

> Or if you are a member of my 500E enthusiasts' site, you can see the play-by-play and more photos here:

> 

> http://www.500espot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=626

> 

> My car has 184K on it, and about 1,000 miles ago started ticking pretty loudly. That turned out to be a worn cam lobe and rocker arm in cylinder #1. That ticking was the impetus for me to get off my duff and re-do the heads, which had a leaking valve guide/seal as well as a very small head-gasket weep at the back of the head that caused the very common burnt oil smell in the cabin.

> 

> I'm replacing lots of parts along the way, whether they need it or not. Pretty much all hoses, vacuum lines, and rubber items are getting replaced since things are torn down now and extremely easy to get at.  Just keeping my fingers crossed that it all goes back together as easily as it's come apart. I've been keeping detailed records and bagging everything with descriptions of where it came from, etc., so this should help in the reassembly process......

> 

> Got about 20 hours into the job so far; with the second head off should be 21-22 hours. Then the reassembly.....

> 

> Cheers,

> Gerry


Hi, Gerry, nice to hear from you again. Looks like a great project that you are on - great write-up and photos in Espot, too.

How have the head bolts been coming out? Any problems and do you foresee having to put inserts into the block?

Steve
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