[W126 Coupe] 560SEC cracked engine block - how??

[Dawid Loubser]

Hi Jonathan -

On 04 Nov 2010, at 6:59 PM, Jonathan Hodgman wrote:


> Ouch!  I wonder if you had catastrophic head gasket failure and in  

> attempting to compress the coolant cracked the block.  Would have  

> expected the rod to bend as well.

> Does the engine still turn over??


Yes, it still turns over, starts, and idles smoothly! (well, it did
before disassembly - currently in pieces).



> That said, depending on Just how mangled the inernals are you have a  

> few options..


I don't think anything is mangled, really (strangely enough).


>

> If pistons are good, mate/balance those w/ new rings in a a  

> freshened up block.  Of course now is the time to tend to the  

> cylinder heads as well.


I already had the heads tended to, It was supposed to just be a head  
job until they
found the crack...

So, in all likelihood, the pistons would not have to be replaced when  
going for a new
head? I will discuss this option with my guy. He basically said it  
might be better to
get a good other 560 engine (he has a lead on one), or to do a  
"new" (he has one) block,
and new pistons (very expensive). I wonder why he suggested new  
pistons? I'll find out
tomorrow.


>

> Or, ditch this whole assembly, pick up a US engine for cheap, punch  

> it out to 6L, new pistons, P&P the heads, use your tri y's and ECE  

> cams and have some Fun:)

>

> All depends on what you would like from the car in the long run and  

> of course what your budget constraints are.

>

> Jonathan


Thanks for your reply, Jonathan. I intend to keep this car original,  
and to own and drive it until
it falls apart, this is a very long-term thing. So I don't mind  
spending a bit to have it done
properly. I just hope I can get it all sorted properly for about $5000- 
$6000, I'll see what the
engine guy says tomorrow.

This is really unfortunate for me.
Dawid



>

> On 11/4/2010 12:34 PM, Dawid Loubser wrote:

>> Well, it's happened -

>>

>> Without any particular overheating, or other problems, my regularly- 

>> maintained

>> 1990 560SEC Euro has developed a crack in the engine block (my  

>> mechanic just showed

>> it to me today) and thus needs to be replaced (at immense cost,  

>> obviously). He will

>> present the options to me tomorrow. Basically, my car did start to  

>> overheat, and steamed

>> out of the exhaust, but I immediately stopped driving the car, and  

>> towed it to my local

>> specialist. I can't believe it overheated for long enough to cause  

>> this sort of damage,

>> I barely expected a ruptured head gasket.

>>

>> This all comes as a bit of a shock to me, I know this is going to  

>> be incredibly expensive

>> to sort out. I would like some opinion from the experts around here  

>> - has this happened to

>> you? Why would this happen?

>>

>> I am looking at other options, such as simply finding a good other  

>> engine (which I might

>> have a good lead on) - but honestly speaking, I am still in a bit  

>> of shock.

>>

>> kind regards to you all (I've been a lurker on this wonderful list  

>> for a *long* time - too long,

>> in fact)

>>

>> Dawid

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>>

>

>

> -- 

> Jonathan Hodgman

> Blue Ridge Mercedes/AMG East

> http://www.blueridgemb.com

> Offering Enthusiast Service, Restoration and Tuning.

> (404)805-1357

> 96 S600 Euro

> 94 E420 (Parts)

> 93 300SE

> 93 500E (Parts)

> 91 E300D 2.5

> 91 560SEC ECE

> 91 500SL Jap Spec

> 91 560SEC 226/271

> 90 300SL

> 88 300E AMG

> 89 190E 2.6 5sp

> 89 300TE

> 88 560SEC AMG Euro ECE (Parts)

> 89 560SEC AMG 6.0L SOHC Solid Lifter

> 87 AMG Hammer Wagon 6.0L 32V

> 87 AMG Hammer 6.0L 32V

> 86 560SEL AMG 6.0L 32V

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>

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