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

[Elm Zobens]

I don't believe I've ever heard of one of these blocks failing during normal driving.
Can you send pictures or explain where the crack is?
You mentioned having head work done- Was this work done prior to the failure or becuase of the failure?
Elm

--- On Thu, 11/4/10, Dawid Loubser <dawidl at solms.co.za> wrote:


From: Dawid Loubser <dawidl at solms.co.za>
Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] 560SEC cracked engine block - how??
To: jhodgman at gmail.com, "Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists" <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
Date: Thursday, November 4, 2010, 2:15 PM


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

>> The MB Coupes Website!

>> W126 SEC Mailing List

>> Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.

>> 

> 

> 

> --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

> 84 300CD 304K and still going!

> 

> The MB Coupes Website!

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> Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.


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