[W126 Coupe] Thank you all: 560 SEC cracked engine block

[Dawid Loubser]

Hi Kirk, and all -

I am, as always, humbled by the generosity of the members of this  
list, thank you for all the
responses.

Kirk, I agree 100% that it is best to source a serviceable motor  
locally, and this is what I am trying to
do, I was just "testing the waters" internationally, so that I am  
aware of the comparative costs, etc.

My car is in the hands of a very very capable Mercedes specialist, and  
I am confident that he will
be able to source one for me, and I will do some local searching as  
well, including the contacts
Kirk has provided me.

I will keep you all up to date as to my experiences and costs, which I  
fear will be pretty high
no matter what I do. However, I am not near the point of "cutting my  
losses" and either giving
up the car, or putting in a crate motor. The inherent value of a mint  
560SEC, as a very capable
and special motor car, is much more than, say, the $6000 this could  
cost me.

I South Africa, I can barely buy a cheap little second-hand hatchback  
for that kind of money.
I am definitely staying true.

kind regards to you all,
Dawid


On 07 Nov 2010, at 1:53 AM, kirk erichsen wrote:


> Keep in mind this chap is in South Africa, not the US. While a GM  

> motor will probably still be reasonably easy to find, its not quite  

> the same availability. You'll sooner find a GM motor in an old Opel,  

> Vauxhall or imported Holden.

>

> The M117 is a very solid motor and the mechanical fuel injection  

> system with which it is equipped is sublime. A like for like  

> replacement is the least costly choice ultimately, as nothing needs  

> to be fabricated or customized. I've provided Dawid with some local  

> MB specialty shops that can get him a good used replacement which  

> should be cheaper than a motor coming from anywhere outside of the  

> region. When he has exhausted resources locally, it may make more  

> sense to consider other options to retain the fine chassis. Fitting  

> a SBC motor isn't all that trivial as those who have done so are  

> well aware. I don't favour that approach myself except as a very  

> last resort.

>

> Mercedes has plants producing parts and performing assembly in East  

> London, with a fairly large number of W126 cars still rolling around  

> on South African roads even now. I'm confident Dawid can find a  

> serviceable motor locally. The exchange rate also doesn't  

> particularly favour the Rand for an overseas shortblock with  

> shipping, another consideration.

>

> -K

>

> ------------------------- Kirk R. Erichsen -------------------------

>

>

>

> From: daslone at saber.net

> To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com

> Date: Sat, 6 Nov 2010 09:36:51 -0700

> Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] 560 SEC cracked engine block

>

> The discussion of Chevy in a Mercedes is a good one.

>

> I have owned a 220S ChevroBenz, a low milage 1969 Impalla 327, my  

> (111,000 miles) Euro 500SEC and my current driver is a low milage  

> 1969 Chevrolet C10.

>

> If you are a collector and/or enthusiast then keep the car as  

> original as possible.  If you just love the car and want reliability  

> then udate the vehicle with readily available, reasonably  

> inexpensive and relatively reliable mechanicals.   Be that from  

> Motown, Japan, Korea or ...

>

> Every collector hates to see the pool of original vehicles  

> deminished but then again they love to see their example become more  

> scarce.

>

> Do what best suits you and good luck.

>

>

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: FPecar4525 at aol.com

> To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com

> Sent: Saturday, November 06, 2010 7:29

> Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] 560 SEC cracked engine block

>

> For a reminder of what we have in these 560SECs, pick up a copy of  

> the October issue of Mercedes Enthusiast and read this article.  As  

> they put it, "At the top of its game when new and still impressing  

> today, the 560SEC's understated excellence makes good examples still  

> sought after".  Unless there was no other option and assuming that  

> you have a "good example", I'd think long and hard about putting a  

> crate engine in one of them.

>

> Frank Pecarich

> Ventura, CA

>

> MODERN CLASSICS SPECIAL: TOP PICK - 560SEC

>

> <ATT00001.jpeg>

>

>

> In a message dated 11/5/2010 7:25:31 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, stevetsg at msn.com 

>  writes:

> My fellow Cpe lovers,

>

> This has been an interesting conversation for sure.  You know, I  

> have a comparatively cheap American made old 350 Chevy engine in my  

> 58 Corvette.  It's just a thought but my 58 Vette doesn't seem to  

> mind that I have a 350 and not a 283 in it and for sure nobody else  

> gives a flip what I have in it (it's clean, looks good and runs like  

> a bat out of a cave).  Point is, I have no idea why we put up with  

> engines and parts that cost a leg and an arm when there are other  

> options! Are there any shrinks out there that can render an opinion?.

> Smiling regards,

> Ernie

>

>

>

>

>

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