From: owner-diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net (diesel-benz-digest) To: diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Subject: diesel-benz-digest V1 #828 Reply-To: diesel-benz-at-digest.net Sender: owner-diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Errors-To: owner-diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Precedence: bulk diesel-benz-digest Monday, November 4 2002 Volume 01 : Number 828 Forum for Discussion of Diesel Mercedes Benz Automobiles Derick Amburgey Digest Coordinator Contents: Re: fix it, don't convert it... Re: say what? Re: Re: fix it, don't convert it... Re: say what? RE: Diesel Dan's retirement WAS: say what? Re: can we at least get a roll call to generate some traffic? Re: fix it, don't convert it... RE: Diesel Dan's retirement WAS: say what? Diesel Benz Digest Home Page: http://www.digest.net/diesel-benz/ Send submissions to diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Send administrative requests to diesel-benz-digest-request-at-digest.net To unsubscribe, include the word unsubscribe by itself in the body of the message, unless you are sending the request from a different address than the one that appears on the list. Include the word help in a message to stag-digest-request to get a list of other majordomo commands. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 03 Nov 2002 13:19:27 -0800 From: john Subject: Re: fix it, don't convert it... this isn't exactly the time for a trip to Ontario. :) (having Thanksgiving dinner in Rapid City, SD... two day drive each way over the continental divide... ;) you'll need a replacement crankshaft and new bearings and rings, pretty normal rebuild, so long as the block isn't damaged. A machine shop might be able to turn the crank and use oversize bearings... You're probably looking at $700 to a grand or so in parts/gaskets, crank and so on. Another $500 or so labor to rebuild and then somewhere between $500 and a grand to have someone drop it in. A rebuild/R&R would run $2 to 2.5K from an independent, heaven help you if you go to a dealership... I'd love to hear their quote just for the shock factor... I don't recommend dealership service or franchise repair shops... but it's hard to find a reliable/competent independent... :( A wrecking yard motor, if you can find one, will run $1,500 to $2,500, and you'll still pay about a grand for the swap. These engines are easy to install though, you don't even have to remove the hood!!! I could do a swap in one of these things in a weekend with no trouble at all. Of course maybe not all on the SAME weekend... ;) BTW, speaking of Jeep enthusiasts and all that... do they salt the roads up there? My '99 WJ came from Montreal and yuch... I've replaced a bunch of parts, cleaned and used rust converting primer to get rid of it all, glad the newer cars have a lot of rust protection features. Keep the faith, and the Diesel... ;) john At 12:03 PM 11/3/2002 -0500, Rajeev Wijesinghe wrote: >John: >Thanks for your e-mail. >I'm glad to see you're a believer too. We are with the United Church here >and my father is a minister. When we left Sri Lanka, we were among the 7% >of Christians there. Having traced our family history down to the 1400's, >it was interesting to know that even our ancestors then, were believers! > >Yes, placing another BENZ engine is my first choice. The only thing is >that I can't seem to find one around here in any wrecking yard! They're >so hard to come by. As for rebuilding it myself, I have never rebuilt an >engine before. I do regular maintenance but have never rebuilt anything >before so I wouldn't want to wreck it worse. > >My mechanic says it is the LOWER MOTOR that has damage. It is burning oil >a great deal and knocking loud. > >You wouldn't think a trip to Ontario would be nice? We have lots of Jeep >enthusiasts here!! > >Talk to you soon, >God Bless, >Rajeev > >-----Original Message----- >From: john >To: diesel-benz-at-digest.net, diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net >Date: Fri, 01 Nov 2002 21:10:02 -0800 >Subject: fix it, don't convert it... > ============================================================= The just shall live by Faith... Der Gerechte wird aus Glauben leben... Mas El Justo vivira Por Fe... Le Juste vivra par la foi... Habakkuk 2:4b, Romans 1:17, Galations 3:11, Hebrews 10:38 ============================================================= Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 There is no other name... Acts 4:12 ============================================================= john-at-wagoneers.com http://www.wagoneers.com http://www.helpmewithbiblestudy.org/ http://www.freegift.net/ - can you pass this test? http://www.wagoneers.com/BIBLE what about Islam? see: http://www.persecution.com/news/index.cfm?action=article&NewsId=111 ============================================================= ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 03 Nov 2002 13:25:05 -0800 From: john Subject: Re: say what? At 07:26 PM 11/3/2002 +0000, diesel-benz-digest wrote: >From: Dan J >Subject: Re: can we at least get a roll call to generate some traffic? >Howdy! >I'm Diesel Dan, used to drive a BIG truck for a living, but I was in a >pretty bad accident and I have left truck driving due to the loneliness and >injuries. Diesel Dan, when did that happen? Maybe I haven't been paying attention... shoot ever time I'm on I-5 I've been looking at those big green Interstate trucks seeing if you was in the cab... ...guess I can quit lookin', eh? Hope things are improving... diesel john - ------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.WAGONEERS.com/ Snohomish, WA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold... jesus, don't leave life without him, please! - ------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 03 Nov 2002 15:07:58 -0800 From: john Subject: Re: Re: fix it, don't convert it... At 05:18 PM 11/3/2002 -0500, Rajeev Wijesinghe wrote: >They sure do salt the roads! This is why I don't drive my Baby in >winter. Say, this may be a dumb question, but is there any "REBUILDING >FOR DUMMIES" type of publication that might be of use to me if I do >rebuild it? Just wondering. I have a good shop here who would rebuild it >but money is the factor. They offered to put in a 305 motor and tranny >for $200 Canadian dollars (about $1300 YOUR dollars) Cheers, >Rajeev You meant 2,000, right? ;) There was a day when the Canadian dollar was stronger then US... but not that much... ;) Don't know of any "rebuilding for dummies" books... I remember the compleat idiot's guide to VWs and stuff like that, but most Mercedes owners aren't really into the DIY scene. :) You might check with a local VoTech to see if they would assist as a project for their students. I wouldn't recommend a 305. Haven't heard anything exciting about those motors, a 350, a 283 maybe... but not a 305. If you're going to convert, get one that's fuel injected. :) shoot, maybe a 4.0L out of a Jeep... complete with transfer case. :) Gary's up in BC could help you out... john - ------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.WAGONEERS.com/ Snohomish, WA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold... jesus, don't leave life without him, please! - ------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 03 Nov 2002 16:23:53 -0800 From: Dan J Subject: Re: say what? At 01:25 PM 11/3/2002 -0800, you wrote >when did that happen? Maybe I haven't been paying attention... shoot >ever time I'm on I-5 I've been looking at those big green Interstate >trucks seeing if you was in the cab... > >...guess I can quit lookin', eh? > >Hope things are improving... > >diesel john The accident was July 31st in Manteca, CA. Someone stopped at the entrance to an off ramp after deciding they didn't really want that off ramp. I hit the truck in front of me, they hit the truck in front of them, etc, etc. No one was badly injured, but it was bad enough to say "OK, thats the first and the last big rig wreck I'm ever gonna be in. Engine and tranny knocked well off their mounts, everything loose in the cab flew forward, damn near totally wrecked the truck, I hit a truck full of sausage, my trailer was empty, or else the wreck would have been much worse. I am well known for my long run on sentences. Diesel Dan ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 3 Nov 2002 22:02:10 -0600 From: "Alec Cordova" Subject: RE: Diesel Dan's retirement WAS: say what? If you were at all ready to retire from that work, it sounds like a wise choice. We all know that no matter how well we drive, wrecks are a matter of statistics. Spend enough time on the road, and your turn will come. I failed my statistics class the first time through getting my Math degree, so don't ask me for a better explanation. ;-) If you managed to walk away from your first big wreck, might as well count your winnings and leave the table. As long as you don't have to stop coming up with your amusing signatures. Alec "waiting for my roll of the dice in a nice solid Benz" Cordova Taylor, Texas 89 300CE, 149K ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 04 Nov 2002 02:03:15 -0600 From: Jon Filina Subject: Re: can we at least get a roll call to generate some traffic? Alec stirred the pot and wrote: > OK. John makes his little comment that there are only about three people that > ever post on this list. Sheesh! Until recently, the activity on this list consisted of John missing his diesels, John pining for an MB diesel, John flip-flopping and NOT pining for an MB diesel, John flip-flopping, with a reverse twist, and wanting an MB diesel engine for his Jeep, ad infinitum... How can anyone get a word in edgewise??? ;-) I look forward to seeing John's messages and am counting the days until he gets confused and actually buys another MB diesel. Then the fun will really start! > Let's see if we can get at least five contributors to this thread. Hi, I'm Jon and I'm a dieselholic. I have been a fan of diesels since the mid sixties when a friend of mine bought a used MB. Our mailman at that time had a Citroen diesel. Both of these cars intrigued me, but it was the diesel engines that I found most interesting. It didn't seem possible that an engine could run without spark plugs. Seeing them run and being mesmerized by the klatta-klatta-klatta sound made me want to own one one day. In 1969, I came close to buying a new Toyota Crown diesel when I was based at MCAS Futema, Okinawa. That didn't happen, unfortunately. The next time around, in 1978, I had a choice of a '73 MB 220 (gas) or a '72 220D. I opted for the '73 gas model. I regret not picking the 220D. My first diesel was bought in 1981, a new VW Rabbit. I was hooked immediately. I named it "Lil Toot", as in "The little engine that could". In 1985, after putting 100,000 miles on the VW, I considered trading it in. I'd never driven a car that many miles and was concerned that my 100 mile a day commute would begin taking it's toll. I test drove an '85 Subaru GL10. I'd owned an '80 Subaru GL5 just before I got the Rabbit and loved it. This GL10 was even nicer with power everything, a 5 speed and the electronic "parchment" dash. It was neat. After the test drive, the salesman and I sat in the car while it idled and discussed financing details. After a couple of minutes I began to feel uneasy. A few minutes later I realized why...no klatta-klatta-klatta. I thanked the salesman for his time and drove off in the Rabbit. The poor guy probably never figured out that it wasn't him who lost the sale, it was the engine. In early 1990, and 250K on the Rabbit, I went looking for another diesel. Although I loved the Rabbit, I wanted something bigger. MB, Volvo, Toyota, Nissan and BMW didn't offered any new ones and the only used diesels I could find were a few Maxima's and BMW's. The Maxima didn't strike me as being of very high quality and the gal behind the dash constantly reminding me that the door was open, or the headlights were on was really irritating. The BMW, well, that's a whole 'nother story... Imagine a mysterious passerby shouting to you to not buy the BMW because of electrical problems and then vanishing. That spooked me enough that I went to the local VW dealer and bought a new Jetta diesel, which I named "Junior" as in "Lil Toot's son". In late 1997, a pickup backed into my Jetta and took off. The damage was $1500-2000. I had been considering getting an older MB diesel and started looking immediately. In Feb. of 1998 I bought "Mathilde", an '81 240D. Mathilde had 196,000 miles on her, but was in great shape. She wouldn't win any concours events, but she was pretty enough that I received many compliments about how great she looked. I paid $2200 for Mathilde and put another 3 grand into her over the next 4 years. 2K of that was spent at the dealer to replace the clutch, clutch hydraulics, oil cooler and lines. After that, I found an independent MB mechanic. I can honestly say that Mathilde was my favorite of all the cars that I'd owned. She only stranded me one time when the oil cooler lines blew. I could have driven her, but didn't want to chance blowing the engine. My only major complaint was the noise level. That W123 was a little bit quieter at highway speeds than my Jetta. Compared to the Japanese or American cars of similar size, she was downright noisy! Other than that, I loved her and would still be driving her if it were not for some gal, her cell phone and Mitsubishi SUV. In January of this year, the above mentioned "young lady" (who I generally refer to with a single word beginning with the letter "B"...) hopped into her Montero Sport, some 4500 lbs of recycled steel and plastic, connected with a friend on her cell phone and got on the freeway. As she talked, she accelerated, switching from lane to lane and ended up slamming into the back of me doing in excess of 100 mph. Now enter "Bruno", my current MB. Mathilde had given her all protecting me. I had no injuries from the accident, much to the surprise of the insurance company. The safety of that 240D convinced me to stay with MB's. I could have gone and bought a new VW TDI, but I didn't want any car payments and, as safe as they are, they can't touch the MB's. My mechanic knew of an '84 300SD, W126 chassis, that he thought would be reliable. Bruno had 128,000 miles on the ticker and seemed to be in good shape mechanically. The only problem areas were the A/C (blown compressor), torn leather on 2 seats and a minor problem with the clear coat on part of the roof and rear deck. I paid $2400 for Bruno. In the almost 9 months I've owned him, I've replaced 2 shocks, most of the the cooling system, vacuum pump, driver's door handle and had the transmission rebuilt. I consider all the repairs basically one time deals with the exception of the transmission. I hate automatics! If this one starts acting up again, I'll either get rid of it or see if it's possible to convert it to a stick shift. Bruno is a joy to drive. The difference between Mathilde's 67 HP and Bruno's 125 is amazing. I've never seen a diesel that will burn rubber without extensive preplanning! ;-) And this thing is BIG! After almost 20K, I'm still not used to the size. It feels like a 4000 lb. car, which it is, and handles like my 240D. I love it. I hate the automatic transmission and the automatic climate control, which are the same two complaints big John had about his 300SD. So, I guess I can add "Benzaholic" to my addictions. If I have to be a "something-a-holic", "diesel" and "Benz" are the two I would have chosen, and have... Jon '84 300SD 146,518 mi. "Bruno" My current wheels '81 240D 297,000 mi. "Mathilde" RIP '90 VW Jetta diesel 227,000 mi. Still on the road, the last I heard '81 VW Rabitt diesel 280,000 mi. RIP ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2002 16:07:27 -0500 From: "Jim Hoffman" Subject: Re: fix it, don't convert it... Another option would be to do what I did with my tractor engine; Remove the engine from the car. Strip it down to just the block. Then take to your local NAPA or similar parts store. They will sell you the parts and install them into your block. Then you take home and re- assemble. More expensive than doing the whole thing yourself but cheaper than having a repair shop do the whole project. Just a thought... Jim/ '83 240D - -- Jim Hoffman Oconomowoc WI '39 Allis Model B '53 Ford Golden Jubilee '?? Bolens Huskie Gardener ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 04 Nov 2002 12:58:59 -0800 From: Dan J Subject: RE: Diesel Dan's retirement WAS: say what? At 10:02 PM 11/3/2002 -0600, Alec Cordova wrote: >As long as you don't have to stop coming up with your amusing signatures. > >Alec "waiting for my roll of the dice in a nice solid Benz" Cordova >Taylor, Texas >89 300CE Amusing? Is that the best you can do? I would like to think that people that are MBZ owners would also be smart enough to come up with something more than "amusing". ;-) Diesel Dan, your "Well, I can see that I am way out of my league here" man in Washougal, WA ------------------------------ End of diesel-benz-digest V1 #828 *********************************