Is it time to start working on the Benz soon?

I start to feel ready for more Mercedes restoration. It is no secret that it was a little intence last winter. The car is in my garage, and now it is waiting for a friend with 30 years experience in a bodyshop. The doors and fenders need some more adjustment before I am satisfied.

If I can raise enough money, the car will be done next spring. But I would't bet on it.....

Dag

Time for a break, and outdoor activity

This is the result of what Egil and I have produced in Egils garage this winter. Egil had a 72 Austin Mini 1000, that he had "forgotten" a few years. In october 2007 we decided to get together and finish it, and then finish the Mercedes. Every monday we met in the garage. And some days in between. We are proud to show you the result of our work! The Mini is ready for registration, and we hope the 220S is finished next spring. I will be working on the interior this summer, and we have planned to install everything next winter.

But first, we are taking a break from restoration and enjoy the norwegian summer.

Thank you Egil for the good teamwork and frienship.

The first drive, ever!!

Yesterday I drove the car for the first time! And this was also the first time I drove a Ponton ever. It is difficult for me to explain in English how I feldt, because this is not my mothers tongue, but in norwegian I would say: Fy f..... for en herlig følelse!! (sorry dad...) What a feeling! The nice view through the windshield (eh. Where it should have been) and the quick trottle responce. The curves on the hood is beautiful from behind the steering wheel. The gear shift worked almost perfect. It is just a little difficult to not hit reverse when I want 1. gear. Maybe I just need some practice? This was a nice experience after nine years with blood, swet and tears. Literally! And yesterdag I also became a member of IPOG. International Ponton Owner Group. I look forward to get familiar with that group.

Transmission

I wrote earlier that I had problems with the gear shift. I didn't find reverse, 1. and 2. Suddenly the stick got stuck so I could not move it at all. I found out that there was no way around to take the transmission out. It was not very difficult, but not very little space and clearance. I didn't find the problem on that transmission, so I decided to put in the other transmission I had. It seemd ok.

Today I manage to do the work finished. I also rinsed the starter when it was already out. We used a LOT of time trying to adjust the rods to the transmission. And before that we used a LOT of time trying to find out how this works. I have to get some information about how this should be adjusted.

I was very exited to test the gearshift. And it worked ok!! 2. gear is difficult, and reverse and 1. gear is very close to each other. I think this is just an adjustment job. Comments wanted.

Doors

Yesterday we manage to mount the doors. Hopefully permanently, but I am afraid I have to take them off for mounting rubber around the doors. (what's the english word??)

This was a difficult job, where we needed a lot of patience and care. And the engineers at Mercedes didn't give us much space. I think the clearance between the panels are supposed to be 5 millimeter. I am close to that all over, but some places it is more, and some places less. The right front door was most difficult, becauce the doorpost is replaced with a new. This is probably 2 millimeter out of position, and that is too much. Some "adjustment" with the grinder at the hinges, and some shims made it fit. There are also some adjustments left at the rear fenders.

I learned that it is a bad idea to tighten the bolts at the fenders before the doors are mounted. This should be done in one operation so it is possible to adjust easily.

I also continued the work with the exhaust system. The cone asbestosbushing between the manifold and pipe costed a "fortune" at the Mercedes dealer. By looking thru the racks at a sparepart dealer, I found out that Mazda 323 is fitted with the same dimension...... (it is almost impossible to see this part...I promise!!)

The car starts to look nice! Agree??

Hood and front fenders

My good friend and helper and I, have done a great job today. I was told it was a good idea to start with the hood because it was easier to "adjust" the innerfenders after the edge of the hood. So we did. We had to testmount the fenders a couple of times to make it fit right. A kind of difficult work I think. And we made a few scratches...... Arrgh. Then we rustprotected the fenders, and had a chokolate and Coca Cola. When the rustprotection were almost dry, (we are very effective some times.....) we mounted them permanently. We used butylband before mounting. And this special plastic band. Even the frontplate we manage to mount today. A very good job think. It is a good feeling to see the shapes of the car is coming true.

Radiator and water hoses

I installed new waterhoses all over the engine. I used 16 mm, 32 mm and 38 mm hoses. At this time I have by-passed the heaterboxes. They need serious restoration at a later time. The radiator was in good condition, and is just painted. After starting the engine, and let it warm up, I could not find any leeks. And the thermostat opened as it should.

At this stage of the restoration I have not used original band clamps. But maybe in the future I will change....

Electrical wiring

As I wrote earlier, I should use the electrical wiring from the donor car. The wiring from my original car was in a very bad shape. On the donor car I could test the funktions before disassemblying. I also marked everything when I was disassemblying. I did not thrust my memory. I had to change some parts of it. Mostly in generator area. I removed all bad textile, and wraped with new fleecetape. And plastic tubings at areas where that is intended. I measured resistans in all cables. I am very satisfied with the result, but I have not been able to test all functions yet.

A happy day

Today I was able to start the car, with the new engine installed. It ran really smooth, and after a while it also ran at idle speed. You should have seen my smile! The clutch seemed ok, but I could not find 1. and 3. gear. And not revers. Not that I know where to find it.... I have never been driving a ponton.

If anyone have a good tip about adjusting gearshift on these cars, please let me know.

Today I also was able to test the brake booster. The brake pedal went out when I started the engine. Is that correct? Opposite of what I am used to.

Refreshing and rustprotecting.

It was time to refresh the paintjob in the engine compartment, and then give the car a good rustprotection. Inside, under and behind. All products used are from Würth Norge.

Changing front axle

I found out that the front suspension on the donor car was in a better condition than my rebuild from the first car. So I decided to change. I lifted the body off the subframe with the engine mounted. Simple. I have not changed any parts on the front suspension. Dont fix it if it's not broken!!

But I bought new enginemounts. Cheap? NOT.

Pictures from the donor car

Nice?

Disassemblying

It's a dirty job to disassembly a 50 years old car. And some times a real pain. I have now done it twice, and is satisfied......

Engine out.

Testing, testing.... It ran like it should.

New house

Today we bought a new house. Whow!!! We look forward to move in. Now I have a good garage to drive my baby into.

Donor car

In october 2007 I bought this donor car. It was running and complete, but the rust had found this car too. I bought it mostly for the engine (very good condition), and the electric wiring. It turned out that the car had a lot of good parts, so this was a very good investment. The donor car is a 58 and my car is a 56, so there are a few differenses on the two cars. Some people may say it's wrong to put a 58 engine in a 56 model, but it works fine for me. And I am the boss.

Painting

From hell to heaven. The paintwork is very nice, and the car shines for the first time in many many years. This has also been a long prosess. The first problem was to find a painter who was willing to do the job. Most painters run when they hear the color and the shape of the roof. The painter who took the job did a very good job, but the price .....No, I dont think we should talk more about that.