6.9 # 7114 - it lives !

[Styria]

Hi Craig, that is great news. It's always satisfying to get a good result after doing all the work and the money you have spent. Mind you, I do think that the car will need a decent run to shake out any gremlins that may still be lurking in the background.

Talking about taking cars for a shake-out run and not experiencing any niggling problems, can be extremely satisfying. I have carried out two valve grind and de-coke jobs on GB and also my Astral Silver 6.9 that ChrisP. bought, and not a single oil or water leak from either engine. Also, be careful when taking your car for a "run around the block" - cops are never that far away in our area. Regards, Styria

 

[Oversize]

What great news! How exactly did you bleed the injectors? I've come to realize there's lots of problems caused by bad fuel in old cars and it pays to use it well before it goes off

 

[Michel]

Nice to read the good news Craig.
You know I have a soft spot for #7114...

Maybe we'll see it at the GTG?

 

[BenzBoy]

Good news!

 

[CraigS]

What great news! How exactly did you bleed the injectors? I've come to realize there's lots of problems caused by bad fuel in old cars and it pays to use it well before it goes off

Just need to turn the key on, disconnect the fuel safety switch, then crack open the injectors until they start to dribble. Easy !

 

[CraigS]

Nice to read the good news Craig.
You know I have a soft spot for #7114...

Maybe we'll see it at the GTG?

If I get a chance to change the drag link and do a couple of other things, there is a good chance.

 

[Styria]

Hi Craig, another way to test the system is with the engine running, and loosening each connection on the Fuel Distributor. It is probably also a bit easier to test the system that way. Regards Styria

 

[CraigS]

Yes, agreed, but I prefer to do it at the injectors to eliminate any possibility that there is a blockage in the distributor.

 

[CraigS]

Some good news for a change ! I was able to get both the 6.9 and the 6.3 back on the road this weekend. The 6.9 still needs the tuning sorted (doesn't like to idle) but that shouldn't take too much to resolve. Otherwise, all is good and plenty of power once it gets through its idle problem. Just the steering coupling to do after that.

The 6.3 is also starting and running well. No miss anymore but the supposedly rebuilt water pump is leaking and noisy so it looks like that will have to come out at some stage.

All in all, a very productive weekend.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that I did a compression test on the 6.3 this week, and average reading was 180 psi - high of 190 on one and low of 175 on another but generally all around the 180 mark. Also checked the timing chain and alignment on the cams was perfect - it could not be better even with a new chain.

 

[Michel]

Some good news for a change ! I was able to get both the 6.9 and the 6.3 back on the road this weekend. The 6.9 still needs the tuning sorted (doesn't like to idle) but that shouldn't take too much to resolve. Otherwise, all is good and plenty of power once it gets through its idle problem. Just the steering coupling to do after that.

The 6.3 is also starting and running well. No miss anymore but the supposedly rebuilt water pump is leaking and noisy so it looks like that will have to come out at some stage.

All in all, a very productive weekend.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that I did a compression test on the 6.3 this week, and average reading was 180 psi - high of 190 on one and low of 175 on another but generally all around the 180 mark. Also checked the timing chain and alignment on the cams was perfect - it could not be better even with a new chain.

Great news...(for a change).
Can't wait to see #7114

 

[Styria]

I'll second Michel's thoughts. I am hoping that we will soon have another get-together (celebrating Christmas ?), and just maybe we can manage to assemble a few 116s, 107s and even 108/109s. I am not fussy any more - well, I can't afford to be.

Those compression readings for the 6.3 are excellent - as far as replacement of the water pump is concerned, will you have to remove the radiator first ? As you know, the four 10 millimetre bolts are not real easy to get to, and you also have the job of having to move (adjust) the power steering belts. All in all, not that pleasant a job. Good luck with everything, and keep us posted. Regards Styria

 

[CraigS]

Yes, the radiator will have to come out, but it is the only way to get access to all the belts and the fuel filter - which makes sense to change as well (and the belts). The pump was supposedly rebuilt so probably it was just painted and not done - even though they charged $825 for doing it. Since this was done under insurance after the flood claim, I am trying to get them to cover it under their lifetime repair guarantee. Not sure how successful that will be, but worth a try. If they do decide to cover it, I will have MB Classic Star do the job. At least that way, it will be done within a day or so, whereas if I do it, it will take a couple of weeks or more by the time I pull the pump out on a weekend, send it away for rebuilding then reinstall it.

 

[CraigS]

Quick update on both cars. The water pump for the 6.3 has been rebuilt and will be installed shortly. A spare pump was rebuilt so no need to take the car of the road for an extended period.

The 6.9 has very poor compression on the right bank, so we are going to rebuild a spare set of heads and swap them over when rebuilt. I suspect that this has been the problem all along and the reason why it would not idle smoothly. I don't believe there is any problem with the bottom end of the motor - just a problem with the valve seats, possibly due to pitting. The injection system probably needed rebuilding anyway, so the money has not been wasted. It will also give me a chance to replace the sticking solenoid on the starter motor - which incidentally are not available, but I found a replacement, which hopefully will do the job.

 

[Lukas]

How do you know the starter solenoid is sticking - does the starter spin rather than crank the engine when trying to start?

I found a replacement over a year ago on ebay for mine, yet to fit so don't know if it's compatible.

 

[Styria]

Lukas, does your 6.9 go ? Never hear anything about it. Any news at all ? Regards Styria

 

[CraigS]

How do you know the starter solenoid is sticking - does the starter spin rather than crank the engine when trying to start?

I found a replacement over a year ago on ebay for mine, yet to fit so don't know if it's compatible.

With the spark plugs in, there is enough compression when it starts to push the solenoid back. Without the plugs in, it will continue to crank until I disconnect it at the battery.

 

[Styria]

Hi Craig, I know you are well connected, and extremely resourceful, but if you are looking for an engineering shop to prepare and fully service two spare heads, there is an Engineering Shop at Thornleigh that come with superb craftmanship. I am trying to recall how much the heads for GB came to, but it may have been close to the one grand mark - may have been less.

If I recall correctly, I also had them replace the valve guides, but I bought them in separately at additional cost. You may also be aware that there are two lengthy threads on TK which dealt with R & R of heads on both GB and the Astral Silver 6.9 that is now owned by Chris P. in Western Australia. Regards Styria

 

[CraigS]

The heads will be done by Peak Rebores at Mortdale. Cost around $1200 with new guides (if needed), so in the ballpark of what you mentioned.

The motor the heads are coming off has only done about 150,000 km - not much in 6.9 terms.

Removal of the heads is not a particularly pleasant job, but I hope to do it down at MB Classic Star, which will give me the benefit of a hoist, and their expertise (and likely assistance) so we should be able to R & R in a day. The intake manifold will be easy as that was off recently, so no broken bolt issues likely.

 

[Lukas]

Lukas, does your 6.9 go ? Never hear anything about it. Any news at all ? Regards Styria

It's all good - replaced the front suspension valve linkage about half a year ago after it fell off at 100km/h - that was exciting. The starter is still "screwey" (sometimes spinning instead of engaging and cranking), hence the solenoid, but have not replaced that yet. Have a hoist now, so hopefully the starter will have another attempt this coming Christmas.

Apart from that, it's the same old story of me not driving it enough. Am enjoying motoring around in the 450 though - that is getting more mechanical attention than any of the others.

 

[SEL_69L]

I notice that there is a separate vertical oil radiator alongside the main engine cooling radiator. With right hand drive, does this mean your 6.9 is an English car, with the high compression 286 horsepower engine?