Originally posted by mjweimer
Originally posted by paynemw
paynemw I don't have any plans for an engine swap. The Eta engine, while relatively slow, is rock solid reliable and once this is done I really want to enjoy driving the car. I've probably only put about 2000 miles on it in the last 2-3 years because, projects. Some of the things I've done to the car (3.25 lsd, manual swap, Conforti chip) have livened it up enough that it's still a blast to drive without sacrificing reliability. The last thing I want to do is scratch the paint trying to hoist an engine in/out just for a few more HP. If for whatever reason I need to pull the head (I'm still worried about my head gasket after it overheated a few months ago), I'd consider doing an 885 head "stroker" build, but I highly doubt it, at least not in the near future and only if something went wrong with the current, sub-100k mile engine.
Last weekend was kindof gross out so I didn't want to pull the car out of the garage too much. I ended up just getting a bunch of smaller, annoying things done. First, I pulled the HVAC panel out and looked into my recirc flap issue. Turns out I just jammed the flap door motor when I disconnected the flap to pull the IHKS cover off when removing the windshield wiper mechanism. I unplugged the motor, removed it, and tested it. Once the arm wasn't jammed against the IHKS, it began to work again, I just re-installed it, plugged it in, and was good to go.
Next, I got the remaining trim refinished:
Then got to work polishing all the chrome trim (even though its really just aluminum):
There were water spots all over the place. I ended up just using some fine buffing compound and a wool pad on my small detail buffer. Came out really good, didn't get all the scratches out but definitely much shinier.
Before on the left, after on the right:
Then I buffed the vent window trim, looking fresh:
Next, got them all put back together with new hardware:
There are 5 of these little plastic clips per vent trim piece, you just pop them into the holes on the painted part:
Push the tabs down (this was actually a huge bitch, the tabs are plastic and super tight and they were difficult to pop in without bending the palstic):
Then the chrome insert just snaps in:
Added the little rubber buffers and neoprene strip to the back to prevent them from rubbing up against the paint:
Then started getting all the chrome trim reinstalled with new clips:
Was a helluva lot easier getting the trip put back on then it was taking it off.
Next got a few trim items put back on the trunk.
Started with new license plate lights and mounting brackets:
Forgive the orange peel on the license plate section, it will be covered so I didn't go too crazy buffing there as I didn't want to risk burning through any of the many edges in that area.
Old vs new:
Then got the tail lights buffed and installed with new gaskets:
Last thing I did in the trunk was to wire in a second trunk light:
I made 2 lengths of wire, each attached to a "piggyback" connector. The end has both a female end with an attached male spade:
Plug the female end of the piggyback into the original light, connect the male spade to power/ground, and then run across to your new light and plug in normally:
Then I removed the old tool box foam that was all rusty, there will be a nice upgrade going in its place soon:
Rounding out the tail lights, my check panel "brake" light has been on since Big Al still had the car. I've done everything, made sure all bulbs were the correct OEM ones, cleaned all the contact surfaces, replaced the brake pedal switch, etc. Only thing left as a possible culprit is the chip in the back of the 3rd brake light, the connections tend to go bad over time:
I ordered a new one awhile back that had just been sitting in a box of all my new parts. To my surprise there were TWO new ones in the box when I finally opened it! Score:
Plugged it in, and sure enough the "brake" light is off for the first time since I've owned the car!!!
Got the door locks and handles installed with new rubber buffers:
Then got a new window guide installed. Unfortunately only the passenger side is available at the moment, I had to reuse the old one on the driver's side. If the Driver's ever comes available again I'll replace it with a fresh one:
Also unfortunately, when reinstalling the driver's door glass I found that the window regulator was really struggling to come up and was grinding a bit no matter how I adjusted the glass. Had hoped to get the doors totally buttoned up and the door cards reinstalled, have ordered a replacement regulator that I'll get to this weekend.
Replaced the hood and valve cover ground straps with BavRest upgrades, the originals were falling apart:
Still need to give the engine bay a proper washdown of all the compound flakes everywhere.
Last but not least, I replaced all the windshield washer components:
Not exactly sure why the new clips are slime green instead of white, but I guess it adds a nice modern "pop" of color to the engine bay:
New nozzles:
Installed some new vent grilles while I was in there:
The last bit of yellowed plastic is now gone, the engine bay is finally all sparkly and new:
The cap is actually the Mercedes part that Jordan has recommended in the past, P/N 1638690508
I know this post was a ton of small, insignificant "victories" but am hoping to have something much more profound this weekend!
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