1983 merc

[tomjonesa22]

My uncle gave us a 1983 merc 380 sel. It's got a v8 it's been in a garga it's entire life. It's got 63,000 miles on it were gonna fix it. Something wrong with the engine the batt dies too fast or well start it and it idles and dies

[IIIII]

Maybe this applies to the 83 model too:

http://www.justanswer.com/mercedes/3...fect-dies.html

[tomjonesa22]

Thanks dude the problem is my dads been autobody for 52 years and doesn't do much mechanic work. It ran around the block a few times

[moron]

if only it were diesel...

[Township Rebellion]

Thats fucking sick, you fix those electrical gremlins and it'll be a hell of a collectors piece.

Probably the battery needs replacing, you should change the alternator, the belt(s), and make sure the grounding and power leads are all okay. You might also want to make sure it's not a fuel delivery problem, you're sure the battery is discharging?

What you should do with the car: obviously resto the body and interior if it needs it, though it sounds like it's probably mint. You should throw some money into building a turbo diesel, if you can do it, one of those 3 liter 24v straight-6s can apparently be made to rev up to 6 grand and make up to 500 hp - and untold amounts of torque with enough boost. Build the drivetrain (and brakes ) to match and maybe set it up with a flash set of shoes and you'll be rolling in style all year long. And outrunning just about everybody, and getting decent mileage when you're cruising.

[tomjonesa22]

My cousin changed the o2 sensor fuel pump oil change oil filter fuel filter it runs nice we took it around the block a couple times it interior is clean we're gonna take it to the mechanic.

[tomjonesa22]

But then the power drains and dies onncr it's up and running my parents are gonns get classic car insurance so we can only drive it 5 k a year. It Got a 24 gallon tank it's glnna destroy my wallet on fill up

[Township Rebellion]

Originally Posted by tomjonesa22

But then the power drains and dies onncr it's up and running my parents are gonns get classic car insurance so we can only drive it 5 k a year. It Got a 24 gallon tank it's glnna destroy my wallet on fill up

You mean the electricity?

As I said, sounds like the Alternator. Remember when replacing the Alt, replace the battery as well. A worn battery will just wear out a fresh alt quickly. You could probably order the part and put it in yourself, you'll be able to find information on how to do it somewhere on the internets - just find enthusiast forums.

Or take it to a mechanic, if you're really underconfident in your mechanical skills.

[moron]

Originally Posted by Township Rebellion

Or take it to a mechanic, if you're a pussy.

fx'd

[tomjonesa22]

i feel challenged to fix it now. It's really up to pops he doesn't wanna drop mad money into it. we went to the merc dealership and got new spark plugs wires alternator and caps then he canceled the order. he hits the junk yards up and pulls fuses but thats about it. maybe this week will do something.

[Zok Jr.]

Originally Posted by Township Rebellion

As I said, sounds like the Alternator. Remember when replacing the Alt, replace the battery as well. A worn battery will just wear out a fresh alt quickly.

Wait, what??

[Township Rebellion]

Yup, you should really change the battery along with the alternator - if the battery is new it should be alright, but if it's old and it has trouble holding a charge, a new alternator alone won't cure that problem.

Generally it puts extra strain on the alt which could cause it to burn out prematurely.

I would tell your dad to reconsider getting those new parts, even from the dealer. Honestly those parts you mentioned shouldn't be too hard to fix, even on an old benz like that. You could do all that shit yourselves in an afternoon.

[Zok Jr.]

Originally Posted by Township Rebellion

Yup, you should really change the battery along with the alternator - if the battery is new it should be alright, but if it's old and it has trouble holding a charge, a new alternator alone won't cure that problem.

Generally it puts extra strain on the alt which could cause it to burn out prematurely.

I would tell your dad to reconsider getting those new parts, even from the dealer. Honestly those parts you mentioned shouldn't be too hard to fix, even on an old benz like that. You could do all that shit yourselves in an afternoon.

Isn't the alternator always working the same amount no matter what when the engine is on? I mean if the belt is spinning its working.

[tomjonesa22]

we get the wholesale cost from dealerships caz he uses the name of the stores he does side jobs on. well see first we gotta fix the 4 runner then this project.

[Township Rebellion]

No, generally the current generated by an alt increases and decreases with engine speed. The alt is designed to be the main power source, yet it's meant to draw that power from the battery. If the batt has a full charge then the alt has no trouble drawing from it and powering the car. If the battery is dead flat and you jump it to let the alt charge it, the alt has to work overtime to charge the battery. This can cause it to fail. A good analogy is like trying to go for a jog in high altitudes; you are not getting enough air, your body needs that O2 to keep "charged", your heart has to work at extreme rates to keep you going. Excess stress plus a lack of oxygen can cause your heart to simply quit.

Something like that anyway.

[Zok Jr.]

Originally Posted by Township Rebellion

No, generally the current generated by an alt increases and decreases with engine speed. The alt is designed to be the main power source, yet it's meant to draw that power from the battery. If the batt has a full charge then the alt has no trouble drawing from it and powering the car. If the battery is dead flat and you jump it to let the alt charge it, the alt has to work overtime to charge the battery. This can cause it to fail. A good analogy is like trying to go for a jog in high altitudes; you are not getting enough air, your body needs that O2 to keep "charged", your heart has to work at extreme rates to keep you going. Excess stress plus a lack of oxygen can cause your heart to simply quit.

Something like that anyway.

Hmm interesting I'll have to read about it.


Anyways OP, you should put some spinners on it. No benzo is complete without some huge ass spinning rims.

[ratfrink]

Photos please.

Does it have air-suspension controlled by a little knob on the dashboard?

[Township Rebellion]

Oh yeah, I forgot to ask about pics. Derp. But yeah, post pics of this thing.

[tomjonesa22]

I'll make a YouTube joint its easier than photobucket tommorow it's raining now my dad drove it far the other day like 40 mile trek no problem.

[tomjonesa22]

[ratfrink]

Fit Euro-spec front lights. Awesome barge.

Does it handle well? I was seriously impressed by the handling of my W123 - better than most cars I've driven, and at the same time more comfortable than any car I've been in. RWD and excellently designed chassis, I suppose.

[tomjonesa22]

When it runs it handles like a champ it feels like your driving a boat though.

[ratfrink]

You might find that the shocks or suspension bushes are worn, if it's excessively boaty.

[constantinople]

Originally Posted by tomjonesa22

When it runs it handles like a champ it feels like your driving a boat though.

I've got me captain's license for short-range vessels up to 50 feet in length. Oh yeah.


You should consider putting real mahogany wood or something in it when all is said and done. The personal touches.

[tomjonesa22]

I am having problems with the classic car plates\registration then state farm fucked it up and put the insurance on a wrong car. I gotta spend Thursday getting all this shot straightened out.