Just bought a 1972 280E, help needed...

[markjarvis]

Hello everyone

I've just bought a 1972 280E, for the amazing price of £20. I found it in a scrap yard waiting to be destroyed, as the owner didn't have time to work on it. I fell in love with it immediately, and realise that it probably needs a lot of work doing to it. Unfortunately I am a complete novice when it comes to car mechanics, so don't really know where to start. The car itself looks great, the bodywork is in almost perfect condition and there is very little rust. The owner informed me that he had it running only a few months ago. He also said that there was a slight split in one of the spark plug seals, so the spark plugs need cleaning regularly. I purchased a new battery as the old one was completely dead, and cleaned the plugs. Tried to get it started, but it just won't fire.

I realise that I don't really know what I am doing. ANY help or guidance at all would be much appreciated...

Cheers, Mark

[Russel Weston]

Hi Mark

I used to have one of these, 4 speed manual. When I got mine, it was also being dumped as it wouldnt start. I had two problems, the first was very minor, the enging wouldnt always turn when I tried to start. On the inside front right panel, was a connector block. The screw and wires for the starter were heavily oxidised and loose. I repaired that, replaced Dist cap and Rotor, poured a bit of fuel down the air inlet( Remove the air filter), It would then turn and fire, only to die. A blocked fuel pipe was to blame for the main problem.
Regards

[markjarvis]

Cheers Russel. I've got a mechanic to take a look at mine, he said it wasn't sparking properly, but other than that it was fine. So I think I've got myself a bit of a bargain!

Just one hour before I went to collect the Merc from where I'd bought it, someone stole the wheel trims and the emblem (from on the front of the bonnet). Does anyone have any suggestions as to where I might be able to pick up replacements, and a rough idea of how much it would cost me?