Restoring an old 180db Mercedes Benz (Ponton) from 1960. A barn find ?

[LostKiwi]

Did you hone the bores before fitting the new pistons/rings?

 

[anyweb]

i did not, but I assume my mechanic did (I'll ask him).

here's what I did today..

https://www.mb180db.com/2018/11/grinding-the-remaining-4-valves-and-cleaning-up-some-more/

 

[anyweb]

more bad news, the valve guides are worn and need to be replaced, anyone know of any place in the UK that sells them ? and how much do they cost ?

the cylinder head will get these new valve guides, and some more grinding before the head is planed off (or whatever it's called to make it shiny smooth). So more cost on top of the mounting bills, this project is taking forever and costing lots, i see no end to the gloom to be honest.... but i want to hear this engine running...

 

[LostKiwi]

Pretty much any engine rebuilder will be able to source valve guides, press them in and ream to size.
If possible use phosphor bronze guides as they have better wear characteristics and are less prone to galling if clearances care tight (you can run them far tighter than other materials - as tight as 0.001" for inlet and 0.0015" for exhaust!).
Don't use silicon aluminium ones.

 

[davemercedes]

It's good to see you're still hard at it, Niall. Keep the faith - one day soon-ish you'll be a "Restored Classic " owner!

 

[anyweb]

thanks Dave, every time my phone rings and it's the Indie that's fixing the engine (well there's two of them) I get scared... but hopefully one day there will be light at the end of this very dark tunnel.

 

[anyweb]

ok more bad news, the cylinder head resurfacing guy spotted a crack near one of the valve holes so i was advised to get a replacement head...



@Severnless

can you expect the head you have and tell me do you see any cracks in it please ? if you need to clean it up use an emery cloth, please photo the head you have so i can decide if it will do (or not)

if that head is no good then does anyone know where i can get a head at a good price that actually is not cracked or b0rked ?

cheers
niall

 

[rifiki]

Have a look at German Ebay, there several Diesel motors for sale, it may be a cheaper option.

 

[Severnless]

Hi Niall

Sorry to hear the bad news, but don’t let it get to you, it’s only a car and can be fixed!
There looks to be a crack, but it’s on the injector seat area rather than the valve seat, so not sooo bad? Needs looking at by an engineer.
I replied with some photos back in November, on post #177 but have quoted it for you
If you want some more let me know
Cheers

Hi Niall


Great to see you back at it!! Also a nice little project to do with your lad! Just imagine his face when you start the engine for the first time after the rebuild! Priceless

For the head and lapping the valves LK advice is spot on, as for the pitted valve seat, it will seal for a short time but best practices is to get the seat replaced or at least re-cut..
Just for fun I had a dig in my shed to get to your spare engine. Found the head did a quick clean off of the red dust and these are the photos I took
View attachment 46777 View attachment 46778 View attachment 46779 View attachment 46780 View attachment 46781 View attachment 46782 View attachment 46783
As you might see no.2 has a bit of pitting on the head but the valve seat looks to be okish
The biggest problem is the hairline crack on no.3 injector seat, really don’t think it’s that bad but would need to be checked over by a specialist
Also all of the valve stem guides have been knocked out!
If you need any more info with your engine let me know, also if you want just a bit of the engine sending over, then please let me know.

 

[LostKiwi]

Hi Niall

Sorry to hear the bad news, but don’t let it get to you, it’s only a car and can be fixed!
There looks to be a crack, but it’s on the injector seat area rather than the valve seat, so not sooo bad? Needs looking at by an engineer.
I replied with some photos back in November, on post #177 but have quoted it for you
If you want some more let me know
Cheers

Is that a small crack on the seat?

 

[Severnless]

Hi LK

I see what you mean, could be a crack, but it’s dark outside and cold! So I will venture out to the shed in the morning and take some more photos, but looking closely at the photo it only looks like the valve seat?

 

[LostKiwi]

Hi LK

I see what you mean, could be a crack, but it’s dark outside and cold! So I will venture out to the shed in the morning and take some more photos, but looking closely at the photo it only looks like the valve seat?

Hopefully so in which case a new insert can be used to sort it.

 

[Severnless]

Hi Niall

Right I’ve ventured up to the shed cleaned the surfaces a bit and taken some HD photos.
As you can see no3 has a small crack near the injector sleeve, but it also follows through towards the valve seat
This is the the only damage that I can see, apart from pitting on no 2, but I would not wright it off yet.
It needs to go to an engineer to see if it’s worth repairing.
I’m about 2mins away from ‘Halesowen engines’ which seem to have a good rep, can at least drop it off to let them look at it?
Let me know
Cheers

 

[anyweb]

ok more bad news, the cylinder head resurfacing guy spotted a crack near one of the valve holes so i was advised to get a replacement head...



@Severnless

can you expect the head you have and tell me do you see any cracks in it please ? if you need to clean it up use an emery cloth, please photo the head you have so i can decide if it will do (or not)

cheers
niall

View attachment 47693 View attachment 47694 View attachment 47695 View attachment 47696 View attachment 47697 View attachment 47698 View attachment 47699 View attachment 47700 View attachment 47701
Hi Niall

Right I’ve ventured up to the shed cleaned the surfaces a bit and taken some HD photos.
As you can see no3 has a small crack near the injector sleeve, but it also follows through towards the valve seat
This is the the only damage that I can see, apart from pitting on no 2, but I would not wright it off yet.
It needs to go to an engineer to see if it’s worth repairing.
I’m about 2mins away from ‘Halesowen engines’ which seem to have a good rep, can at least drop it off to let them look at it?
Let me know
Cheers

thanks so much for doing this, i'll check with my mechanic and see what he says, please don't go to any more trouble for now

cheers
niall