island-sl

Hello all. I sold my trusty W123 280ce a few months ago and acquired a very tired 1990 500SL a couple of weeks ago. I couldn't refuse -- it needed a good home. Bought for Cdn$2100 (about US$1550) and added a set of 17" monoblocks for another $600. Body, paint and glass are very good and it has a new soft top that works, interior is rough, many controls/switches are in-op (A/C, cruise, interior lights), hardtop headliner is bad, and it has... 400k km. Engine has a misfire -- I'm working through the ignition system and fuel system with lots of Rock Auto parts. It constantly stalled at intersections and was very sluggish. But I have got it running a bit better with no stalling and it reached 120kph with minimal stumble but I think it's still on 7 cylinders. I have attacked the carpets and leather and after the first round things are improving.
I'm sure I will be trolling the Forum often looking for info and answers as the project progresses. Thanks in advance.

JB63

Exterior looks mint. Enjoy!

Kebowers47

Tis a beautiful looking car, with no 'cancer' evident. FIRST thing to tackle is the misfire. Run a compression test to rule out the mechanical problems (cam, lifter rings, valves) Then go deeper a system at a time---lowest cost first--plugs then wires, distributor----then on to fuel related issues---fuel pressure, injector plugging, non-opening, no signal; finally hard parts in valve train. By then you should have solved the misfire issue. With a solid engine to work with (assuming cooling system is A-OK, ) transmission operation is next big ticket item. A complete transmission service--change fluid, filter-inspect flex disks and mounts. Then tackle the brakes, and finally the suspension joints and links. Only when you have a good handle on all the mechanical issues, start on the body and interior.