You are here:
- Home
- Shopping
- Vintage Cars
- Vintage Cars
Vintage Cars/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| MGB Radiator refill | 2/3/2012 | Ace Mechanic, MT |
| Q: I just installed a new radiator in my 1979 MGB. I have to put in antifreeze but it only has a ... A: There is a plug on top of the thermostat housing. It will be difficult to unscrew because of time ... | ||
| 1933 Hupmobile | 2/1/2012 | Richard Bober |
| Q: 44000 miles body good, seats need redone. Been garaged since 1974. Runs ok. What would the value on ... A: Without more specifics, it would be tough to say. Photographs would allow me to assess the condition ... | ||
| Engine identifications | 1/21/2012 | Ron |
| Q: I hope you're the same Ron, with knowledge of Chevy big block engine i.d. codes. I recently ... A: Hey Mike Tough questions first off you are correct that is a 69 427 your pad inforamtion is correct, ... | ||
| radiator | 1/20/2012 | Christian Boyce |
| Q: i have a 1979 MGB Roadster. I need to change the radiator and get a new one. While taking the old ... A: It does just pull out, there are some tabs INSIDE the radiator, you have to pull it out at a sharp ... | ||
| Radiator | 1/20/2012 | Jo Jesty |
| Q: have a 1979 MGB Roadster. I need to change the radiator and get a new one. While taking the old one ... A: I'm afraid I've never worked on a B this late. I suspect that the switch seal is seized up/corroded ... | ||
| 79 cougar xr-7 | 12/28/2011 | Christian Boyce |
| Q: this isn't a major fix but i figured i would ask but i have a 1979 cougar xr-7 and i wanted to ... A: Personally - I'd get an fm transmitter and plug an mp3 player into it if the radio has fm (slightly ... | ||
| 69 chevelle | 12/22/2011 | Ron |
| Q: Is 12,000 a good price for a good running 69 chevelle malibu cloned to an SS a good price? A: Well that depends,sounds like a fair price .The best place to look is on Ebay for closed sales of ... | ||
| Stalling | 12/6/2011 | Ron |
| Q: After my father's passing I inherited his 168 Mercedez-Benz 280S. I rebuilt the carburators, ... A: these cars are very vacuum sensitive, could be that you have a gasket leak or other, however if you ... | ||
| vin# on 1948 Packard | 11/13/2011 | Ron |
| Q: I have a 1948 Packard convertible. The title has a # that reads G 401634. Is this a valid Packard # ... A: The VIN would have 9 numbers I believe Many states at that time registered a vehicle by the motor ... | ||
| 71 MGB | 10/27/2011 | Jo Jesty |
| Q: What is the voltage on the temperature gauge suppose to be around? A: It's supposed to be 10V, coming from a mechanical voltage stabilizer, which often gets noisy or ... | ||
| 85 mercedes 380sl | 10/22/2011 | Ron |
| Q: I'll be picking up a 1985 380SL I purchased in about 1 week. What type of oil would you suggest I ... A: you need to run 10 -40 . I actually run 15 -40 in mine (450) Sl , depends on climate, but 10 -40 is ... | ||
| 1982 Mercedes 380SL | 10/16/2011 | Ron |
| Q: My 1982 380SL had a 420 SEL engine installed in it by the previous owner. I found out that he put ... A: a non working vacuum advance will kill your horsepower while you are getting up to speed and also ... | ||
| 1979 MGB Turn Signal | 10/11/2011 | Jo Jesty |
| Q: I have a 1979 MGB. Both turn signals quit working but the 4 way flashers work. I checked the fuse ... A: It's likely the turn-signal flasher unit, since the lamps obviously work. (The turn signals and ... | ||
| 1979 sl pressure plate | 9/21/2011 | Ron |
| Q: pressure plate want open on accelaration, not stuck can work it fine by hand on accelaration,just ... A: this plate system can be serviced, but it is an intricate process. Sounds like you have a broken ... | ||
| Can you identifly the make, model and year of this car? | 9/5/2011 | Gordon Petersen |
| Q: I was hoping you could assist me in identifying this car. I believe the photo was taken between ... A: Marianne, I'm reading the numbers that are visible as 775, with the middle 7 being a different ... | ||
| Can you identifly the make, model and year of this car? | 9/5/2011 | Gordon Petersen |
| Q: I was hoping you could assist me in identifying this car. I believe the photo was taken between ... A: Marianne, Sorry, but I don't think I can be a lot of help. I can tell you this isn't a Ford. It's ... | ||
| 29 Hupp coupe | 8/27/2011 | Richard Bober |
| Q: I have a 1929 Hupp 6 wheel coupe. Mother in law seat wire wheels. 95% restored. engine rebuilt, new ... A: Sorry for the delay in answering this question, Ed. I live in New England, and the week has been ... | ||
| packard sedan | 8/20/2011 | Ron |
| Q: have vin 438-324 like too know what model series this is Thank you A: Not enough numbers , what year car ,and where did you find number? There should be two, the "patent ... | ||
| 1967 Austin Healey Sprite Positive Ground With No Spark | 8/17/2011 | Jo Jesty |
| Q: I have a 1967 Austin Healey Sprite (Positive Ground) that I am trying to get on the road again. It ... A: Final comment: the negative-ground pump could well be a problem (hard to insulate the body of a pump ... | ||
| 1967 Austin Healey Sprite Positive Ground With No Spark | 8/17/2011 | Jo Jesty |
| Q: I have a 1967 Austin Healey Sprite (Positive Ground) that I am trying to get on the road again. It ... A: I think it highly unlikely that your fuel pump replacement affected anything, although it does come ... | ||
| 1967 Austin Healey Sprite Positive Ground With No Spark | 8/16/2011 | Jo Jesty |
| Q: I have a 1967 Austin Healey Sprite (Positive Ground) that I am trying to get on the road again. It ... A: Oh dear! I'm a bit baffled too, but let's try. Let's return to the fuel later. Your first priority ... | ||
| 1976 Triumph Spitfire | 8/7/2011 | Christian Boyce |
| Q: Just finished bleeding brakes, test drove, right front brake binding. Wheel difficult to turn by ... A: yes, don't open the two halfs, this forms the pressure vessel - If it's leaking it can certainly be ... | ||
| 1972 350 SL | 8/5/2011 | Ron |
| Q: I am about to change ATF fluid and filter. (4 years and 11.000 miles since last change) 95.800 miles ... A: well a good rule of thumb is 12-15,000 miles. However if the car sits a lot outside and is not ... | ||
| 1985 Mercedes 380 SL | 7/29/2011 | Ron |
| Q: I have a bad popping in the passenger side rear when I corner at 15 or higher mph. It also sounds ... A: could be a lot of things, I would first check the flex disc at the connection between the driveshaft ... | ||
| 1980 mercedes sl350 | 7/28/2011 | Ron |
| Q: the electric windows on my car will not close have checked fuse all ok A: if the motor for the window cannot be heard then probably in the switch,easy to fix the switch , ... | ||
| 1972 350SL | 7/27/2011 | Ron |
| Q: My cousin recently acquired a 1972 Mercedes Benz 350SL with the 4.5 liter V8. It has about 149,000 ... A: You need a pump that will deliver 1 litre in 30sec when voltage is at least 11.5V and fuel pressure ... | ||
| 1972 350SL | 7/25/2011 | Ron |
| Q: My cousin recently acquired a 1972 Mercedes Benz 350SL with the 4.5 liter V8. It has about 149,000 ... A: critical that the fuelpump is the correct pump, these cars require a fuel pressure and damper that ... | ||
| Oil filter gaskets and spin type can filters | 7/18/2011 | Christian Boyce |
| Q: When changing the spin-type can oil filter on US cars since the 1960s, I was trained to ALWAYS apply ... A: The seal is made of a type of rubber that is impermeable to oil and petrol. Less so for petrol since ... | ||
| THROW OUT BEARING | 6/28/2011 | Richard Bober |
| Q: COULD YOU TELL ME WHERE I CAN PURCHASE A TROW OUT BEARING FOR A HUPP MOBILE ... A: I would first contact Hagen's Auto Parts in WA State. Their contact information is 1526 River Road ... | ||
| Still ruff | 6/13/2011 | Ace Mechanic, MT |
| Q: I have a 1985 380 SL what is the correct spark plug gap? I bought this car it has BOSCH ro 970 plugs ... A: Use 8mm ignition wires from MSD or Belkin. That will eliminate the troublesome reistor plug contacts ... | ||
| Correct plug gap & options? | 6/3/2011 | Ace Mechanic, MT |
| Q: I have a 1985 380 SL what is the correct spark plug gap? I bought this car it has BOSCH ro 970 plugs ... A: It would appear that the vehicle has been poorly maintained. Plug gap should be 0.030" to 0.035". It ... | ||
| '77 Mercedes 450 SL odd cranking but no ignition | 5/29/2011 | Ron |
| Q: When I bought a '77 450SL Roadster (107.044 Chassie,117982 Engine),it was hard to start. Got new ... A: well lets start with the pop, I suspect it is your line you see that blew off. Coincidental , ... | ||
| 50's "safety design" car | 5/25/2011 | Richard Bober |
| Q: I was at a car show in the late 50's or early 60's that displayed a unique auto that was touted to ... A: That almost sounds like to Stout Scarab from the late '30s, except for the "articulated" part. I ... | ||
| Vintage Cars Weight | 5/25/2011 | Ace Mechanic, MT |
| Q: Normally what is the weight of a vintage car - total weight. Best regards A: There are two stated weights for motor vehicles. Dry weight and curb weight. Dry weight is without ... | ||
| difficulty in re starting my 1982 380sl Mercedes after it has been running but shut off for a short time. | 5/22/2011 | Ron |
| Q: I have a 1982 mercedes 380sl. I have not problem starting the car after it has been sitting all ... A: your K Jet system can be a bit tough to diagnose your problem lies in one of the following Loss of ... | ||
| 1980 450 sl | 5/14/2011 | Ron |
| Q: My car has about 139,000 miles and it is stored in the winter to keep it protected from the snow, ... A: The K jet system is a fuel regulation system, fuel delivery can be adjusted but I am not sure what ... | ||
| vin number | 5/6/2011 | Richard Bober |
| Q: My tag on the door is gone. Where else is that number stamped at? Also will I be able to see it from ... A: This is somewhat outside my expertise, but a friend has a '56 Bel-Air and as I recall, there is a ... | ||
| Avanti | 5/1/2011 | Ace Mechanic, MT |
| Q: Was crazy about an Avante in the '60s, I believe. Can you tell me who made it and why it went ... A: I would like to know why you think a knowledgeable FIAT/Alfa Romeo mechanic would know about the ... | ||
| 1955 chevy | 5/1/2011 | Gordon Petersen |
| Q: I was wondering the value of a 1955 Chevy Bel Air 4 door, with a 6 cylinder is. The car has ... A: Joe, Value depends on condition and a number of other factors, so I can't give you a accurate ... | ||
| 1983 w107 vent and hot air | 5/1/2011 | Ron |
| Q: Just got my 1983 380sl, everything is great apart from the passenger side vent will not stop blowing ... A: sound like your heater valve is stuck open . Your car has the dreaded heater valve set up,known as ... | ||
Vintage Cars
Ron
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer questions on W114/ W115 /W(R)107/W123/W126 Mercedes models 1967-1985. I have rebuilt many of these cars and have problem solved many issues. I have access to much of the technical data and have deailed instructions on fixing the most common issues. Vintage US 1950-1989 and other foreign cars as well If you are going to ask me about car value, please provide ample information on service history, rust issues, and current "needs". Pictures are helpful. Disclaimer on value - I can only give you data on what the market is bringing, and may not be what you want to hear!
Experience
Maintain, restore vintage Mercedes (W114/W115 /W107/W126)
Organizations
Ronnies Diesel Shack
Publications
Vintage Forum Member on many List serves
Education/Credentials
College Graduate. Self proclaimed and taught Mercedes shade tree mechanic.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.