The Rebirth of a C36 AMG

[anf6789]

As some of you know, I have been having problems with my '97 C36.. Weeks have gone by without me driving it due to crank sensor/fuel pump problems, and the latest weird misfire. After giving up trying to diagnose it myself, I managed to limp it over to my Indy MB mechanic who had it for a week. Diagnosis, needs a wiring harness. Now its not bad like what happens with the 94-96 M104's (crumbling, ect) It actually looks really good. I trust his word, because even he was stumped for a while, and refused to take any money for the diagnosis. Found a used Harness on eBay and figured I'd give it a shot. Since my Head Gasket leaks oil on the ground and into the Coolant, I decided to do that as well. I'll be posting up here pictures and most likely pissed off rants of things not working/going as expected. I've already started the work in my garage, so far so good. I refuse to let this car die.

Valve Cover Off

Painted it VHT wrinkle black, had sprayed it gold first, but wasn't digging it. the Wrinkle came out great!

Got the timing cover off. Ignore the nailpolish marks after I did that realized I had to turn the engine over to TDC


Got the Intake Manifold and Fuel Rail off today will post some pics of that when I get a chance.

[RemoLexi]

You need a special fan clutch tool to remove the fan, also the chain tensioner is hidden behind the alternator, 27mm socket. Make sure you know how to reset the chain tensioner, otherwise you can snap the exhaust cam in half, bend valves ect.

[anf6789]

Yep, thats why i'm taking it slow, asking you a bunch of questions lol. Definitely more than I expected but i'm up for the challenge.

[anf6789]

.....expect lots of texts over the next week haha.

[Scary-Larry]

Good for you, don't let the car die. Keep up with the news, let us know what's going on. I hope it all works out well. Is that ADT security on the car in that picture?

[taz069]

That dowel pin holding the rail on the intake side will have to be removed to get the head off. The bolt size you will need to get is the same size as the ones' that hold the thermostate cover on their is 3 of them. I went to ace a picked up a 3-4 inch one some washers and 2 nuts. Using a small deepwell socket that fits over the pin screw in the longer bolt and tighten up the nut. It will come right out well mine did. Good luck.

[taz069]

Not for sure of the special fan tool remo is speaking of. On my 96 c280 I took a 8mm allen and grinded off the short end making it about half the original lenght and with the belt on my clutch and fan came off fine. Not the head bolt's require a 12mm 12 point star,torq's like tool. Don't use the 6 point!!!!!!! Also their are spec's for head and cam cap bolt's. I just replaced all of mine to be on the safe side. In the performace section i Started a thread c280 head work. Might find some interesting points in it. Good luck. Also a valve job might be needed.

[anf6789]

thanks for the great info taz!

[anf6789]

oh and larry, that ADT sticker is a joke, i've got a hole bunch and my friend thought it would be funny, never got around to taking it off. Good luck stealing the car now though...

[anf6789]

Just ordered my special 12.9 grade non-stretch head bolts. I've read some good things on them and that they relieve some of the HG issues on m102/3/4 motors.. $50 for 15 one more than needed.. M12x1.75x160mm for those wondering.. One step down from ARP but much better than stock.... I'll post up the tq procedure, too.

[Dearlove]

why no ARP?

[anf6789]

$45 vs $200 figured I'd give it a shot

[Pagz]

I really like the wrinkle finish!!

If the new head bolts are not torque to yeild will you have to re-tighten them in the short term?.

If you have enough time and patients you can rebuild your wiring harness, the plug pins should be removable with the right homemade tools,you can then strip back a small amount from the crimp pin and solder to it. the coaxial parts are alittle bit tricky but can be done and could save alot if your on a budget.

[anf6789]

Pagz The bolts are not torque to yeild. they are the strongest grade metric fastener, though. The turbo bandit guys from Sweden use them exclusivly and actually emailed me the torque procedure.. You torque it down and then warm it up cool off than torque it down the next day again... I'll post up the specs when I get a chance.. Don't mind removing the valve cover to torque them down again.. I already received my "new" used harness so hopefully it solves my misfire problems.

[anf6789]

Head Freshly removed

Heres the Head

both before a good cleaning and a trip to the machine shop to see whats up

[Dearlove]

god the wall thickness, or lack of, makes me cringe...

[anf6789]

^^ AMG really wanted us to turbo these things! All forged everything I think it'll be ok...for a while..

[John Jones Jr.]

afn6789, watching with interest. Keep up the good work. What brand of head gasket set did buy get?

[anf6789]

Its an Elring HG Kit

Brought the head to the machine shop today for them to gauge the flatness. Needs to be refinished so had to take camshafts out.


some parts

Intake

Exhaust

one of many casualties taking the cam caps off

[Pagz]

I broke my 1/2" Koken Torx too when doing the cam caps they are super tight for that sized key!

Sounds like you have the head bolts sorted I hope they help the HG issues!!

[John Jones Jr.]

Its an Elring HG Kit

Good stuff.

[anf6789]

Got the bolts yesterday and test fitted them... Luckily they fit! They are hefty as hell! It seems this car had the original head gasket! Nuts for a 165k mile C36!

[anf6789]

The C36 started today!! still a bunch of things to tidy up but I didnt blow it up...yet!

[anf6789]

Well car decided to start leaking out copious amounts of transfluid from what looks like the top of the trans.... I think I may of hit the dipstick while putting the head back in....??? Maybe knocked it out of the top of the trans.....?? Kinda pissed of because this has nothing to do with any repairs I've done!!

[vixen_w202]

Well car decided to start leaking out copious amounts of transfluid from what looks like the top of the trans.... I think I may of hit the dipstick while putting the head back in....??? Maybe knocked it out of the top of the trans.....?? Kinda pissed of because this has nothing to do with any repairs I've done!!

Don't feel bad, I dunno what it is about Mercedes in general but everything whether it be an upgrade or repair, my car finds some silly way to kick me in the crotch, get me using about every curse word in the book and troll me.....