300 SEL 6.3 replacement exhaust system.

[carl888]

Trying to assist a friend with a 300 SEL 6.3 I'm storing on his behalf. Situation is the current exhaust is a wonderful example of grandfather's axe, its been patched, damaged, patched again, rusted, cobbled up, you know the story!

Car is located in Melbourne and I've suggested making a new one in 304 SS. Problem is, I can't find anyone willing to take on the job. For the Italian cars I work on its never been an issue but for some reason, this beast seems to be.

I also looked at fitting at complete OEM system but the centre section is now NLA according to MBA. Chassis number is 003314 so it's before the first break point in the parts list (Not sure if that's significant or not).

I searched the archives under "6.3 exhaust" and "6.3 muffler" but turned up nothing.

Manifolds appear nice, so need everything after is what the car requires.

I would appreciate any information as to whom you may suggest to take this on.

Thank you,

CJ.

[markb]

Hi Carl,
Worth having a chat to Mr.Muffler in Prahran (the owner is Trevor) He has done a few systems for me over the last 20 years, very helpful and prices are competitive...he runs regular ads. in MBCV magazine.

Cheers
Mark

[T-Modell]

Hi Carl,

I have two systems from Theo Sobkowiak (W111 / R107); in his price list there's one for the 6.3, but it could be only for LHD (as he explicitly mentions RHD for the W100). Maybe find out, if the exhaust system for LHD and RHD are different ...

Regards
Thomas

P. S.: Here's the link: http://www.theo-sobkowiak.de/preisliste ... ste_17.pdf

[lintonxy]

Problem is, I can't find anyone willing to take on the job. For the Italian cars I work on its never been an issue but for some reason, this beast seems to be.

So what is it that would make an exhaust installer baulk at this installation? Is it something to do with the airbag suspension on the W109?

Are exhaust installation problems common with these old girls? My 280SE has had one installed that has its bend on the engine pipe section so low that you can see daylight above it when viewing from the side?! Why would it be installed that low? Have a I missed a constraint that I've not understood (such as it not requiring removal of the exhaust to change the spark plugs/starter motor/glove box light?!), or is it just a poor installation?

[merc-304]

Poor installation...love to see a pic of that drop pipe.....and whats the clearance from bottom of the pipe to bitumen ?

[carl888]

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the note. Was in conversation at the time of writing with Trevor, it's been a while since he'd done one however wanted to see the car first, no great problem, but was hoping he could recall the job from his last 6.3 before we took it further.

Thomas thank you for the reference to Theo, I will have a look and see if the exhaust is universal L to RH drive.

Linton, the problem I am seeing is it's getting more difficult to find people that understand cars from the 1960s and 1970s. The experts who worked on them when new are either retired or dead. With the overheads of running a shop these days, I can understand why people are reluctant to take on specialist jobs if you become the test case for something that doesn't fit. It just ends up with a shop that can't charge all their labour out making it a loss making exercise and an unhappy customer. Your 280 SE exhaust sounds incorrect, can you post a pic?

I am surprised I can't buy a 6.3 system off the shelf, which would be my preference. Then I could install it myself. Anyway, I'll head to the MBCV meeting Monday and ask around.

CJ.

[Mercmad]

A customer of mine got a new system made from scratch here. Has the correct crossover etc etc and sounds wonderful. If you need to see pics of how it all alys out, go to "time valve " http://www.timevalve.com/cat/us/p08a.html Make sure it's done in stainless and a minimum of 2.25" Diameter .Left and right hand drive are different because of the steering and that crosso ver is deadly important. Leave it out and performance will suffer.