It's about that time to do a set of guides, rails and chain. Of course, in the process you always want to nail as many "while you're in there" items as well.
Noticed that Parts.com is no longer showing as available all the good parts they used to offer, things like valve cover gaskets, antenna grommets, spark plugs, belts, filters and other such things can no longer be pulled up with the OE part number. Some of the stuff that does still exist on their site has gone up considerably in price over just a few years! I wonder what happened?
I realize there is the Auto HZ place in Arizona and such, but they don't sell OE Mercedes parts, which I prefer when it comes to rubber parts, filters and belts. In the past I have ordered lots of these kinds of items for customers, now when I want to do mine, wouldn't you know it, none of them are pulling up.
Anyone hear what happened?
__________________
What is to give light must endure burning -- Viktor Frankl
No, I don't know what happened, but when you do source your parts, I'd consider grabbing a Valve-grinder, & the OEM Valve-seat cutters, plus the Valve-guide removal / install tool for yourself, & then you could also offer some of your customers "In House" M117 & M116 cylinder head reconditioning services...This type of thing you could almost do inside your house over those cold frozen-over winter months, & / or build-up off-the-shelf Cylinder heads...
Cheers,
Rastus
__________________
"Only an alert & knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial & military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods & goals, so that security & liberty may prosper together". Dwight D.Eisenhower.
I don't know that I could justify the expence of full on equipment like that, I mean where do you draw the line? Before long you're making room for a Boaring bar and a lathe! LOL, might be more cost effective to sublet that work, at least the machine work. Most of the cost is in parts anyway.
I'd be more interested in a Huth pipe bender and a nice Miller Mig welder. Something I can make money on every day.
I have a new set of OE guides but sold off my valve cover gaskets, chain, belts and filters to a customer in need, thinking I'd just order up a new batch. Turns out that's not the case with my past vendor. Guess I'll have to call around. I was thinking that since I have a Mercedes EPC account I could set up with my business to buy them directly from Mercedes EPC. I'll have to check into that.
Really like having a few of the OE rubber bits on hand.
-- Edited by SELLC on Monday 29th of February 2016 12:58:23 AM
__________________
What is to give light must endure burning -- Viktor Frankl
Having the OEM "rubbers" is always good to have, since they fit well & work ! Don't forget the little dohnut copper-washers for the valve covers...The OEM washers are the only ones that work 100% IMO. - Though the suckers are expensive !!! I bought a bag of them thinking it was $02:00, I received 16 of them @ $02:00 each LOL !
Cheers,
Rastus
__________________
"Only an alert & knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial & military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods & goals, so that security & liberty may prosper together". Dwight D.Eisenhower.
I think the most critical parts to get OE Mercedes are the air injection hoses and such. URO made some aftermarket ones but I don't think the people who copied them took into account for the fact that the Mercedes 560 has a cold start injector, and thus there is fuel present in many of the intake hoses. Since they didn't take this into consideration the URO and other brands of intake rubber hoses and elbows all seem to fail in short order. They bulge, split and the next thing you know your car is running like garbage. I think these aftermarket companies are using a compound of rubber that is seriously deficient for the application.
Here is a look at a set of URO rubber hoses less than 1 year old,
I talk more about this problem in this thread - http://autotrend.activeboard.com/t52278151/uro-aftermarket-mercedes-benz-parts-the-good-and-the-bad/
__________________
What is to give light must endure burning -- Viktor Frankl
