Comments for Hal Blog

Comment on Going Topless: Removing the Hard Top on a Mercedes 380SL by hal

hal — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:12:34 +0000

Pete,

I would suggest going to this link:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r-c107-sl-slc-class/

It’s the section in the Benzworld forum specifically for this type of car. The people there are quite intelligent and knowledgeable about this kind of car. I’m not quite clear what you’re asking, but they know MUCH more than I do. (They’re where I’ve learned a lot, too.) Yeah, they do have an odd sense of humor, but they’re good people and mostly harmless!

Burt,

On the right of the main page of this blog is a list of categories. Click on the ones either for the 450SL, the 380SL, or the one for Classic Cars (your best bet) and you get all the stories I’ve written on these cars or anything to do with them.

The shortcut for the particular article you want is http://halblog.com/wordpress/?p=86.

Comment on Going Topless: Removing the Hard Top on a Mercedes 380SL by Burt Burstrom

Burt Burstrom — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:25:31 +0000

Thanks.

Can you let me know where your article is on making a hoist.

Burt

Comment on Going Topless: Removing the Hard Top on a Mercedes 380SL by Pete

Pete — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:47:42 +0000

Hi
Thanks for the info.
I still have one question though, the bolt in the front is always screw in when we fold the softtop ,upon opening the softtop again and try to clamp it we need to unscrew the bolt a bit to leave a space on above and below as to clamp the bolt . A bit complicate , I’ll try to show some pict about that.But if you get it , anyone have a tips to share,please do.
Thank you.

Comment on The Devil’s in the Details by hal

hal — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:28:13 +0000

Last I checked, they were actually letting individuals (not dealers) subscribe for free. Someone on Benzworld pointed that out to me, so I’m not sure what’s going on. I reached a point where I had to stop doing my own repairs due to lack of time, so I haven’t been on Star Tech for a while now.

Comment on The Devil’s in the Details by Erik Huddleston

Erik Huddleston — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:06:38 +0000

Hi,
I was searching for info on replacing a fuel line on my ‘73 450SL and stumbled upon your excellent blog! Your comment about subscribing to STAR TekInfo for $20/year sent me scrambling to that website. Now, the price/year is $2950. Did they just drastically raise the price one day? Too bad as I could use that kind of resource. I own the manuals for my car but sometimes at work I need to quickly look up a part and would love to be able to do so quickly.

Again, thanks for taking the time to put this blog together. Really interesting. Glad things are going well with your 380SL!

Thanks,
Erik

Comment on An Early Original: The Most Popular Mercedes Convertible Ever by Jodie

Jodie — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:51:02 +0000

I just made a dream come true! I picked up my 1980 champagne gold 450SLC last night - she is all class. Her name is Stephanie…

Comment on Going Topless: Removing the Hard Top on a Mercedes 380SL by Therese

Therese — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:47:26 +0000

Thank-you so very much. I got if off for the first time a month ago and went to remove it yesterday with out any luck and I couldn’t figure out what I was doing wrong. You answered all my questions.
Signed,
Now Taking the Heat in Sunny Florida!

Comment on Removing the top on a Mercedes 380SL with a $25 Hoist by hal

hal — Mon, 25 May 2009 01:22:17 +0000

Weather Man, Thanks for the info on that. I’ll have to look into it. When I set it up, I just basically did a quick job so I could get the top off that evening — and was just so excited to finally be able to drive out that night, in my OWN convertible, and drive through the cool night air. I got it up and it was working — and one rule I’ve learned to follow from much grief in life is “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” so once I had it working, I left it as is. But you bring up two things that are VERY simple to add, so I’ll probably go out and get the parts and fix it this fall, when it’s time to use it again.

I know of someone who leaves their soft top suspended all summer long and says he’s seen no sign of warping or bending. That’d be a nice way to store it, if I could feel certain there would be no rubbing from the webbing or anything like that.

Comment on Removing the top on a Mercedes 380SL with a $25 Hoist by Weather Man

Weather Man — Sat, 23 May 2009 16:18:18 +0000

I’m one of those sailors you describe.

You can avoid the “On mine, the rope tends to rub a bit against the sides of the blocks because of several angles and how things align…” by using a swivel block.

Also I would run the tail at a right angle from the main eyebolt over to a single block or eye directly above your cleat. Have you thought of using a jam-cleat? It might make it simpler to do with one hand and is a quick release.

I like your idea of webbing straps! Genius! Right now I’m looking for an old used ski rack to clamp to the gutters but if I can’t find one, I’ll make one from straps as you did.

I’ll get the stuff at Boater’s World nearby which they’re going out of business.

Comment on I Find My Convertible by hal

hal — Tue, 19 May 2009 20:23:57 +0000

Hmmm. You’re the second person today to ask me about a ‘73 450SL. The first was someone who was looking at buying the one I used to own. Any chance you’re talking about the same one — were you looking at buying it or is this one you’ve had?

I take my 380SL to Mercedes Benz Imports, or M. B. Imports on Research Rd. I can highly recommend talking to Roger there. I don’t want to post a phone number on the web, so I’m going to email it to you directly.