Mercedes Replica Forum

Well, making some progress, got the 4.0 V6 shoehorned into the Mercedes Marlene frame now.
 

Well, making some progress, got the 4.0 V6 shoehorned into the Mercedes Marlene frame now.
 

I was just checking to see how the V-8 transplant was coming with your Marlene.  As I stated before, I am interested in doing the same thing this Spring.  

Everything is done except the radiator.  I wanted plenty of cooling so am having an aluminum radiator built, large capacity.  I live in Texas and the summers are pretty brutal sometimes.  I have a Vintage Aire AC on the car and want to be able to use it in 100+ weather with no overheating.  After all the mechanical stuff, they are going to build a concave dish in the tranny tunnel and move the gas and brake pedals to the right.  That will give a space for the left foot and make distance driving a lot more comfortable.  Here in West Texas, any town is a long drive.

I probably have another 3 weeks to a month to wait before everything is done.  The killer is the waiting.  250 hp in a 2300lb. car should be a lot of fun.  

looks like I need to get a mercedes replica to join the club, they look like fun!  

It sounds like your engine transplant project for your Marlene is getting pretty complicated.  Did you buy a wrecked car to get your engine and other necessary parts or did you get a remanufactured engine or a brand new engine for your transplant?  Did you have any trouble fitting the 302 motor in the engine comparatment or did you have to make any modifications first?  

As I have stated before, I am looking into doing a similar transplant on the Marlene that I bought for my wife but I don't have any idea what kind of cost I am going to be looking at.  Do you have a rough idea what your cost will be for all of the work that you are doing on your car?  

Yeah, I guess it's a little complicated...I've driven the car for a couple of years and wanted things besides the power taken care of, like foot room and a really efficient cooling system.  The engine fit right into the compartment and the oil pan doesn't sit as low as the V6 did, so I have more ground clearance now.  

I bought a crate (remanufactured) engine and mostly new parts.  The total cost, including labor, will probably be around 5 grand.  You could save a lot by finding a wreck with a good engine and all the peripherals.  I seem to remember that you have a Vette?  I'm hoping to have that kind of performance, or at least that kind of acceleration.  

I am sure that your Marlene will go much quicker with the 302 engine.  It may not accelerate quite as fast as my Z06 Vette since it has 505 HP but the Vette will never do what it is capable of with me in it anyway.  It is good to know that the 302 fit in the Marlene's engine compartment so well; that is encouraging.  Where did you find your remanufactured engine?  Did you buy a turnkey engine setup or did you have to go out and find the other engine parts that you needed to complete the project?  

I forgot to ask if you like having power brakes and steering.  I have heard mixed reviews on whether power steering is good on this light of a car but my wife would like to have it for slow speeds and sharp turns.

When I bought the car for my wife it had good looking wide whitewall Coker tires on it.  Althought they look good (all six of them since the car has the two side tires and wheels on it), they are somewhat skinny and they are biased ply so I am sure that they don't handle as well as radial tires.  I guess it doesn't matter much since neither my wife or I are going to do any road racing with the car; it is just supposed to look good.  

I got the engine from Checker Auto Parts.  They provide a warranty which is comforting.  But I also had to buy a 302 from the wrecking yard for the core and "skins"...the various covers, exhaust manifold, etc.  It was 150.  

I don't have power steering or brakes and it takes a little muscle (thankfully only a little) to steer at low speeds.

Don't know how long the Cokers will last.  They have done all right on mine (have the same tires as you) but I've never had the power to spin them.  I think I will when the car is ready.  TxDon (see above on the thread) bought radials and white wall paint and made his own wide white walls.  They looked pretty good and should be much more affordable.  I may have to try that later.  

Hey Ppistolas:

It has been about a month since your last post and I was checking to see if your car was finished yet and, if so, how you like your new 302 engine in the Marlene?  Did you run into any unexpected problems?  

Yeah i'd like to hear an update as well  

I communicated with him this morning by EMail, he had been off a few weeks abroad and is about to give us the information we are looking for.  He did report a short drive and it was AWESOME.  Wish I were there.  

classic roadster II has sold it is now as far as i knew own by terry at great lake replicas or classics he is one of the dist.  

That is indeed news.  I sure hope that the new owner decides to do something with the Marlene stuff rather than just sit on it.
The 302 Marlene is back together, had a mishap initially when the "squat" from more power wound the parking brake cable around the driveshaft!  He is not convinced that cooling is up to par just yet, but a new tight engine may be the cause of that as well.  

It's nice to know there are other Marlene owners out there.Found this forum thru the Classic Roadsters forum and hope that the new owner does something with the Marlene line and/or parts. Had mine 5 years and it's just about finished. 302,285hp,5speed,variable speed power steering, trunk mount power brakes, vintage air, Roadster-Zenith wire wheels on Coker wide whitewall radials.