560SL - Bleeding Hydraulic Lifters / Compensating Elements

This R107 Video: Bleeding Hydraulic Lifters

The manual calls these Compensating Elements and when you need to purchase a new one it is called a Rocker Arm Ball Stud. For clarity in this video I will call them hydraulic lifters.

NOTE: You will have to gently bleed down your lifters, or your valves will be held open on crank up. If you put all the valve spacers back where you removed them, you are ok. If mixed up, this engine requires you to have a measuring tool to have the correct valve shim thickness, very important. If you put everything "head" back where you found it (as opposed to getting valve job), you will be ok. Whatever you do, don't assemble with rockers in place, until the very end. Watch this video for addition instructions. Don't blow up your Mercedes before you start it up!

This video is relevant to all Mercedes-Benz engines that have hydraulic lifters. The lifters in my 1987 560SL are basically the same as the 380SE, 380SEC, 380SEL, 380SL, 380SLC, 420SEL, 450SE, 450SEL, 450SL, 450SLC, 500SEC, 500SEL, 560SEC, and the 560SL. This is the part number 1160500480 which is called a Mercedes-Benz Rocker Arm Ball Stud.

I am documenting every part of this vehicle as I put it back together. The idea is to end up with the best documented 560SL rebuilds on the Internet.

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Links to the manual and links to all tools used in this video are below.

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My videos are not sponsored by anyone. The products and tools I use are products and tools I have purchased with my own money. I include links below to any special tools or products used in this video.

You will need a 24mm socket to remove and install the hydraulic lifters. The one I used is the NEIKO 02474A 1/2" Impact Socket Set, 15 Piece Metric Socket Set 10-24 mm, Deep Sockets, 6 Point:

https://amzn.to/3Agk75w

Every garage needs a good vice. I finally found a good vice at a very good price. So far I love this vice. It's the BestEquip 4" Heavy Duty Bench Vise with a Double Swivel Rotating Vise Head and the Body Rotates 360° as well:

https://amzn.to/3TqXPFD

To torque the hydraulic lifters down I used the GEARWRENCH 3/8" Flex Head Electronic Torque Wrench with Angle. It works great:

https://amzn.to/3zUjZad

This video is very detailed and is intended for the absolute beginner (ME). This is how I did things. If you see a problem, let me and the world know by leaving a comment.

Disclosure: I have never pulled an engine before and I have never rebuilt one either. This video series is documenting an inexperienced old guy tore apart his 1987 560SL.

Here is a link to the on-line manual that I am somewhat following:

https://www.startekinfo.com/service/d...

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