StarTech 2011

Article by Keith Powers.  Photographs by Paul Gruener
 
Picture: Gernold Nissius gives Star Tech 2011 attendees a guided tour of a W113 230SL in the shops of Black Forest in Milwaukee, Wi.

Harking back to the early days of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America when the Club was established so that members could share technical information and experience with one another, StarTech – now held every two years, alternating with StarFest® – was established as a convocation of technically savvy owners who were willing to share their hard-won experience with newer participants in the hobby.
In 2011, with an active Classic Center, knowledgeable dealers, and a strong industry of independent shops, the focus of StarTech is somewhat different, but the goal is the same: the sharing of knowledge about how our cars are supposed to work, and how to keep them that way.
Hosted in the spotless shops of Black Forest LLC just outside Milwaukee, including delightful German- and Mexican-themed meals served right in the workshops, and seminars held at the nearby Radisson Hotel, StarTech 2011 brought together nearly 200 members of MBCA eager to share the knowledge of several of the pre-eminent technical specialists from around the country. In an opinion shared by everyone, one participant said simply, “It was fun and worth the trip.”
Following is a summary of presenters and their topics, as well as a tech tip from each of the presentations.
 
Karl Middelhauve – M-B Grand 600 Restoration, Wausau, Wisconsin
Karl Middelhauve is America’s best-known expert on the Mercedes-Benz Grand 600 (W100) series. Working out of his “hobby shop” in north-central Wisconsin, he maintains a large private collection of M-100-powered automobiles. In addition to offering repair and restoration services for the W100, Karl has a penchant for creating one-of-a-kind vehicles based on his favorite Mercedes-Benz platform.
For StarTech, Karl brought three of his own vehicles: a W100-based “El Benzo” pickup, a newly completed Grand Mercedes SL600 Silver Arrow, and a W113 280SL fitted with a modern electronic fuel-management system. He showed slides of his work, told of his experiences, and allowed attendees to play with the 3,200 psi hydraulically powered windows of the M100. No fingers were lost in this demonstration.
Tech tip: If you can dream it, you can build it – or find someone who can.
 
Ed Casar – Done Rite Automotive Performance, Mosinee, Wisconsin
 
Ed Casar operates Done Rite Automotive Performance in north-central Wisconsin, not far from Karl Middelhauve’s home and workshop. He has worked with Karl on custom electronic fuel injection, including the design, installation, and tuning of the EFI system in Karl’s red 280SL, which served as the topic for his presentation.
Tech tip: Although perhaps not for the purist, a custom-designed EFI system can improve a classic engine’s efficiency and power by 25 percent, reduce tailpipe emissions, and increase reliability
 
David Latham – Bud’s Benz, Douglasville, Georgia
As the owner of Bud’s Benz, a well-known repair/restoration shop and parts supplier, David Latham has overseen restoration work on countless W121, W113, and R107 SLs. His Saturday-morning presentation on “The Restoration Process” included a slide show and anecdotes from his experience in the field.
Tech tip: When you work on one area of the car, look around and see what else you can do at the same time, such as cleaning the engine compartment when you’re replacing the head gasket, to take advantage of required assembly and disassembly.
 
Albrecht Stachel and Nathan Phoenix
Brooklyn Motoren Werke, Brooklyn, Wisconsin
Albrecht Stachel, owner of Brooklyn Motoren Werke, is a leading expert on the 300 “Adenauer” series, the flagship Mercedes-Benz from 1951-1962. On Saturday morning, Albrecht and his assistant Nathan Phoenix presented the 123 Ignition electronic distributor. Originally envisioned to bring classic cars into compliance with tightening European emissions standards, 123 Ignition is a microprocessor-driven ignition control system housed inside what appears at first glance to be a conventional ignition distributor. The 123 Ignition combines precise, cylinder-by-cylinder power mapping, digitally stored advance curves, and an optional digital vacuum advance in a self-contained design that minimizes moving parts and is virtually maintenance-free.
In Albrecht’s Saturday afternoon topic, “Rust and Rot,” he presented a slide show illustrating the extensive sheet-metal and structural repairs required when restoring a badly rusted vehicle.
Tech tip: 123 Ignition’s spark balancing program equalizes power strokes among cylinders, resulting in a very smooth-running engine with cleaner tailpipe emissions, improved fuel economy, and enhanced full-range power response.
 
Gernold Nisius – SL-Tech, Arundel, Maine
German Master Mechanic Gernold Nisius is recognized as one of the foremost experts on the W113 “Pagoda” range of SLs. StarTech attendees gathered around a 1970 280SL for his Saturday-afternoon presentation in Black Forest’s classic workshop, in which he gave an overview of the W113 chassis and discussed maintenance, repair, and restoration issues. Moving on to the upholstery and trim room, Gernold focused attention on a W113 soft-top frame, showing where the frames tend to wear out or break and the methods used to repair them.
Tech tip: Did you know that when properly fitted, the engine hood on a W113 can be raised to a completely vertical position without contacting any other part of the vehicle?
 
John Olson – The SL Market Letter,
Minneapolis, Minnesota
John Olson has been driving, collecting, and racing Mercedes-Benz vehicles for decades. As publisher of The SL Market Letter, he maintains a comprehensive database of Mercedes-Benz resale values, identifying and analyzing trends in the collector market.
At StarTech 2011, John presented “Decades of Mercedes-Benz Features ... All in One Car.” In recent years, he has experimented with transplanting modern technology into classic vehicles. His latest project, nearly complete, involves swapping a C36AMG driveline and suspension into a W112 300SE coupe. His slide show documented its creation.
Tech tip: Older Mercedes-Benz cars, with their classic lines and timeless appeal, can still benefit from newer Mercedes-Benz technology, producing unique cars to suit the preferences of individual owners.
 
George Murphy – MBCA Technical Director, Performance Analysis Co.,
Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Tom Hanson – Parts Manager, Mercedes-Benz Classic Center USA, Irvine, California
George Murphy needs little introduction to MBCA members. Serving as the Club’s technical director since 1999, George is a frequent contributor to The Star magazine and draws enthusiastic crowds wherever he appears. Tom Hanson, who has years of experience with Mercedes-Benz, is the go-to guy for classic parts as parts manager at the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center USA.
Murphy and Hanson joined to give a presentation on “Internet Resources for the Mercedes-Benz Enthusiast.” Using his laptop computer projected onto a screen for all to see, George demonstrated how to access and use the Mercedes-Benz Electronic Parts Catalog (EPC) and Workshop Information System (WIS), both of which are available on a subscription basis through the Mercedes-Benz Star TekInfo web portal. Following the computer demonstration, George and Tom held a question-and-answer session.
Tech tip: Don’t flounder around when repairing an older or classic car; start with the factory parts catalog and workshop system, then ask the experts.
 
Pierre Hedary – Pierre Hedary Classic Services, Titusville, Florida
Pierre Hedary’s repair shop is located in Titusville, Florida, where he specializes in pre-1993 Mercedes-Benz vehicles. He is a regular contributor to The Star magazine with his “Old School” technical column.
Pierre led a hands-on session covering Bosch D-Jetronic and KE-Jetronic (CIS-E) fuel-injection systems. Beginning with a W108 280SE 4.5, he described the design and operation of the D-Jetronic system, explaining in detail and demonstrating how the sensors, switches, trigger points, ECU, and injectors work together to deliver the right amount of fuel to the engine.
Moving on to KE-Jetronic, Pierre discussed how the system works and the factors that influence its operation. He drew diagrams of the fuel distributor and electro-hydraulic actuator, showing how the EHA regulates the fuel-pressure differential inside the fuel distributor, which in turn determines the amount of fuel supplied to the injectors. Using an on-off ratio tester, we checked and adjusted the mixture on a late ’80s W126 420SEL.
Tech tip: Check the fuel-pump delivery volume on vehicles with D-Jetronic. It should be able to provide at least one liter of fuel in 30 seconds.
 
Pictures:
Gernold Nisius takes an attentive crowd on a tour of the W113 280SL body, chassis, and mechanical components.
Pierre Hedary
Albrecht Stachel
John Olson
Nathan Phoenix
David Latham
Technical panelists Nathan Murphy, John Olson, Gernold Nisius, Pierre Hedary, Albrecht stachel, Gregory Merrick, and Tom Hanson (George Murphy not shown).
 
Caption: The meals, served by the caterer and Black Forest staff in their spotless shops, were an additional opportunity to share technical experience.