Hi all,

I am planning to replace my '85 240 DL's radiator, timing belt and water pump in the coming weeks. The radiator is leaking and the timing belt needs to be changed per the recommended 50k miles.

Is there any other preventative maintence I should look into doing while doing these jobs?

 

Anytime I replace the timing belt I consider replacing the front seal along with the camshaft and halfshaft seal unless I know they have been recently replaced. Also consider the timing belt tensioner if you don't know how old it is either. Same goes for the water pump.

 

I'd also inspect all hoses and the overflow reservoir as they can get old and brittle/crack.

 

Thanks for the thoughts y'all.

I live in southern Louisiana where the summers get extremely hot and humid, would it be advisable to replace the thermostat with a 82C one? I assume a 92C is currently in my car, as it was purchased in Ohio in 1985.

 

Yeah - that might be a good idea. I believe the southern cars came with a lower temp thermostat. Either an 82 or 87 degree C.

 

How necessary is using a torque wrench on the crankshaft bolt? IPD says it's supposed to 122ft/lbs, I've seen other videos say 144ft/lbs, but is it advisable to use a rachet and tighten it without a precise torque measurement?

 

I've done it without a torque wrench many times, just tighten the hell out of it without going nuts. That said, you should have a good feel for tightening bolts.

 

One last question.

Should I flush the engine with distilled water (after draining old collant and putting in new radiator) before filling with new coolant? I read some comments that indicated this was a helpful procedure.

 

I'd only do the flush if the old coolant looks nasty.

 

A lot of the old coolant stays in the system unless you drain the block and the heater. It may be a good idea to put fresh water, run the car with heater on til hot, drain it, once or twice before the final fill. The block drain in on the passenger side below the exhaust manifold toward the rear...

 

Does the engine drain **** also drain the heater?

Also, what is the best recommended coolant for these old cars in terms of longevity and preventing corrosion? Like the Zerex G48?

 

Good question. Not completely, that's why a flush may be good.
Zerex is fine...