George,

 Thank you for the very helpful information.  My 11 year old son and I am starting a restoration project on a 1960 220Sb.  Before we attempt to start the car, what other items should we address?  I have been told to remove the spark plugs and drop oil inside.  Is this correct? Is there something else I should spray in?  Also should we change the oil and cooling fluid?  Any suggestions and helpful hinds would be appreciated.  We do not want to cause more problems by forgetting to check something before we attempt to start the car.

 Thanks

 Tom

Information very helpful. 

thanks so much.

Fred

Tom,
Good luck with the project! I started off around 10 years old when my father and I bought a 1980 450SL. We were in the market ironically for an early 60's finback but long story short ended up with the SL. I look back to some great times with my father in the garage. 

I recently purchased an 97 E320.

I was told by an older Mercedes mechanic that I would have a gas tank drain plug. I looked under the car and thought I saw it. I dumped 2.5 gallons of diesel into the tank. When  I went to drain , it turns out what I saw was not a tank drain but may be a condensate drain. 

I purchased  the Peter Russek MB E Class pocket mechanic book. To my surprise it is so general that fuel tank and pump removal is not even covered.

Your advice to drain my tank ,check for debris ,remove and or check the fuel pump would be appreciated. Tank removal will mean breaking up a lot of undercoating which I would rather not break up.

The car has not been started during my ownership and was sold to me as non starting.

In the same general vein can you recommend an acceptable manual on this vehicle?
                                                                                                   Raymond