Camshaft

[tel76]

Question for Benz Dr, JA17 and anyone else.
The camshaft that i have removed from my 1968 280sl has the part number 180 051 8601 stamped on it and on the rear is 04 it is also worth noting that a date is stamped onto the shaft 2-6- 69 a full year after the vehicle was manufactured .As the shaft requires changing due wear and corrosion i entered the part number on the SLS search function and it informed me that it is fitted to a 250sl, i also ,using the search facility read that a member stated that this combination was not on any documentation.
Do you have any information on the above shaft and what camshaft should i obtain as a replacement.
PS on Don Gallons list of camshafts available there is no mention of this part number.

[Naj ✝︎]

Hi, Eric,

From the EPC, the camshaft 180 051 8601 is indeed for a 250 SL besides a few other engines.

The camshaft on my '68 280 SL engine has a casting # 114 051 0101 on it, but I believe the actual part # for it is 114 051 0201. However, this is no longer listed. I guess you will have to buy a 114 051 0501 which is a US spec camshaft plus a set of matching cam bearings.

naj

[tel76]

Hello Naj,
As SLS has this in there catalogue i will see if they have stock.
Does the EPC say that 180 051 8601 is still available?

[Naj ✝︎]

Hello Naj,
As SLS has this in there catalogue i will see if they have stock.
Does the EPC say that 180 051 8601 is still available?

Classic Centre, Fellbach is showing this camshaft as available @ Euro 440.?? inc German VAT at 19%

naj

[tel76]

Naj,
In a previous post ja17 says that the next to last two numbers in the camshaft part # is the number of the profile ,that being the case and the fact that this vehicle was possibly built very close to the change over from 250sl to 280sl it would seem possible that i have a 86 type camshaft but with an 04 profile.
As such it may not be a good idea to go the 180 051 8601 route.
What would be the timing issues/differences between a 86 cam; and an 04 camshaft?
Is camshaft 114 051 0501 the only option?

[Eminent]

Hello Naj,
As SLS has this in there catalogue i will see if they have stock.
Does the EPC say that 180 051 8601 is still available?

Don't know for EPC but you can check if items are available also here

[ja17]

Hello,

Make sure about the ID nuber on the back end of the camshaft.  I have seen these stamped numbers very difficult to read correctly.


The Number 180 051 8601 is a fairly "hot" cam. It was used in the 250SL prior to any emission influences in the US or abroad.  These cams were also used in the 250SE sedan engines of the era and some other MB models.  These cams were stamped with "86" on the back end.

The "04" camshaft had ten degrees less duration and this happens mostly because the  valves close earlier on the tamer "04" camshaft. I suspect that this was an emission decision.

Here are the specs of your two ( #86 and #04) ..........

Intake valve opens on the 86 at 11* and on the "04" at 11*.

Intake closes on the "86 at 53* and the "04" at 47* 

exhaust opens on the "86" at 47*  and the "04" at 48*

exhaust closes on the "86" at 21* and the "04" at 16*

If you do the math you will see that the "04" cam has about 10 degrees less total time the valves are open (duration).


Mercedes staight six cylinder engine cams of the era

Earliest camshafts of the era were hollow with holes. The valve train was lubricated by the engine pumping oil through the camshaft and squirting out the holes in the camshaft.

Next major change, the camshafts became solid.  An oiler tube was added to squirt oil on the cam lobes, cam bearings and rocker arms.

Next major change, the rubbing surface on the camshaft lobes  and rocker arms became wider.

Last major change, the camshaft main journals became larger diameter.

Minor changes along the way were mainly improvements in the steel and hardening processes.

So be aware of some of the changes when you decide to try a different camshaft.


Hottest cams of the era were #02,#09 #76, and #84 (142 degrees total duration valves open) most of these were early or late W113 camshafts.

Next were #11, #46, #86, (132 degrees total duration valves open)_

Then #01, #05 (130 degrees total duratrion valves open)

Then #04, #08, #14-1, #60, #60, #61, #11, ( 122 degrees total duration valves open)

Lastly #14, #33, #39, #42, #61, #70, #79, #82  (116 degrees or less total duration valve open)

I cannot verify that the "04" camshaft came from the factory in any W113 engines. With the "04" cam, the engine would run decent but may be a bit down on power.

[tel76]

Hello JA17,
I have rechecked the camshaft and the number on the shaft is 180 051 86 01 and on the rear is 04.
If possible i would like to retain the original cam: bearings what shafts: are available

[Dave Gallon]

According to the EPC, a US or international version 129982 engine had the 180 051 86 01 (optional with 180 051 11 35) camshaft installed. According to the Technical Data Book from 1969, the 250SL should have an "86" camshaft. I find that the "04" camshaft was present on US version 280SL for roughly the first two years of production. I don't see anything suggesting the "04" would ever be present in a 250SL. This is even more puzzling because the part number (180 051 86 01) is correct but, as far as I can tell, the camshaft should be stamped "86" for that part number. In any event, 180 051 86 01 appears to be available: MB USA list $560.00, MB USA wholesale $448.00, my price $413.45.