Aluminum distributor?

[dseretakis]

Which are the aluminum distributors? My 71 280SL has the 062 and it looks to be aluminum but a magnet sticks to it pretty well. It is bare metal, no rust so I'm confused. I need to order condenser and points so I need to know.
Thanks.

[280SE Guy]

My 71 280SE has the 062 distributor and it is aluminum. A magnet does not stick to the body of the distributor are you sure your not attaching your magnet to the vacuum diaphragm unit?

You can get Bosch replacement points part number 1237013282-850 from various suppliers of Bosch parts. Why do you think you need to replace the condenser?

Regards,

280SE Guy

[dseretakis]

I attached the magnet to the body. It was a pretty strong magnet. I'm thinking that it perhaps was sticking to the internals of the dizzy. 

I though that condensers were replaced along with points:)

[280SE Guy]

The magnet I used was one of those pencil type extendable magnets one would use to pick up small metal objects you might drop into a space where you could not get your hand in to pick it up.

I always thought that the condenser should be replaced when doing a tune up also but back in 1974 while visiting the Mercedes dealer to pick up the tune up items (points, plugs, cap, rotor, etc.) the "old" parts guy said that I didn't need the condenser and wouldn't sell me one. I never asked him why I didn't need the condenser, I should have. Fast forward to about 4 years ago I decided to order a new condenser as I still had the original condenser on the car. I ordered one from my local Mercedes parts guy, the cost was over $60.00 and the "green" wire had changed to a grey wire. I didn't like the "non" original color and subsequently obtained a green wire NOS condenser and changed it out.

I still have the original condenser if the replacement goes bad.



Regards,

280SE Guy

[garymand]

Condensers don't usually go bad, when they do they short.  A short doesn't mean open, it means the points are closed until u change the condenser = motor won't run. 

Magnets won't stick to alu.  the 280 guy is showing a no-fair picture of his SE hand brake, radiator and new electronic ignition module with two new relays that you won't see on your SL.  Well, you'll see the radiator (;>)  He's pointing out the green wire that is standard on the alu distributors.  I don't think the alu distys have a screw terminal for the coil lead.  I have an SE motor/disty, it is definately silver alu color, but my SE is a 61 with a green lead.  It is not painted black and the number is stamped on the housing near the condenser/capacitor. You will have a very hard time seeing it wiothout pulling the unit.  I'll have to check at home tonight if a magnet will stick, but that would be a very big surprise.  You got me with teh clor and the magnet.  There is a lot of steel inside, in places where the magnet might find it, but you should be able to diferentiatee a magnet to alu and a magnet to steel.

[280SE Guy]

280 guy is showing a no-fair picture of his SE hand brake, radiator and new electronic ignition module with two new relays that you won't see on your SL.

garymand,

I'm not sure what you meant by a "no-fair picture", the parts in my photo are original except for the replacement condenser. If the original poster in fact has a 1971 280SL with the transistorized ignition he should also have the components shown in my picture but in a different location on his SL.

Regards,

280SE Guy

[garymand]

Your magnet is too strong.  Its pulling on the steel inside the distributor.  For proof, pull the cap and put the magnet close to the rim. 

SE Guy, just poking a little fun.   Its a great bright picture, impressively clean area.  I was enjoying looking at it, then I realized I was looking at something familiar but not what I expected: those bright shiny aluminum things and that lever thing on the right.  Then it hit me: Where's the battery, where's the disty?, that stuff isn't there on an SL.  No insult, just confused at the focus of the picture and how my eyes and brain enjoyed the puzzle.  I think you were pointing out the 'green' lead that is probably standard on ALU disties.  I have to guess at it being standard on all ALU disties.  (Its standard on my 061 from a 70 280 SEL motor.)

Its no fair because most of the beautiful things in that picture are not there in an SL.  And, Other stuff is there.  And there's no disty, just all this other great looking shiny clean stuff.  Puzzling, There is no battery, no disty, and that stick on the right: the handbrake lever  .   If you are trying to buy points for an SL and you don't have much experience under these hoods, you might be wondering why your car doesn't look like that.  (Asside from being much dirtier  .)

Is the distributor alu or not?  I checked my ALU 061 last night with a strong magnet.  Surprise  ! The magnet clamps strongly to the ALU disty .  But how can that be?   

Its the internal steel parts from the shaft all the way up to the breaker plate.  If you are not suspicious at the appearance and feel of the metal you just might think the magnet is attracted to the surface metal not the internal ferrus metal parts many milimeters beneath the ALU surface.  You have to pull the cap and check near the rim before a strong magnet lets you know its non-ferrus.