Pertronix '71 280SL

[Coochas]

Hi All,
I am getting tired of fiddling with my points and want to eliminate them!
I have read MANY threads here and elsewhere about things like Pertronix.
Where I get confused is anything that goes beyond a plug and play of the pertronix unit.  When I start hearing things like ballasts I get nervous.
My car is a 6/70 build and has the 062 distributor.
Can I simply buy the Pertronix 1863 and install it or is there a lot more to it in my case?

On a related note, i bought replacement distributor caps and rotor for my 062 distributor which match the parts numbers in the car and they simply do not fit!   I think the rotor is just slightly larger.  Has anyone seen this before???

[StevenF]

Please look into the 123 ignition.  I am about to get this unit installed.  Please look up the 123 here on our site.  I have read only good things..

http://www.123ignition.nl/products.phtml

[mdsalemi]

The Pertronix is a very easy install. I would suggest you get their recommended coil as well;  I went with the Flamethrower II model in classic black.

 You need not worry about ballast resistors; they are not required.  You do not need to remove what you might have, however— I left my old ballast resistor in place and actually use one side of it as a tie point!  The other side is not connected to anything.  It took about 45 minutes to install the entire unit, another half hour or so to adjust the timing. That was in the summer of 2011 and I have not touched anything since because it has been absolutely flawless. When warm I have a perfectly smooth idle at about 800 RPM, and smooth acceleration.

If you have any issues with your distributor, however, such as worn bearings or something similar, no add-on system will solve your problems.  You will either need to get your distributor repaired, or replace everything with the 123.

[Coochas]

Thanks for the input! 
Of course now I've managed to get my points perfect again but I think they gotta go!

[Benz Dr.]

If you have the USA style late ignition system all of that stuff has to work together to make your engine run properly. It's not just a matter of changing a couple of parts and then you suddenly have a perfect car. If you change one element of the system you are sometimes obliged to change other pieces as well. 

[Mullera]

I have been lurking and reading for years now. Have also read all that I can find on installing the Pertronix on my 1970 280 sl.   Using 1864 LA   No white dot on anything
But I am totally stymied and any help would be very appreciated.
Here is where I am ..  have removed the green wire from distributor/ condenser completely from module under the battery as per a previous post.
From white ceramic resistor , have removed wire (power ?) wire from bottom of resistor with top wire
That goes to coil to bypass resistor as per a previous post. Wire still connected to coil + .  Connected red wire from Pertronix unit to same + of coil. 
Anticipated a fine running machine.
   Engine would turn over but not start. Darn .
Checked voltage , only had 1.6 volts at the union of the two wires , top of block.   What happened. ?
Read another line in instructions to do a quick voltage check.   So hooked up red wire direct to battery .
Still no start.  12.5 volts from battery.
I might have two problems
1.with points working , I had enough power when the row wires were connected on each side of the resistor.
Now, when wires are joined at the top, I have none only 1.5 volts ??
And
2. With red hooked direct to battery and still no start, maybe I also have a faulty ignitor.
Heard so much good about the Pertronix and sounded reasonably simple to install.
Think I’m going back to points!
Where might I have gone wrong here ?
Thanks
Allan

[Nicolas Aristodemou]

Allan go for the programmable 123 unit. You will not regret it. See my relevant post

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=32631.0

[Mullera]

Re Pertronix.  Have my problem solved
The shop I ordered from originally apparently did not have a list for 1970 so they used what they could find which was for a 1969.  And I received the 1864la unit and tried to make it work.
It did not.  Went back and checked everything.   Mid 1969 Mercedes changed to the 062 distributor.
Ordered by distributor number . Correct part was 91863.  Went in fine and works fine . Gained 300 rpm on the idle so back to work !
Thanks for your inputs
Allan

[Desertpagoda]

For whats its worth, points can work beautifully, if they dont in your case, determine and correct the cause, ie condenser either too large or too small effectively or coil/ballast issues