Author Topic: Spark Plug Wires/Connectors  (Read 5605 times)

MikeSimon

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, North Royalton
  • Posts: 2477
Spark Plug Wires/Connectors
« on: April 19, 2022, 15:17:21 »
The distributor on my 280SL has a mix of spark plug connectors. I need 3 of the original 90° plugs to replace 3 vertical ones a PO has installed. I take complete wires or plugs only.
It doesn't matter which wires, I will put the plugs on my wires.
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

m300cab

  • Associate Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • USA, Pennington New Jersey
  • Posts: 375
Re: Spark Plug Wires/Connectors
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2022, 16:53:26 »
i have a set I can sell you
Michael Parlato

MikeSimon

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, North Royalton
  • Posts: 2477
Re: Spark Plug Wires/Connectors
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2022, 16:58:35 »
Perfect! pm sent!
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

Pawel66

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Poland, Mazowieckie, Konstancin-Jeziorna
  • Posts: 5494
Re: Spark Plug Wires/Connectors
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2022, 17:33:58 »
Sorry to jump in: are the 90deg connectors correct or the straight ones?

I do not recall who exactly, but I remember statements about the straight ones being correct and I remember some degree of consent on that...

I did some digging after writing this (yes, my behaviour was unacceptably impulsive). There were both types used, as it looks here: https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=12919.msg87587#msg87587
« Last Edit: April 19, 2022, 18:05:52 by Pawel66 »
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

TJMart

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • USA, NC, Matthews
  • Posts: 371
Re: Spark Plug Wires/Connectors
« Reply #4 on: April 19, 2022, 18:21:40 »
Just went through the whole process of replacing my spark plug wires that were sold to me years ago by MB but were not correct. Both the ones sold by K & K and Authentic Classics now have 90 degree boots coming off the distributor. Because mine is a late model 280SL with the distributor plastic dust cover, I needed the straight boots for a proper fit. I replaced the new wires with straight boots. What a difference with the correct wires.
Tony
1970 280SL, 4 Speed

ja17

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Blacklick
  • Posts: 7414
Re: Spark Plug Wires/Connectors
« Reply #5 on: April 20, 2022, 02:39:38 »
The distributor connectors for your 280SL engine should be right angle! At the spark plug connection, they should be straight.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

Benz Dr.

  • Associate Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Canada, ON, Port Lambton
  • Posts: 7220
  • Benz Dr.
Re: Spark Plug Wires/Connectors
« Reply #6 on: April 20, 2022, 05:17:05 »
The distributor connectors for your 280SL engine should be right angle! At the spark plug connection, they should be straight.

That might be true but those 90 degree connectors have 1K resistors in them. I prefer the straight plug in wires instead.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

MikeSimon

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, North Royalton
  • Posts: 2477
Re: Spark Plug Wires/Connectors
« Reply #7 on: April 20, 2022, 12:26:16 »
So, what's going on in your ignition system if you have 3 straight and 3 90° plugs? I drove the car like this for years and never recognized an issue?
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

Benz Dr.

  • Associate Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Canada, ON, Port Lambton
  • Posts: 7220
  • Benz Dr.
Re: Spark Plug Wires/Connectors
« Reply #8 on: April 20, 2022, 13:06:51 »
Most 90 degree spark plug connectors are 5K ohms and resistance is not what you want or need on a points - coil system. Your mileage may differ.......
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

MikeSimon

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, North Royalton
  • Posts: 2477
Re: Spark Plug Wires/Connectors
« Reply #9 on: April 20, 2022, 16:17:06 »
Even if the car came like this from the factory?
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

Benz Dr.

  • Associate Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Canada, ON, Port Lambton
  • Posts: 7220
  • Benz Dr.
Re: Spark Plug Wires/Connectors
« Reply #10 on: April 20, 2022, 18:19:47 »
Even if the car came like this from the factory?

If you wanted a perfect original car then you should make it that way. If you have a cover for your distributor cap then it would not matter so much.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

Shvegel

  • Inactive
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Cleveland Heights
  • Posts: 2978
Re: Spark Plug Wires/Connectors
« Reply #11 on: October 08, 2022, 10:40:37 »
Mike,  I messed around a bunch with wire ends until I found the proper Veso 1K ends for my US spec (Transistorized Ignition).  I may have a bag of Bosch and Beru ends in a drawer in my garage.  I'll look.