Distribution, I need help

[pagoda280madrid]

hi, I need help.
I am the owner since 2009 of a Mercedes 280SL year 69.
Five years ago the cylinder head was rectified and completely revised by putting new valve seals.
The problem is that since then it consumes antifreeze and it is clearly passing to the combustion chamber, steam coming out of the exhaust pipe in retentions.
The thing is that I have decided to raise the cylinder head again and put a new gasket but the mechanic asks me to provide him with the timing timing and I am lost because I don't know where I can get it, that's why I resort to this forum in case someone can find it for me. provide.
greeting

[teahead]

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=29247.0

[pagoda280madrid]

I also want to comment in case someone can clarify for me that SE/A is indicated in the head. Does this mean that it corresponds to a w108 and not to an SL?
I have this question because I don't understand after changing the original SL gasket I passed the coolant to the combustion chamber.

[Cees Klumper]

I believe SE/A is a normal head designation and does not mean your head was swapped to a non-SL one.

I think your mechanic may be asking about the timing of the camshaft, vis-a-vis the craknshaft. There must be markings on the camshaft wheel and crank etc - but the mechanic can also just make some temporary marks before he removes the timing chain. I don't know off the top of my head what/where the timing marks are, but the various shop manuals (Haynes, Mercedes, Chilton's etc) have those instructions. Maybe someone here who knows better, or can provide a link to a forum thread, about the engine timing.

[Benz Dr.]

The head gaskets are very different between the 280 engine and a 280SE/A.  I received the wrong head gasket on a 280 engine one time and it quickly burned through the gasket and filled the engine with water in the oil.
When you remove your cylinder head check the gasket against the head and block to see if all of the coolant passages line up. You could have the wrong head gasket, or wrong head for your block.

[pagoda280madrid]

Thank you all very much for the rapid and important contributions, since we have made some progress, but a diagram is very necessary where we can see the marks to leave the timing again at its point, both for the injector pump and crankshaft pulley, camshaft, etc. ..
greeting,

[MikeSimon]

The head gaskets are very different between the 280 engine and a 280SE/A.  I received the wrong head gasket on a 280 engine one time and it quickly burned through the gasket and filled the engine with water in the oil.
When you remove your cylinder head check the gasket against the head and block to see if all of the coolant passages line up. You could have the wrong head gasket, or wrong head for your block.

The head with the embossed 280SE/A mark is a proper SL head. So is the head with just 280. They are two different heads, however and require two different head gaskets. More details are here on the forum. Use the search feature. In short, the SE/A head requires an "oval" shape combustion chamber head gasket while the "280" head goes with the earlier "square" style. It depends on what engine you have. there is a cut-off by serial number

[Leester]

Not to disparage anyone but if your mechanic doesn't know where to go to get the timing information which is readily available from any number of shop manuals, maybe he is not the right mechanic. Does your mechanic know or have access to all the various torques settings for head bolts and others? 

I understand that some on the forum may live in remote places where mechanics are in short supply and maybe your options are limited. If you think your mechanic is the right one, suggest you get a used MB book or Haynes on line. A Haynes manual can be had for quite cheap. Your mechanic is going to need a lot more technical information than just the timing settings to properly do this job.   

[Pinder]

the Haynes Manual has all the information you would need. Its what I used for engine rebuild. check online.   Mercedes 230,250,280 1968 to 1972.  (Sedan, Coupe,Roadster)

[rwmastel]

Not to disparage anyone but if your mechanic doesn't know where to go to get the timing information which is readily available from any number of shop manuals, maybe he is not the right mechanic. I understand that some on the forum may live in remote places where mechanics are in short supply and maybe your options are limited.

I was thinking the same about the current mechanic.  I would think Madrid would be large enough (6.5m people?) that a mechanic experienced in 1960's Mercedes cars could be found. Maybe they are there, but are busy and have a long wait time?

[BobH]

Alpinaltd is in Spain, perhaps he could recommend Pagoda experts in Spain, i'm sure he wouldn't mind if you sent him a message

[pagoda280madrid]

Thanks, I have already downloaded the Haynes manual and it seems that all the necessary information comes there.
And yes, in Madrid there are many workshops and specialized in historic cars but it is not so easy to find a mechanic to solve, where I have it, they repaired a major fault in a w107 300sl year 87 and the result was extraordinary, that's why I have trusted them.
Also thanks to this forum that helps us continue with these devices that we take care of so much!!.
greeting,

[pagoda280madrid]

I do not know this workshop in Madrid, here the best known and recognized in mechanics, restoration and sales of classic Mercedes is La Cochera, in fact that is where I bought this 280SL which by the way was manufactured in October 1969 and spent its life in Illinois until it traveled back to Europe in 2008. Here the exterior was changed to European aesthetics and in February 2009 he is at home with lots of pampering.
If I remember correctly it is original color 906 and soft top and nautical blue interior.

[JamesL]

like this, from Oct 69.
(VIN 13457)

[pagoda280madrid]

Mine is darker, it may be 903.
Soft top the same.
I can't send a photo

[pagoda280madrid]

This is the color, I think you call it medium blue