Capacitor Next to Coil

[Harry]

Hello all,

I am installing a 123 Distributor on my 1966 230SL and I had a question about what appears to be a large capacitor mounted on the drivers side frame rail (see in photo depicted between the coil and battery).  It is grounded from the bottom with a heavy braided cable to the engine block at the power steering reservoir mounting bolt, and is connected by a wire on the top to the positive terminal of the coil.  The Tech Manual shows a capacitor from the coil to ground and I expect that is the capacitor that I'm describing.

I also expect that this capacitor needs to remain in this position even with the 123.  Is that correct?

(I am changing the coil to one with a higher resistance in accordance with the 123 guidance from 123.)

Thanks very much,
Harry

[BobH]

Hello Harry, this is for radio noise suppression, may no longer be required, but won't do any harm to reconnect it

[Harry]

Thanks Bob.  I’ll definitely leave it connected.

[Paul99]

also, with a 123 you don't need the ballast resister.

[Harry]

Yep - thanks Paul!