Unleaded or additives

[Mike Heagney]

The engine and injector pump in my 64 230 SL was reconditioned before I bought it.The car was first registered in England,went to the States, where EIS Engines(Oregan)reconditioned the motor in the car (not the original),and it is now in Australia.
I wrote to EIS to find out exactly what work was done butwas unsucessful.
As the motor was done probably around 1995/96, does everyone agree that the head would have been fitted with hardened exhaust valve seats and therefore I can use unleaded fuel without adding Flashlube etc.?
Also, the 127 engine came with a 280 SL rocker cover (I have the correct replacement)and 280 dipstick.
Does the dipstick from a 130 motor read accurately in a 127 oil sump?
Thanks,
Mike.
64 230 in boxes.

[Ben]

I cant answer about the dipstick but I thought the 280SL M130 engine was longer, so I dont see how the rocker cover could fit ??

Also it is reckoned that from the factory the valve seats were harder than whatever would be currently used to replace them so using unleaded was always possible from day one. You may need to retard the timing a touch to avoid pinging, try it first. My '64 showed no signs of valve seat reccesion when I rebuilt the head 2 year ago, and it had run unleaded for 10 years prior to that !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.

[mrfatboy]

Here is a great thread on dipsticks.  There is a picture of them on the bottom reply.

http://pagoda113.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/2076001521/m/454607633/r/454607633#454607633