Spark plug cables

[knirk]

I would like to replace the plug cables. Do they only come as a complete unit, or is it possible to change only the cables. I looked at the plug cap and could not figure out how it is connected.

Download Attachment: Plug cable.JPG
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Per G. Birkeland
69 280 sl aut 834
Norway

[mdsalemi]

Per,

I am looking for Beru's and when I find them will let you know.

I think you can remove your wire by pulling back the rubber "boot" and then unscrewing the connector from the wire.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL



Mike Salemi

[Naj ✝︎]

The good Doctor stocks Beru HT leads.
naj

65 230SL
68 280SL

[mdsalemi]

Excuse me, but who is the good Doctor?

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL

quote:Originally posted by naj

The good Doctor stocks Beru HT leads.
naj

65 230SL
68 280SL

Mike Salemi

[ja17]

Hello,
The original wire sets on these cars used black wires an had ends which could be removed and replaced. The original spark plug wires were stranded solid copper and failed only when  the insulation deteriorated or the resistor ends went bad.
These original sets were easily repaired. Bulk spark plug wire could be ordered by the meter and the ends simply could be screwed on preserving the original look of the ignition system. The resistor ends could be ordered and replaced if they failed. I know of many over 100,000 mile cars with the original wires still going strong.
I start every tune-up by measuring the resistance of each original spark plug wire. If the original plug wires sets are still on the car I check them and replace the resistor ends or cables as needed. Once the original sets are gone the engine bay will never look the same. Too often replacement sets are different colors and configurations. Generic sets may  not have the correct cable lengths or correct ends. We probably can post some pictures of some original sets in the next few days. You can also see glimpses of originals in BBB photos.





Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[knirk]

Hi Joe,
When you check the cables do you just measure at the ends - and should it be max 1000 Ohm?

Per G. Birkeland
69 280 sl aut 834
Norway

[Naj ✝︎]

Yes, Per
1000 ohm is the resistance of wire with resistor. Without resistor it should be zero.
I recently changed wires on my 230sl. The original wires are all fine. Its just a couple of resistors that had more than 10k ohm resistance.
Joe is also right about the lengths. New ones were a bit short for the original tube system that the early 230s had. On later cars, the leads are of course exposed and slightly shorter.
naj

65 230SL
68 280SL

[ja17]

Hello knirk,
If you have the original wire sets, the early pre-transistorized use a 1,000 ohm resistor at the spark plug end and the later transistorized version use a 5,000 ohm resistor. These wire sets have resistors at the distributor end also. The easiest way to check is to meter each wire and check it against the others, any one which is significantly lower than the others should be checked further to see which end is bad. I like to remove the distributor cap with spark plug wires and check the entire run fropm inside the distributor cap and through the spark plug connector one at a time. Mark the spark plug ends if you are unsure on how to re-install the wires at the spark plugs.

Radio shack, Walmart or Harbor Freight have ohm meters for less than $10.00. These are handy for checking plug wires, bulb sockets, static setting ignition points and checking wiring problems.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[knirk]

Thanks guys,

I found out that my cable ends were all Beru's in the distr. cap, and a mix of Beru and Bosch at the spark plugs.

Mike,
The cables are screwed into the ends. I bought 5 meters of copper core cable and changed them all in just 30 minutes.

By the way: I hear my girls all the time saying "dad, I really need those Levi's jeans, or Gucci sunglasses". I tell them not to develop expensive shopping habits when other makes are just as good. And here I am - with my cheap sl habits; "I really need those Beru spark plug ends, and please buy me some Gemi or Norma hose clamps, and I want a Nardi steering wheel for christmas".

I am glad my wife has no clue how much I am willing to spend on my Pagoda.


Per G. Birkeland
69 280 sl aut 834
Norway

[mulrik]

Does anybody know what the right spark plug connector type for an early 250 is. I know it is the 1000 ohm, but was it the brown/red bakelite or a metal one. And please does anyone have six of whatever the original is for sale???
Best,
Ulrik


'67 250 SL Papyrus White 113043-10-000023

[RBurg]

Per
Just look at your pride and joy as a "Girl Friend" and you will be more willing to spend the $ on Her.
By the way does "she" have a name?

Ron - Minnesota
71 280SL Tobacco "O GIGI"
97 E420 Silver Mist

[JPMOSE]

ATTENTION JOE ALEXANDER!!!  Hi Joe...do you think you could post some photos of the original spark plug wires?   I am most interested in the connectors on each end.  

The 230SL Parts Manual on the MB CD shows right angle connectors on the distributor, while the later models have straight connectors.  

I have also noticed the wires on the 230SL are routed behind some shield while the later models have wires fastened on the small black clips.  

Finally, I notice in the following engine photo from a 280SL the the wires are fed through a black plastic tube:

http://www.ritzsite.demon.nl/280SL/MB280SL.htm

Any source for the black tube?

Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1987 560SL

[rwmastel]

J.P.,

I know you asked for Joe, and he'll probably be much more brief with his info, but I thought you might enjoy reading some spark plug wire information.

http://www.sl113.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Electrical.SparkPlugWires
http://index.php?topic=3276


Rodd
Pagoda Technical Manual
please contibute: http://www.sl113.org/wiki/pmwiki.php
1966 230SL
2006 C230 Sport Sedan

[hauser]

Here's a former entry that might help.   http://index.php?topic=7378

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

[JPMOSE]

Thanks guys...I have been spending a lot of fun time studying everything under the hood and how it originally was.  Mine was a pretty good example but some of the clamps, ignition wires and hoses were changed.  Plus, the decals are long gone.  I am not out for a new looking engine compartment, but one that is very tidy and correct.  

Most importantly...I am doing it for ME not a judge!!!

Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1987 560SL

[Bob G ✝︎]

I know this is an old forum post. I puchased a spare set of factory wires with the proper ends  from  Mr. Frank Van Dijk classic Merccedes-Benz SL parts. Frank is a swell person and also a friend of Cees. I beleive they are listed as one of our vendors.  these wires are solid core cooper. Coil wire is extra.

Bob Geco

[ja17]

Hello JP,

Sorry for being abscent, I have trouble keeping track of all these theads sometime.

I am not sure when everything changed, however the metal shielded 5K ohm resistor wire ends were used on the factory cars with the factory electronic ignitions which delivered a higher voltage at the spark plugs.

Your set should be the 1K ohm resistor ends which are bakelite. You can get some glimpses of some of these original sets in the BBB and other photos.

As far as wire routing some engines had it below the injector lines and some had it above. There seems to be conflicting information on this fact with photos available showing it both ways. Look in the BBB you will probably see both. One fact is for certain, if the engine came with the plastic moisture cover over the distributor, the wires had to be routed below the injector lines.

The 250 and 280 injected engines did have a plastic sleeve around the spark plug wires where they passed over/under the injector lines.
Original wire sets had removable ends.

I'll try to post some photos of orig parts in the soon.

Yes the 230SL used the metal tube to hold the spark plug wires.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[wwheeler]

I agree that with the distributor cover on, the wires have to go under the injection lines on a 280. What cap ends would you use if the cover was used, Straight or 90-degree?

Wallace Wheeler
Texas

[ja17]

Hello Wallace,

Glad to see you made it to this forum! You will find an enormous amount of information here along with a great group of helpful ownrers.

Wallace has a W111 280SE Coupe which shares most of the same  mechanicals as the W113 cars.

All the original wiring for these M130  series engines had right angle connectors at the distributor. The 230SLs had the straight ends. Not sure if they changed before or after the 250 series.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[ja17]

Hello JP and knirk,

I have maintained this 280SL for the last 35 years and know the wire set to be original.  Periodically I have had to replace some of the wire ends with what is available new or used.


Download Attachment: wires.JPG
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It is a 1969 280SL with factory electronic ignition. It has the 5k ohm spark plug ends and the 1k ohm distributor ends.


Download Attachment: wires2.JPG
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Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[wwheeler]

The Beru set I bought from my dealer was pricey but is very nice. It looks very similar to the set that Joe shows and even has the rubber sleeve around the wires. It also came with the 90-degree cap ends.

It is amazing how much the 111's and the 113's have mechanically in common.

Wallace Wheeler
Texas
'68 280 SE 111