Author Topic: please read this regarding ignition issues  (Read 4346 times)

paulr

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please read this regarding ignition issues
« on: November 02, 2006, 12:23:41 »
I am glad that you are reading this as I really have such good news to report. My 1970 280sl with mechanical fuel pump has had all the usual problems, lumpy tick over, stalling at lights fear, erratic take off and even wobbly gear changes. The car has been in and out of the **@$£@!! garage to mechanics who I can only describe as monkeys. I was locked into using them because of warranty obligations which I have sacrificed upon the recommendation of one of the forum users. I went to southern carburettors in Morden, South London..http://www.sciperformance.co.uk/ and have had a 123ignition system fitted and a full tune up done. They also replaced the coil and the HT leads and the total cost was £501.00.The car was 30 grand, so this is nothing is it? I was told by Roy that the pump may need tweeking but not by him as they only do what they do and I was given a full and easy to undersatnd report on my car. Let me tell you, it has never felt better. All the bubbling and traffic light fear has gone and the car feels totally different. I so wish that I had done this before and not wasted my time listening to all the rubbish that I have had to over the past months. Things like .."its 35 years old, what do you expect?..." they all smell of petrol"..."you need the engine rebuilding"...yeah, well they're all like that"
My only regret is that I won't be able to use these fantastic chaps at sci carbs again as their work here is done. Please consider this modification to your car, go the whole way and your car will behave like you never imagined. I never thought that mine would feel so sweet, and please please use these guys, they are keen and fantastic and I cant reccomend them enough...or had you already guessed that?


paulr

DavidBrough

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Re: please read this regarding ignition issues
« Reply #1 on: November 02, 2006, 14:57:41 »
I would agree with Paul, I fitted the 123ignition recently and am very pleased with it. Mine was also supplied by Southern Carburetors who were very prompt efficient.


David Brough
1969 280SL


J. Huber

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Re: please read this regarding ignition issues
« Reply #2 on: November 02, 2006, 15:32:27 »
Am I correct in my take that the 123ignition is something akin to the Petronix or Crane electronic ignition?

James
63 230SL
James
63 230SL

al_lieffring

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Re: please read this regarding ignition issues
« Reply #3 on: November 02, 2006, 16:19:41 »
quote:
Originally posted by J. Huber

Am I correct in my take that the 123ignition is something akin to the Petronix or Crane electronic ignition?

James
63 230SL


The 123 system is a replacement distributor that has an electronicly programmed advance curve instead of fly weights and vacuuim advance.

113-042-10-014715
built 11 Jan 66
904/396 blue, Ivory Tex
condition- rust bucket

Benz Dr.

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Re: please read this regarding ignition issues
« Reply #4 on: November 02, 2006, 18:11:44 »
All the more reason to supect the distributor as a possible problem. I've done enough of these things to know that once you replace everything the new ignition system will make the engine run better. Thing is, which part made the most difference?
 Not sure how much a pound is worth these days but 500 of them sounds like a healthy take for a tune up...with all the parts of course. If you're happy with the results then it's worth it.

Dan Caron's
 SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
 slbarn.mbz.org
  1 877 661 6061
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

dwilli3038

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Re: please read this regarding ignition issues
« Reply #5 on: November 02, 2006, 20:40:59 »
with a pound around $2 US, it is a "healthy take for a tune up"

Daryl
'64 230 SL Buckeye Benz Scarlet interior and Grey top Serial # 508
'77 280SE

TheEngineer

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  • '69 280SL,Signal Red,
Re: please read this regarding ignition issues
« Reply #6 on: November 02, 2006, 22:46:51 »
In all fairness, you should know that if the original system is in good repair, it works just fine. Of course, if the shaft & bushings are worn and the shaft makes an orbital motion, you don't get proper fireing. When the flyweights are stuck you don't get proper advance. So don't blame the system.
'69 280SL,Signal Red, 09 cam, License BB-59U
'67 230SL, 113042-10-017463 (sld)
'50 Jaguar Roadster XK120, #670.318 (sld)
tired engineer, West-Seattle,WA

J. Huber

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Re: please read this regarding ignition issues
« Reply #7 on: November 03, 2006, 11:55:08 »
Good points, Engineer (now that was a nice pun!)  :)

I'd second the notion that these cars can run fantastically with the original distributor. Mine has for many years (and miles). Sure the points wear out -- in some cases perhaps before they should -- but if things are in order, our cars will start and perform as they were designed.

James
63 230SL
James
63 230SL

nick350

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Re: please read this regarding ignition issues
« Reply #8 on: November 05, 2006, 14:14:05 »
I have the 123 fitted too and I agree with paulr that my car has 'never been better'. It is not to say that a correctly tuned and adjusted engine isnt good too, but the 123 is just a bit more modern. I would recommend it to any classic owner especially if it is a daily.

Nick350
r107 SL red