230SL Timing and Tune Up Specs

[n/a]

Hello,
Well I replaced the ignition switch in my Sisters 230SL and now trying to get it to started, it will first stumble and then just crank. It could be a combination of bad gas and timing.  Her husband stored to over the winter with an near empty gas tank.

Where are the timing marks located and what so the timing be?

What type of hold down bolt/screw for the distributer? It didn't appear to be a 10mm or 9mm, or have a slot in it, is it a phillips?

What should the spark plug gap be?

What should the point gap be?

Thank you very much for the information, I told my sisters husband that next time he should buy a car that he can work on.

[jacovdw]

Hello,

First a few questions.

What year was that 230sl manufactured?
What is the chassis number?
What is the number on the distributor?

There are 5 different distributor versions used on the 230sl alone.
The timing marks are on the vibration damper of the crankshaft pulley (you may have to use a light and turn the engine to find them). The pointer for the timing marks are mounted on the engine near the crankshaft pulley (imagine the face of a clock - it would be at the 2 o'clock position looking from the front of the pulley).

These engines are generally set up for 30 degrees Before Top Dead Centre at 3000rpm without the vacuum hose connected to the inlet manifold.

Point gap generally 0.3-0.4mm (just to enable you to start the engine). The next step would be to set the dwell angle (or closure angle) of the points with a dwell meter. It should be 38 +3/-1 degrees (or simply 37-41 degrees).

Spark plug gap: 0.7mm if you use Bosch W7DC plugs (they come gapped already if you buy it from the dealer, but always check).

There are other threads in this forum that discussed types of spark plugs. These can be located using the search function.

The distributor is held down with a 5mm allen bolt just under the distributor.

Regards,


Jaco van der Walt
1964 230sl
1975 230.6

[Naj ✝︎]

Distributor is secured by the allen screw under it (see picture). 5mm allen key, ball ended one would be nice [:p]

Points gap 0.3 to 0.4 mm. Dwell 38 +3 / -1
Static timing: 6 deg. btdc
Plugs 0.7 to 0.8 mm.

Download Attachment: Diz001.JPG
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See the yellow paint above the dist. in the picture below?
The marks are on the crank damper and the marker in the middle of the paint marks.
Set timing at 30 degrees btdc at 3000 rpm. Being a 230, early ones have a vacuum advance distributor (0 231 116 046  on plate) while later one have vacuum retard (0 132 116 051).
Download Attachment: Diz002.JPG
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This should get you going :mrgreen:

I'm sure others will add to this.
naj

68 280SL

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by Sisters_230SL

I told my sisters husband that next time he should buy a car that he can work on.

Well, if it will be you working on it, then I highly recommend you get some manuals:
http://www.sl113.org/publications.asp

Oh, and learn to use the Search tool, link in top right corner.  You'll get a wealth of info from a couple manuals and the Search feature on this forum.

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[n/a]

Thank you Naj and Jacovdw very much for taking the time to respond with detailed information.

While I will pass on the link to the manuals to my brother-in-law, I tend to doubt that he will use it.  I believe that they are planning to sell it once I get it running.