230SL camshaft number

[Ron]

Anyone know what type engine belongs to the camshaft my car has?  Its number is 180 051 7801 and is what I installed on this rebuild.  It is a cam from an eBay seller who claimed it is correct. 

(What the car came with was: 000 051 7801 - this one is badly pitted.  What the parts book lists are: 180 051 7601 replaced by 180 051 8401 and/or 121 052 0201 replaced by 121 052 0301.)  So confusing. 

Thanks in advance for any information. 

Ron

[114015]

Hello Ron,

180 051 7601 replaced by 180 051 8401 is correct for the 230 SL engine. Everything else is incorrect.

The M121 are 4-cylinder gasoline engines (190 SL, 190 sedan); thus there cams don't fit the 6-cylinder engines.

Don't know where the xxx 051 7801 cams belong; maybe 220 SE.
The new 230 SL cam is still available from the factory; around 450 €uro or so.

Good luck!

Achim

[Ron]

Thanks Achim,

Eventually, the parts guy at the local dealer did find out to order the cam, the 180 051 8401.  By then the engine was back together, and I'm ready to start it.  Then the parts guy said he'd give me a good deal, $400, new. 

BTW, the "code" on the back of the cam I just put in is "84".  The old cam that I replaced was also marked "84".  The cam numbers cast in camshaft are: old 000 651 7801 and new (but used): 180 051 7801.  The old one ran fine, but was pitted. 

A friend sent the attached cam list, the 84 is not on it.

So should I pull this thing apart again and put in that new cam from the dealer? 

Regards,

Ron
 

[66andBlue]

The camshafts for a 230SL were either a "76" or a "84".

[Ron]

Thank you so much Alfred.  It is great that I don't have to take the head off, the engine has the correct cam in it.  And I don't have to buy another cam!

Since the 2 cams that I have, have 2 different part numbers, but are both stamped "84" on the rear, I'm assuming the part number is for the "blank" cam, and the "84" is the grind.  Is that correct?

Alfred, I don't where you found that chart that you attached, but it is invaluable for this site on this topic.  I had looked all over the net without success to find out what 84 meant.

Regards,

Ron

[66andBlue]

.....  I don't where you found that chart that you attached, .....

Ron,
you can find such technical information and more in the "Technical Data - Passenger Cars" booklets from Mercedes. There are three for our cars, the 1966 issue for the 230SL, the 1969 issue for 250SL/280SL and the 1971 issue.
The Classic Center sells the 1969 issue in a reprint - but the drawings are not as sharp as in the original.