adding a touch of timing

[merrill]

hello
i wanted to add a few degrees of timing to my 66 230.

currently i am at 30 deg at 3000  rpm

would it be ok to go to say 32 or 34 degrees?

the car runs ok, but i wanted to see if i can improve the starts and perk up the motor.

thank  you in advance - Matt

[ja17]

Yes go higher if possible, just make sure you are using premium fuel.

[wwheeler]

From reading many posts about timing, I find it somewhat confusing. 30 deg @ 3000 RPM is stated on the tag, but as many have said and I do as well, have the timing higher than 30 deg. I believe it has been said that 30 deg. should not be the actual timing reference mark @ 3000 rpm, but is only the amount of advance from idle to 3000 rpm (30 deg. includes both mechanical and vacuum advance). If that is true, then the timing on the damper should read 38 deg. (30*+8*).

So what did the factory set it at? If the reading was at 38*, then why make the tag so confusing. Or maybe it was set at 30* for fuel quality reasons with the intent that it could go much higher? I use 100 octane and have it set around 38* and no pre-ignition problems. 

   

[merrill]

hello
I set the timing at  37 - 38 deg at 3200 or so rpm.

lets see how the car runs now.

and yes i am using premium fuel

thank you - matt

[Benz Dr.]

30 degrees is how much the distributor is supposed to advance at 3,000 RPM. Once you add 8 degrees for idle timing then you get 38 degrees full advance.

[merrill]

hi,
the car seems to like the increased timing.

I may go with a little more.

[wwheeler]

My freshly rebuilt 220SE W128 motor seemed happiest at 40 to 41* on the test stand. I am in the process of finishing the installation and will drive it soon. We will see. The W111 280SE is near 38* and happy.

[Benz Dr.]

Yes, you need at least 38 degrees full advance to make them run like they should.

[merrill]

i was able to get the car to high 30's max timing.

one issue i have is my distributor has a lubrication point that interferes with the distro clamp.   Photo attached.

I have the distributor turned to max while i still am able to tighten the allen bolt and then almost maxed out the micro adjuster.

the interference makes adjusting the timing tricky.

[ja17]

Your distributor is not indexed properly. Send us a picture of the whole distributor so we can advise.

[merrill]

hello
photo of distro attached.

I may need to pull the gear out and rotate it

[Tyler S]

You can check to see if your distributer drive gear is index properly by setting the engine to TDC #1 and removing the distributer cap. The rotor should be pointing twards the battery

[merrill]

Tyler
hello
yes ,  at TDC the rotor is pointing toward the battery.    maybe angled back a little.

[ja17]

Looks to me that the drive gear is one tooth too far counter-clockwise. The vacuum pod should be approx. at the 1:00 - 1:30 clock position .  Check the BBB for some good pictures if you have one.

[merrill]

Joe
hi,
I have the BBB.

I will review.   its been a long time since I pulled the gear,  need to research that.


thanks again!
Matt

[Tyler S]

Ok, If the rotor is pointed at the battery then the gear is most likely in its proper placement.
Check that the rotor points to the small notch on the top of the distributer housing when at tdc. It is possible the distributer is just turned too far and the ignition wire sequence on the cap is off by one all the way around. #1 plug wire on the cap should be over the notch.

[merrill]

Tyler
hi,
yes the rotor is pointing to the mark on the distributor.

i think i will pull the gear and try to get it one tooth clockwise.

thank you - matt

[merrill]

Finally got around to pulling the gear and moving it one tooth CW

I am finally able to properly adjust the Distributor.

thanks everyone