Author Topic: Adjusting Tappets  (Read 1928 times)

col320ce

  • Full Member
  • Gold
  • *****
  • Australia, Victoria, Glen Iris
  • Posts: 590
Adjusting Tappets
« on: April 12, 2020, 09:56:43 »
I've read the BB and the guide on this website and I can't find where it says if the spring clamp on the rocker arm should be removed or not when adjusting the clearances. The guy on 'MercedesSource" says they should be... and I can confirm that it makes a difference if the spring is present or not to the gap.
Thanks for any comments...
Col

1964 230SL
1965 250SE coupe
1993 320CE Sportline

Jonny B

  • Pagoda SL Board
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, San Marcos
  • Posts: 4198
Re: Adjusting Tappets
« Reply #1 on: April 12, 2020, 14:32:59 »
I have done this several times, using the valve adjustment tour. You should not need to remove the springs. At least when my friend and I did this, we did not remove the springs.

I will be most curious to see what others have done.
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor

kampala

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Beach Cities
  • Posts: 1247
Re: Adjusting Tappets
« Reply #2 on: April 12, 2020, 16:59:06 »
I have not had to remove slings.  Have followed the excellent valve adjustment tour. Since you are a full member you have access to the best resource for this:

https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Restricted/ValveAdjustmentTour

250sl - later - manual
280sl - 1971 - Auto - LSD

wwheeler

  • Vendor
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, TX, Dallas
  • Posts: 2899
Re: Adjusting Tappets
« Reply #3 on: April 12, 2020, 17:18:12 »
Not sure why you would want to remove the springs. It would cause more movement in the arm when using the feeler gauge and I can’t imagine that being good.
Wallace
Texas
'68 280SE W111 coupe
'60 220SE W128 coupe
'70 Plymouth Roadrunner 440+6

Pawel66

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Poland, Mazowieckie, Konstancin-Jeziorna
  • Posts: 5495
Re: Adjusting Tappets
« Reply #4 on: April 12, 2020, 17:37:42 »
Exactly, I was thinking: why would you do that, this is what is holding the tappet in place. I am not sure why Kent did that - can you send a link or was it a VOD?
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

col320ce

  • Full Member
  • Gold
  • *****
  • Australia, Victoria, Glen Iris
  • Posts: 590
Re: Adjusting Tappets
« Reply #5 on: April 12, 2020, 23:04:38 »
Here's the video link.  He says it at 3:00
https://youtu.be/naB8TeL4eOk
Col

1964 230SL
1965 250SE coupe
1993 320CE Sportline

ja17

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Blacklick
  • Posts: 7414
Re: Adjusting Tappets
« Reply #6 on: April 12, 2020, 23:05:16 »
It's not necessary to remove the springs. Of coarse it is allowable if you like to do things the hard way :)
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

Benz Dr.

  • Associate Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Canada, ON, Port Lambton
  • Posts: 7220
  • Benz Dr.
Re: Adjusting Tappets
« Reply #7 on: April 12, 2020, 23:25:55 »
It's pretty easy to knock them off while working in there so I do it either way. On a fresh rebuild, I leave them off until I'm done.
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

Cees Klumper

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Fallbrook
  • Posts: 5721
    • http://SL113.org
Re: Adjusting Tappets
« Reply #8 on: April 13, 2020, 02:31:33 »
I do remove the little springs, not a big deal. Will try leaving in place next time.
Cees Klumper
1969 Mercedes 280 SL automatic
1968 Ford Mustang 302 V8
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Coupe 1600
1962 FIAT 1500S OSCA convertible
1972 Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1.3
1983 Porsche 944 2.5
1990 Ford Bronco II

Pawel66

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Poland, Mazowieckie, Konstancin-Jeziorna
  • Posts: 5495
Re: Adjusting Tappets
« Reply #9 on: April 13, 2020, 13:20:23 »
Just went through BBB - no removal of springs mentioned for our engines. The only place where it is mentioned is for some type of engines and some type of tools. Then there is a passage reminding to put them back on.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class