MSD Ignition

[Harry]

Just curious whether anyone has added the MSD Electronic ignition to one of these cars (230SL)?

Harry

[thelews]

Why, when you can drop in a nice 123 ignition that is all electronic and compact?

[mdsalemi]

I don’t see an MSD in the current catalog for our cars...

An accepted standard for electronic ignition for our cars is a Pertronix; cost is around $100 +/-.

And therein is the answer to why not just get a 123; it’s 4-5x the price. If your distributor is in good shape a Pertronix will be a worthy update to your ignition. If your distributor is worn, however, that’s a different story.

[Harry]

Thanks to both of you.  I had looked at the Pertronix, and had an MSC in another build years ago.  Which Pertronics is the correct one?  (I expect I can find that here on the forum.)

Harry

[Charles 230SL]

.. I had looked at the Pertronix, and had an MSC in another build years ago.  Which Pertronics is the correct one?  (I expect I can find that here on the forum.) Harry

hello Harry, I installed a Pertronix System in my 230SL about 2 years ago; Pertronix System #1867A.   https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=28785.msg208142#msg208142

[mdsalemi]

I believe there are slightly different model numbers for the Pertronix depending on the distributor model which of course is in relation to which car you have. Mine is the cast iron -051.

If your distributor isn't up to snuff; if it is worn or has any other issues, an electronic ignition won't do you much good except perhaps to confuse you a bit. Before I installed mine, by distributor was refurbished/rebuilt.  At that time the 123 was just emerging as a solution.

The Pertronix has been in for nearly ten years now and hasn't given me any issues.