Pertronix Installation on 051

[George Des]

I'm in the process of converting a std 051 distributor w/vacuum retard to the Pertronix setup. I have the 1864LA Pertronix. Couple of things have come up during installation. I understand I need to grind back the vacuum push rod pivot attaching assembly slightly to allow the magnet to sit properly, that's no big deal--good pictorial of this in Randy Durrance's Ponton article. I do have a question about the module assembly though. It looks like this just slides over the points post. Is there anything that further locates the assembly such as another screw down point? When installed, mine seems to be free to float around and in fact it looks like the magnet wheel will rub directly against it--is this correct? Also there is a white piece of tape over the face of the module facing the magnet wheel--does this stay on or come off? Lastly, I looking down on the distributor, the module wiring exits the module from the left. In order to bring the wires throught the hole I the distribuot body, I need to route the module wiring behind the module--again is this correct? Anyone have pictures they can post of their own 051 Pertronix setup so that I can compare?

Thansk--George Des

[George Des]

Sorry for all the mispellings in the last post. My fingers are slipping all over the darn keys, but my mother taught me better!!

[TheEngineer]

I installed a Pertronix 91867 in my 009 distributor. The 009 is the aluminum body replacing the 051. Picture attached. The 91867 is the improved version of 1867 which I installed at first. Engine ran very nice up to 3000 RPM. Over that it missed badly. The 91867 works fine: The engine has a little more power, but does not idle as smooth as with points. If I set the idle below 600 RPM it sometimes quits. There is no spark. I test for spark using a timing light. I set the minimum idle at about 700 now and have driven the car for about 400 miles.

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'69 280SL,Signal Red,007537,tired engineer, West-Seattle, WA

[Naj ✝︎]

George,
There should be a short c/s screw to secure the plate down. Goes where the original points screw went.
Magnet wheel should have a white dot on it to signify later improved model.

Couple of pictures:


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naj

65 230SL
68 280SL

[mbzse]

quote:Originally posted by theengineer

I installed a Pertronix .../.. Engine ran very nice up to 3000 RPM. Over that it missed badly.

Running well to just over 3-3500r/m and there it stumbles and misfires – this is symptomatic for the faulty Pertronix magnet rings!! The company gave out rings that were wrong for our 6 cyl engines – causing untold misery to the Mercedes oldtimer community  :evil:  .    The correct type Pagoda magnet ring should have a white dot on it, as Naj writes. Pertronix will exchange your ring for free, approach the vendor you bought your kit from

/Hans in Stockholm

[George Des]

Naj,

Thanks. I found the hole for the other screw. DiD not realize I had to unbolt the module unit from it's bracket to get to it. Is there a gap that needs to be set or it this one self "gapping" so to speak.
What about that white peice of tape with the writing on it--does it stay or go?


George Des

[Naj ✝︎]

Hi, George,
I left the sticker on as you see in the picture.
I beleive I had to file a little notch in the Pertronix base plate where there is a bent-over tab holding the original upper distributor plate to the lower. Otherwise, the hole for the c/s screw does not line up. This should give you a reasonable gap.

naj

65 230SL
68 280SL

[hands_aus]

Hey George,
You may have to adjust the timing a degree or two and of course the air/fuel mix.
My cars' idle was fine but at speed, pinging.

Hey Naj,
I left the condenser on the outside too... just for appearances.

Seems to be a great unobtrusive modification to my car.

Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto