Crane XR700 installation

[hauser]

Does anyone have John Hassel's installation manual?

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

[Cees Klumper]

I just sent the document to Hauser.

Cees ("Case") Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[n/a]

cees,

Can you also send me a copy of John Hassel's manuel.  My email is lleung1998@hotmail.com

Thanks,
Louis 70 280sl red

[jeffc280sl]

I sent Louis a copy.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[n/a]

Jeff,

Thank you for sending the file. I am going to call on my mechanic to do the installation.  It has been a long debate between Crane and Pertronix. What made you decide on Crane?  Can you also tell me what coil do you use?  I have the Red coil in the car right now.

Thanks,
Louis 70 280sl red

[jeffc280sl]

Morning Louis,

At the time I decided to go with a new ignition I was not sure the Petronix unit was available for the aluminum 010 distributor.  John's detailed write up was a big factor in the decision.  I also have the red coil and 1.8 ohm ballast resistor.  I must tell everyone that my original Crane box failed.  The ignition system simply shut down and then later on the car would start again and then shut down again some time later. It cost me a towing fee and some other costs trying to figure out the problem.  Worked with the Crane techs who were pretty darn good and they asked me to send the box and trigger back to them.  They ran a test and discovered the box was bad and the trigger good.  Sent me a new box (at no charge) and the old trigger and now I'm back running great.  In the meantime I upgraded the coil because the measurements were off.  

Up until the failure and since the new box install the Crane unit has worked very well in my car.  The most difficult part of the install is the mechanical alignment of the trigger inside the distributor. Hopefully your mechanic has done this job before because after doing one the second would be much easier.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[TR]

Guys -- I've been running the Crane unit for a number of years and it's done very well ... a huge improvement over the original ingition system.

But I've always had the blue coil.  Any thoughts, comments, observations on reasons and results of changing out the coil would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Tom in Boise

[hauser]

I can honestly say that once the Crane system install it's made a world of difference.  The engine has never run smoother and as is works its way up the tach I no longer have that slight hesitation or missing.  I had the local German shop perform the work.  The owner of the shop owns a '71 280sl and claims he's had the Crane system in now for 15 years

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

[n/a]

I have decided on the Crane system because I believe the Optical system would give me more energy in the full range than the Pertronix Hall effect method. I also like the fact that the Crane does not require a perfect match to your distributor.  I hope that the new Crane, with the LED, would make the alignment easier. I am really looking forward to some performance improvements.

Louis 70 280sl red

[Naj ✝︎]

quote:The most difficult part of the install is the mechanical alignment of the trigger inside the distributor.

Hold the trigger disc in the jaw of the light unit when fitting into distributor.
I used the smaller six slotted disc, and it just clears the points mounting post, if you have to go back to points. Some tend to remove this post!
Align one of the slots with the original timing mark on the distributor rim and another with the light on the trigger. Several tries are needed here to decide exact location of the trigger.
With engine at #1 firing stroke TDC and distributor in this position, the engine should start easily for fine tuning the timing.


Download Attachment: Tim209.JPG
39.49 KB

naj

65 230SL
68 280SL

[A Dalton]

The best alignment for the shutter wheel/led positioning is to use an old dist cap with a hole drilled in it at the # 1 post for timing light/rotor observation.
 .. so, don't throw thast old cap away, it makes a good rotor sync tool..