distributor dust cover

[Davek1]

Hi all, could someone confirm to me whether all Pagodas originally had a distributor cap dust covers fitted or was it just early cars. I see very few cars with them on nowadays. If they were fitted to 280 SL then I was thinking of finding one and fitting it. I presume you would need straight lead connectors. Thanks

[Pawel66]

Quite a lot of info on the forum about it, you may want to search if more details needed. An example here: https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=30310.msg219484#msg219484

[Davek1]

Thanks for this, i will see what I can find

[ja17]

Original dust caps were used only on later pagodas. Originals had the metal snaps and later on other MB models had plastic caps. Prior to the plastic cap the spark plug wires were routed over the injector lines. When the caps came to use, the spark plug wires were routed under the metal injector lines.

[Benz280]

My sources tell me the same thing, that on later models they came with the dust covers.
The story continues that when doing work they just did not replace. I'm a bit thrown off by the story given that it takes about 48 seconds to put back, what was the reason not to put back.
In any case I was able to find one on Ebay for about $80.00   

[Jonny B]

As Joe indicated, if you are concerned about originality, the ones for the Pagoda had three metal snaps to secure the opening. The later caps are all plastic.

[Davek1]

I think finding one with metal snaps may be a stretch to far, as I have never seen one for sale, I am willing to except one with plastic snaps

[MikeSimon]

I am a little confused here (once again!) Are you guys talking about a cap for the distributor or one for the coil? I have a cap with snaps on the coil, but nothing on the distributor.

[Cees Klumper]

Distributor, see here for example:

https://www.authenticclassics.com/230SL-250SL-280SL-IGNITION-COVERS-BOOTS-p/auth-002442.htm

[250PWC]

I think finding one with metal snaps may be a stretch to far, as I have never seen one for sale, I am willing to except one with plastic snaps

I saw one on eBay a year ago and it was not cheap (US$300).

[Pawel66]

My sources tell me the same thing, that on later models they came with the dust covers.
The story continues that when doing work they just did not replace. I'm a bit thrown off by the story given that it takes about 48 seconds to put back, what was the reason not to put back.
In any case I was able to find one on Ebay for about $80.00

48 seconds.... well, I tried to install it, I even did. Then first time I had to get to the cap - remove it, replace it... forget it. I do not use it. It is on the shelf.

[Davek1]

Found one (Plastic Snaps), not cheap. Hopefully It will not become a paper weight

[mdsalemi]

First time I saw one was on the late Frank Cozza’s car at Dan Caron’s “Meeting of the Clans” in 2006. I ordered one that week. It wasn’t costly at that time.

Glad I did.

Parts prices aren’t going down…it may be more costly next year and then you’ll wonder why you didn’t get it today…