Author Topic: A possible third set of timing marks to avoid removing the hood?  (Read 1876 times)

Tomnistuff

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Has anyone tried to add a third set of ignition timing marks visible from under the front of the car to solve the problems of poor timing light and damper visibility because of the hood, battery, radiator hose, injection lines, distributor and wires?
It would be nice to have both the distributor and the timing marks visible from the same position but I can't do it without removing the hood alone, and I keep losing hood hinge nuts inside the hood reinforcements every time I remove the hood for whatever reason.  I'm running out of patience.
I know how to add timing marks in a different place and compensate to keep accuracy but it will be a PITA.
Tom Kizer
Apparently late 1966 230SL 4-spd manual (Italian Version)
Owned since 1987 and wrapping up a full rotisserie restoration/modernization.
Was: Papyrus White 717G with Turquoise MBtex 112 and Kinderseat
Is: Dark Blue 332G with Dark Blue Leather (5300, I think)

ja17

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Re: A possible third set of timing marks to avoid removing the hood?
« Reply #1 on: September 04, 2022, 04:02:01 »
Sounds like you need a brighter timing light Tom? Also mark the critical timing numbers with white or yellow paint! In addition I turn off the lights in the shop to make seeing the marks easier.
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

ctaylor738

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Re: A possible third set of timing marks to avoid removing the hood?
« Reply #2 on: September 06, 2022, 21:04:16 »
Also, with an advance timing light, you only need to mark and see TDC.  You set the light to the advance you want and line up TDC and the pointer.

CT
Chuck Taylor
1963 230SL #00133
1970 280SL #13027 (restored and sold)
1966 230SL #15274 (sold)
1970 280SL #14076 (sold)
Falls Church VA

austinado16

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Re: A possible third set of timing marks to avoid removing the hood?
« Reply #3 on: September 06, 2022, 21:53:16 »
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« Last Edit: September 18, 2022, 23:10:37 by Todd »

merrill

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Re: A possible third set of timing marks to avoid removing the hood?
« Reply #4 on: September 12, 2022, 14:26:02 »
when i had the motor rebuilt and it was out of the car
 i purchased a white ink pen and filled in the timing marks on the damper / pulley.

makes it a whole lot easier to see the marks
Matt
Austin Tx
66 230 sl - "white"
78 300 D - Blue
98 C230