123 Distributor

[Harry]

Hi,

(1966 230SL) I have been reading various posts about these distributors and was curious about the bluetooth model versus the manual rachet style?  It looks as though the bt is more flexible on programming various centrifugal and vacuum curves, and is just a few dollars more expensive.

Thoughts?
Harry

[Bshaunessy]

Harry
 In last two years I have retrofit the NON bluetooth 123 distributor in: 1957 190 SL, 1970 280 SL, 1975 450 SL.  Totally satisfied with product and performance for all three.  Install is simple.
FWIW:   I chose the non Bluetooth model as the embedded advance curves ( multiple to chose from) perform quite well AND i didn’t want any more Bluetooth connection issues and techno stress. 
  Either way, I think you will be pleased with the product.

[roymil]

I have the bluetooth version and love it.  The iphone app works well and really affords a lot of flexibility with the curves and has some nice features like password ignition lockout for example.  It lets you see the data make small adjustments to optimize as you like.


You should check their website but, bottom line, if you are the set-it and forget-it type with all your other technology then you don't need bluetooth.   If you're a hopeless EE tech nerd who enjoys optimizing everything, then you will find it well worth the price premium.

In any case, either version sure beats heck out of adjusting the points, which is also fun in its own way, just not every 5K miles which seems like I was having to do.

enjoy !

[Harry]

Thanks all!

I'll make a decision and get the ignition updated.

[mdsalemi]

If you have a distributor that doesn’t have any seriously worn parts, meaning the shaft, any bearings, bushings, etc. are okay then no reason (for the set and forget types that don’t need to tinker) why a lower cost solution won’t work for you.

After having my -051 rebuilt back in 2011, I installed the Pertronix. Haven’t touched the ignition since. All is well.

[Harry]

Thanks Michael.  I appreciate the advice.  I had actually installed two separate Pertronic units and was ultimately not satisfied with either.  The first was a bit of an installation issue (which should have been very straightforward.  I removed it and installed points again and the car ran better.  After a while, I decided that it had to have been my error so I bought another unit.  That one did install easier and the car seemed to run better for a period.  (When I installed the new one, I had also installed new points and plugs.)  Then it developed an erratic miss - not bad but clearly there.  I tried looking at what the issues could be but ultimately went back again to the points/plugs and it ran better, i.e. the miss was gone (or vastly improved).

Might be worth removing the distributor and just looking it over more closely before I pull the trigger on the 123.  The miss may not be something to be concerned about but it was bothersome to me.

(Are the distributor dimensions/tolerances in the Tech Manual?)

Harry

[mdsalemi]

Interesting.

I had a very minor installation challenge; mechanical in nature. I believe I had to file a bit of the pickup base plate in order to get it installed in the distributor back in 2011. I took the advice of Pertronix and installed their Flamethrower II coil. Once that was done, adjusted the timing.

That was all 13 years ago and it’s been fine since. Super smooth idle, never a miss: No issues. Maybe I was lucky.

[zoegrlh]

Had mine rebuilt some 15 years ago, thought about a Pertronix back the , but desired to have the rebuild, had new points and condenser, once timing reset, new plugs and new plug wires it has performed flawlessly. Did have Joe Alexander adjust the linkage back a Virginia  PUD some years ago, and engine even improved performance. So I think that if you really look at you distributor for play in the shaft you might consider, rebuild, replacement with rebuild.

[Peter h]

ich habe vor jahren auch mal eine 123 tune eingebaut. Ich habe aber danach beide Verteiler überholen lassen und auf elektronische punkte umgerüstet.
Sie laufen jetzt super ohne Probleme und ich vermisse keine 123.
Peter

[mdsalemi]

Had mine rebuilt some 15 years ago…you might consider, rebuild, replacement with rebuild.

2009 isn’t 2024. When my -051 was rebuilt in 2011 by Glenn Ring in Long Island NY, he was working with [some of] the last remaining available parts…so I was told. So this is a serious question, not rhetorical: can these Bosch distributors still be rebuilt? Where are the parts coming from?

[mdsalemi]

ich habe vor jahren auch mal eine 123 tune eingebaut. Ich habe aber danach beide Verteiler überholen lassen und auf elektronische punkte umgerüstet.
Sie laufen jetzt super ohne Probleme und ich vermisse keine 123.
Peter

“I also installed a 123 tune years ago. But then I had both distributors overhauled and converted to electronic points.
They now run great without any problems and I don't miss the 123.
Peter”

Zur Erinnerung: Unsere Foren sind englischsprachig.

[Peter h]

I also included a 123 vote years ago. But then I overhauled both distributors and had them converted to electronic points.
Now they run super without problems and I don't miss the 123.


Sorry, my mistake.

[zoegrlh]

Michael, good question. I sent my distributor off 17 to 18 years ago and the company said they could send me a rebuilt or rebuild mine. I will try to find my receipt to find out the name of company and if they still rebuild. It’s mosty the bushings that are the problem and I’m sure those are still available, and if this company was doing a lot of rebuilds then they would have parts available. I will find out and get back to you.

[Chris Long]

I installed the Bluetooth 123 and love it. Car starts and drives amazing. Much better than before with points. 

Even though I had a late model 280sl I was able to setup to ignore the failed vacuum setup.

Very happy.