0231 185 010 distributor timing?

[jeffc280sl]

Can anyone tell me the correct timing for a 1970 280SL 4 speed with this aluminum distributor?  If possible I would like the settings for 800, 1500 and 3000 rpms.  The service manual I have has listings for the 051 and 062 distributors but not the 010.  Thanks for your help.

Jeff

[ja17]

Hello Jeff,
Is yours a USA delivery car? The timing settings should be the same as all 280-SL cars depending on the version ( year of manufacture, transistorized or not, USA delivery etc.) Only the consumables (points, condenser, cap etc.) may be different from original. I can supply  you with BBB specs or technical data booklet specs if needed.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[jeffc280sl]

Thanks Joe,

Mine is a 1970 USA delivered car with transistor ignition and distributor 0 231 185 010.  The car runs well at 2 degrees BTDC at 800 RPM with vacuum.  At 1500 rpm the timing is 25 degrees BTDC with vacuum.  

The data I have from the Mercedes CDrom for the 1970/71 Model with US emission indicates a 0 231 116 062 distributor which should be setup at 8 degrees ATDC at 800 rpm and 0-5 degrees BTDC at 1500rpm with vacuum.

My car is not close to these readings and therefore my question about my particular distributor.

Thanks for your help.

Jeff

[Tom]

Jeff,

I think the 70/71 set up is the same.  If so, sounds like your vacuum retard is not operating as the advance at that rpm is too high.  If operating properly, the retard effectively keeps the advance at 0-5 btdc at 1500 rpm but is cut-off above 2200-2400 rpm.  Once the retard goes away, the centrifugal advance kicks in to allow full advance to about 30 btdc.   Your retard is "going away too early" which is allowing too much advance.  Most likely, you have no retard at all.

I would check your RPM relay (one of the two relays on the driver's side mounted toward the front of the car near the battery that look almost identical).  Your 2 way valve may also be bad, or perhaps the vacuum lines to the 2 way valve has been reversed.

Best,

Tom Sargeant

[jeffc280sl]

Thanks Tom,

I'll do as you suggested.  I dismantled the distributor recently and cleaned the plates and other pieces.  Everything appears to work correctly as far as I can tell.  So maybe the advance problem is caused by the relay.  Sounds like a good area to explore.  Thanks again.

Jeff