Clock spacer

[Markp]

What is the correct, clock spacer material that fits between the back of the chrome bezel and the painted dash.(rubber vs. plastic) (round vs. flat) for a 1968 280SL?

[Benz Dr.]

Nothing that I've ever seen.

[Markp]

Interesting, So the correct fitment of the clock into the dash is chrome to bare metal? I'm suprised!!!

[Benz Dr.]

I'm, going to take this back, sort of. I have seen a black gasket under the chrome bezel on a new clock. I'm pretty sure they come that way when you buy them but original old clocks don't have this buffer.
Old clocks have a sharp ridge on the bezzel but new ones are round.

[thelews]

quote:Originally posted by Benz Dr.

Old clocks have a sharp ridge on the bezzel but new ones are round.

That sharp ridge or edge on the bezel matches the rest of the gauges.

[Benz Dr.]

That's right, which makes me think this is more like the right clock for these cars. I think the later 280SL clock is more rounded but maybe there's a third clock available that's a bit different than the first two, which I believe are factory items.
Anyone know for sure? I'm not into clocks all that much.

[KUMARB]

You have a logical question. Tachometer, speedometer and instrument cluster have gaskets (I call them gaskets, MB Parts Manual refers to them as Shims). Why does the clock not have one?

I took out the clock from my 1971 280 SL, it did not have any gaskets either. MB Parts Manual does not show any gasket for the clock, though it does show gaskets for all other dash instruments.

It is my guess, and purely a guess, that not having a gasket provides yet another source of electrical grounding for the clock. There is already an electrical grounding connector on the back of the plastic cover of the clock.

[Benz Dr.]

I don't think so. The other gages are heavy enough that they decided to use rubber buffers.
The newer ( MB PART ) quartz clocks have black plastic shims. The original clocks have no shims at all.

[KUMARB]

I do not know enough about these cars to comment one way or the other. Mine is a late model 280SL which was made at the end of the production run. The clock in car does not have any shims. The shim was either not replaced after a clock repair, or the shim was never there to begin with.

I have taken the clock out for repair. and would like to have a shim when the clock is re-installed. Any idea where I can get one, or how I can make one?

Thanks.

[waltklatt]

Though many might be confused as there is a light beige colored rubber gasket that fits around the speedo, tach and center cluster.  There is no gasket for the clock as it is a very snug fit.  But I have seen this funny fabric type of tape put around the rim(inside) of the clock bezel and black electrical tap to hold it in place.
But of course, these cars were built by the hands of many different people in the assembly plant and each one has their trademark.
Much like the small infamous notches on the fenders, each one is different depending on who made them.
Walter
1967 220SL-diesel