Ignition Conversion 009 Distributor

[RBYCC]

Getting tired of my points in my 1971 280SL.
Stock transitorized ignition has been disconnected and running on conventional points/condensor.

Pertronix didn't have a listing for the 009 distributor, so based on model year they suggested the 1864LA.

Quickly discovered what the "L" in the part number indicated so it wouldn't fit the 009 with right hand points.
Sent it back and they recommended the 1864A which may need some grinding to fit.

At this point decided to go another route by purchasing the Hot-Spark 3B0S6U1

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321090473394?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

First benefit is that it's 50% + less then the Pertronix.
Upon inspection in my opinion it's a better design.
The switching module is larger then the Pertronix which to me can mean better heat dissipation.
Hot-Spark even supplies conductive grease for the bottom of the mounting plate.
The switching module mounts to the plate with allen head screws, no need to use a small wrench that the Pertronix requires !!!
The center magnet fits easily over the rotor shaft and presses down fully with just finger pressure.
It's supplied with the correct rectangular grommet for the 009 distributor.
Best  of all is it fits with zero grinding or modification.

The most difficult part of the installation was removing the screw that holds the condensor and grommet in place.
Arthritic hands and tight places tend not to go together !!!

The module, magnet and new grommet/wiring installed in about ten minutes.

Anxiety was building, turned the key and it fired up with one crank !!!!

Road tested it without setting the timing and it performed great at all speeds.
My guess is timing is probably close to spot on but will check along with emissions.
It's installed with a new Bosch red coil and no ballast resistor.
Idles much better.

Worth a try for $59.99...will buy another unit to keep in the glove compartment as a spare.

Ed A.

[w113dude]

Do you know if they have one to fit 051 distributor?

[RBYCC]

Do you know if they have one to fit 051 distributor?

Shaun

They show the 3BOS6V2L which seems to equal the Pertronix 1864LA.
Go to the website link I posted, it looks like the kit is $69.99
The pic shows the unit which appears to fit without any modification.
Ed A.





"6-cylinder, vacuum-advance Bosch distributors with 2-piece, left-hand pivot pin points. For vacuum-advance distributors. Not for non-vacuum-advance distributors. Also available in 4-cylinder version (3BOS4V2L).

Bosch Distributors:
0 231 116 051

Application:
Certain Mercedes-Benz  with vacuum-advance distributors with 2-piece, left-hand points

Mercedes-Benz:
1966-67 6-cyl 230SL Bosch 0 231 116 051 - 3BOS6V2L
1967 6-cyl 250SE Bosch 0 231 116 051 - 3BOS6V2L
 1968-69 6-cyl 280SE, SL, 300SEL Bosch 0 231 116 051 - 3BOS6V2L


Bosch Distributor:
 0 231 116 051

If a Bosch distributor has 2-piece points, an upright pivot pin will remain, standing up from the breaker plate, after the points have been removed.

12V negative ground only"

[w113dude]

Thanks Ed, will do,

[RBYCC]

Shaun

I just can't understand why the "leader" Pertronix makes a mounting plate ( 1864LA for the 051 ) that in their supplied instructions indicates an area that must be ground away if there is interference with the vacuum advance mechanism.
Why not just make the plate shorter to fit the vacuum advance distributors ?

Curious to see if the 051 Hot-Spark kit fits without grinding as the 009 kit fit like a glove.

The only requirement is a coil that has a minimum of 1.5 ohms resistance to prevent the switching unit from overheating.
MY Bosch Red coil without ballast resistor measured 1.5 ohms.

Ed A.

[w113dude]

Shaun

I just can't understand why the "leader" Pertronix makes a mounting plate ( 1864LA for the 051 ) that in their supplied instructions indicates an area that must be ground away if there is interference with the vacuum advance mechanism.
Ed A.

Ed,
My only explanation would be that the bracket must have been design for another model distributor originally then later discovered that can also fit the 051.

[RBYCC]

Decided to purchase the Hot-Spark coil which is compatible with their switching unit and assures the three year warranty.
Also purchased another complete kit as a spare.

I was using a new Bosch Red coil without ballast resistor.
Hot-Spark requires no less then 1.5 ohm primary resistance and the Bosch Red measured at 1.4 ohms after nulling the ohm meter.

Seems to start and run fine, even without timing set, using the Bosch Red but concerned about long term overheating of the switching unit.

I'll time and look at the plug gaps after installing the Hot-Spark coil.

Ed A.

[w113dude]

which coil do they recommend that should be used?

[RBYCC]

Shaun

Hot-Spark recommends their:

HS17HEC 1.7 Ohm High-Energy Coil
Item# HS17HEC , Price with Shipping: Shipped within USA $61.99 USD 1 $61.99 USD

It has a 1.7 ohm primary as their module requires minimum 1.5 ohms.
45KV output, but of course limited by the spark gap.
My new NGK BP5ES are gapped at .032.

Ed A.

[Benz Dr.]

Just to give you an idea; the black coil is 13KV, the red coil is 26KV and you say the hot spark is 45KV. That is a huge increase from original and you might want to consider using 5K spark plug resistors. I would think you could also open up the spark plug gap but I don't have any reconmendations on how much to adjust. 60KV systems often use .045'' - .060'' so you might need to do some testing to see what works best. You could also use platinum spark plugs instead of 5K resistors.
You might want to go to BP6ES which are a bit cooler plugs.

[RBYCC]

Thanks !

I was running the BP6ES, went hotter as I was having fouling problems with the points distributor.
Installed the BP5ES and ended up, within a week,  getting rid of the points and installing the Hot -Spark electronic module.
I will experiment a bit with the plug gap, the more I open ( up to a point ) the hotter ( higher voltage ) the spark will be.
Probably will go .035 - .040 max on the plugs and see how it effects starting and idling.
Experimenting and reading the plugs which always tell the story !!!
Positive of the improvement in starting, idling and running the RPM range with the Hot-Spark.
Still haven't set the timing or checked emissions as it feels very close.

Ed A.

[RBYCC]

Installed the Hot-Spark 45KV coil, more that it's compatible with the switching unit and assures the warranty.
Still haven't set the timing or anything else.

Just drove about thirty miles, mostly at 55MPH + ( up to 90MPH ) and zero problems.
Idle seems much smoother in park/neutral and in gear.

I'm sure the Pertronix gives similar results...and I'm impressed with the changeover from a points ignition.

A fresh tuneup with the points doesn't equal the electronic conversion.

Going to do a bit more driving and pull the plugs to see the condition.

[RBYCC]

Pulled the plugs after some spirited driving and they have burned clean as new.
Taking the advice of Dr.Benz and changing out the BP5ES to a colder BP6ES and increasing the plug gap.

[Cees Klumper]

Ed - just out of curiosity: did you consider changing to the 123 unit at all?

[RBYCC]

Ed - just out of curiosity: did you consider changing to the 123 unit at all?

Cees

I did and may consider in the future.

Car had been sitting over the winter and on the first drive it started to cut out.
First concern was fuel system, but when I pulled the plugs they were black and wet with fuel.
The original transistor ignition was disconnected so running on straight points and condenser.
Points only had about 2K miles, but didn't look good.
Aftermarket coil with internal resistor was leaking oil.
Replaced coil with a new Bosch Red and red resistor.
Installed new hotter BP5ES plugs.
Started up, idle rough, very rich..
Took the path of least resistance and ordered a Pertronix kit.
They had no suggestion for the 009 distributor so sent a 1864LA which didn't fit the 009.
Went with the Hot Spark which dropped right in.

To make a long story short, got it running, much better then ever, only condensation on start, no black wet exhaust and starts on a tick over and idles great.

I think the 123 may be the optimum solution from what I've been reading on the forum.

Ed A.

[Benz Dr.]

I think there are some unfair comparisons being made here. You can't expect a points and coil system to work like a full electronic like the 123. The electronic system was designed to work as a complete unit so you can run a very hot coil with it.

  If your engine was running rich before the conversion it's still running rich only now the increased spark is burning more of the fuel.

[RBYCC]

The emission readings were fine when the car was tuned and linkage adjustment made four years ago.
Idle CO% = 3.85% HC PPM = 215

Points were not pristine anymore and coil leaking oil, causing gas soaked plugs.
"Rich" may not be the correct term but fuel wasn't being fully burned due to poor spark, which caused a very sooty tail pipe.
I could place a piece of cardboard about a foot and a half away from the tail pipe and upon starting it would be wet and black with a heavy gas smell.
Now just normal condensing exhaust upon cold start which clears up as engine temp rises.

[Cees Klumper]

Thanks for the explanation Ed, sounds like you got it addressed. i can indeed recommend the 123 unit from my experience but now that you have it sorted makes sense to stick with what you have which will probably last for many years.

[naniroma0]

hello,
http://www.simonbbc.com/electronic-ignition-kits/powerspark-bosch-electronic-ignition-kit-mercedes-bosch-jfur6
hello,
here's information from the electronic ignition,