Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => Electrical and Instruments => Topic started by: RonnieStiggs on June 22, 2025, 00:28:37
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Hey All,
As a quick backstory to how I got here, My 1966 230SL was my fathers, he was a master Mercedes mechanic before he passed away (almost 15 years ago), after some time (almost 10 years) of sitting in a garage his car got passed on to me. I've gotten it running on and off since then. Recently, while I was attempting to adjust the fuel air mix, I hooked up my RPM guage to the positive lead on the ignition coil instead of the negative lead, and cranked it a few times before realizing my error. The car has not started since.
After testing individual components it seemed like my distributor wasn't sending spark to the plugs. Since every car I've worked on the ignition of has used coil packs I did some research and after a lot of confusion I discovered that some time ago my dad had put a PerTronix Electronic ignition on the car, and I had fried it. No problem I thought, its annoying but after $200 and a couple minutes of work I can resolve this no problem. I purchased a PerTronix 91864LA Ignitor II (which PerTronix states is for a 1966 230SL), it came, I installed it, and still no start. I did some more digging and found that:
1) A non-zero amount of spark is being output by the distributor (used a test light)
2) I think the point pivot pin has been removed from my distributor (I was going to give throwing a set of points in there a go).
3) The distributor on my w113 is not on the list of distributors for our cars per Bosch. The distributor I have has part number - 0 231 116 052
I have some shot in the dark guesses on why this would be, however I have no solid point of reference as I can't find mention of that part number anywhere on these forums. As the ignition I fried does not have a readable part number on it I can assume my current electronic ignition will not work with my current distributor. So my questions are
1) Theoretically why would someone use a different distributor in this car?
2) Am I correct in assuming the distributor and the ignition I have are incompatible?
3) Am I dumb dumb and can I still get points on here (all I know about distributors I know from researching this problem so I'm could easily be missing something)?
4) Is the most sure solution sourcing a proper distributor for this car and putting the electronic ignition I have in it (or the original points)?
Here are some pictures for reference. (If this would fit better on a different section of the board please let me know).
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Looks to me like 062 which would be the transistorized aluminum distributor for a 70-71 280
https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/Distributor#toc-1.4
With that distributor, the pertronix version you purchased would not be correct. It would be 91863.
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I suppose that does make more sense than an 052, is there any advantage or disadvantage to running a 062 on a '66 230SL?
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I think aside from the number of cylinders, the big difference in distributors is in the mechanical and vacuum advance characteristics. And the vacuum part could be advance or retard. As emissions regulations came into play, all that changed a bunch from year to year.
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Ronnie Trigg’s
Reduce your distributor angst and ditch your old distributor and replace with a 123 Electronic Distributor (+/- $400). 123 Distributors has a USA arm that sell and service same…great customer support as well.
Benefits: you'll get the distributor that is matched to your engine; install is easy; it looks OEM; no points or condenser ; you will never have to adjust after initial install and timing.
BTW: I have retrofit on my 1970 280 SL and my 1957 190 SL several years ago…both flawless to date. Search this forum for 123 Distributor for many satisfied customer testimonials.
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Have you confirmed the engine? Maybe the 062 is there because someone put in a 280 engine?
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Have you confirmed the engine? Maybe the 062 is there because someone put in a 280 engine?
I did some digging and the (60 year old 100K+ mile worn) engine ID plaque seemed to match the chassis plaque, and both are for a 230SL, this did jog my memory, however, and I have a vague memory of my dad mentioning something about having the engine bored out to 2.8L which would match the displacement of a 280SL. Though that is from foggy memory so it may not be true, and I'm not sure I have a way of checking that without tearing the engine apart.
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..., and I have a vague memory of my dad mentioning something about having the engine bored out to 2.8L which would match the displacement of a 280SL.
I don't think that's possible, but more experienced voices can comment.
Always deal with facts as you diagnose problems, test systems, buy parts, perform adjustments and fixes, and so on. Understand engine and chassis numbers, part numbers, and what is correct.
Typically, distributors are referenced by their last three digits. 052 or 061 or similar. Some are vacuum advance, some vacuum retard. Many people still run original distributor setups, but others have success with replacements like 1-2-3, Pertronix, etc. Just know what you have and how it should work, and why it should work that way.
Get good with the Search feature on these forums. We've been online 20+ years, so many things have been discussed in detail.
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A 1966 230SL will have a 051 ignition retard distributor as factory equipment. The 062 was used on North American 280SL after the introduction of emission controls in mid 1969. Both distributors are VR units.