Author Topic: adding a touch of timing  (Read 5497 times)

merrill

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adding a touch of timing
« on: March 20, 2018, 13:14:12 »
hello
i wanted to add a few degrees of timing to my 66 230.

currently i am at 30 deg at 3000  rpm

would it be ok to go to say 32 or 34 degrees?

the car runs ok, but i wanted to see if i can improve the starts and perk up the motor.

thank  you in advance - Matt
Matt
Austin Tx
66 230 sl - "white"
78 300 D - Blue
98 C230

ja17

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Re: adding a touch of timing
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2018, 14:34:46 »
Yes go higher if possible, just make sure you are using premium fuel.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

wwheeler

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Re: adding a touch of timing
« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2018, 15:24:50 »
From reading many posts about timing, I find it somewhat confusing. 30 deg @ 3000 RPM is stated on the tag, but as many have said and I do as well, have the timing higher than 30 deg. I believe it has been said that 30 deg. should not be the actual timing reference mark @ 3000 rpm, but is only the amount of advance from idle to 3000 rpm (30 deg. includes both mechanical and vacuum advance). If that is true, then the timing on the damper should read 38 deg. (30*+8*).

So what did the factory set it at? If the reading was at 38*, then why make the tag so confusing. Or maybe it was set at 30* for fuel quality reasons with the intent that it could go much higher? I use 100 octane and have it set around 38* and no pre-ignition problems. 

   
Wallace
Texas
'68 280SE W111 coupe
'60 220SE W128 coupe
'70 Plymouth Roadrunner 440+6

merrill

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Re: adding a touch of timing
« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2018, 17:52:24 »
hello
I set the timing at  37 - 38 deg at 3200 or so rpm.

lets see how the car runs now.

and yes i am using premium fuel

thank you - matt
« Last Edit: March 20, 2018, 19:12:14 by merrill »
Matt
Austin Tx
66 230 sl - "white"
78 300 D - Blue
98 C230

Benz Dr.

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Re: adding a touch of timing
« Reply #4 on: March 21, 2018, 22:44:24 »
30 degrees is how much the distributor is supposed to advance at 3,000 RPM. Once you add 8 degrees for idle timing then you get 38 degrees full advance.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

merrill

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Re: adding a touch of timing
« Reply #5 on: March 23, 2018, 15:10:42 »
hi,
the car seems to like the increased timing.

I may go with a little more.
Matt
Austin Tx
66 230 sl - "white"
78 300 D - Blue
98 C230

wwheeler

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Re: adding a touch of timing
« Reply #6 on: March 23, 2018, 15:21:32 »
My freshly rebuilt 220SE W128 motor seemed happiest at 40 to 41* on the test stand. I am in the process of finishing the installation and will drive it soon. We will see. The W111 280SE is near 38* and happy.
Wallace
Texas
'68 280SE W111 coupe
'60 220SE W128 coupe
'70 Plymouth Roadrunner 440+6

Benz Dr.

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Re: adding a touch of timing
« Reply #7 on: March 23, 2018, 15:26:13 »
Yes, you need at least 38 degrees full advance to make them run like they should.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

merrill

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Re: adding a touch of timing
« Reply #8 on: April 02, 2018, 12:59:34 »
i was able to get the car to high 30's max timing.

one issue i have is my distributor has a lubrication point that interferes with the distro clamp.   Photo attached.

I have the distributor turned to max while i still am able to tighten the allen bolt and then almost maxed out the micro adjuster.

the interference makes adjusting the timing tricky.
Matt
Austin Tx
66 230 sl - "white"
78 300 D - Blue
98 C230

ja17

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Re: adding a touch of timing
« Reply #9 on: April 02, 2018, 14:19:11 »
Your distributor is not indexed properly. Send us a picture of the whole distributor so we can advise.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

merrill

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Re: adding a touch of timing
« Reply #10 on: April 02, 2018, 18:08:26 »
hello
photo of distro attached.

I may need to pull the gear out and rotate it
Matt
Austin Tx
66 230 sl - "white"
78 300 D - Blue
98 C230

Tyler S

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Re: adding a touch of timing
« Reply #11 on: April 03, 2018, 02:32:41 »
You can check to see if your distributer drive gear is index properly by setting the engine to TDC #1 and removing the distributer cap. The rotor should be pointing twards the battery
1968 (67) 250sl. 4 speed manual. DB180 Silver
1955 220 Cabriolet A. White Grey
2019 E450 Wagon. Majestic Blue
1936 Ford PU Flathead V8. Creme on tan interior.
1989 Volkswagen T3 Westfailia Campmobile. Dove Grey (blue)

merrill

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Re: adding a touch of timing
« Reply #12 on: April 03, 2018, 14:50:03 »
Tyler
hello
yes ,  at TDC the rotor is pointing toward the battery.    maybe angled back a little.
Matt
Austin Tx
66 230 sl - "white"
78 300 D - Blue
98 C230

ja17

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Re: adding a touch of timing
« Reply #13 on: April 03, 2018, 15:30:21 »
Looks to me that the drive gear is one tooth too far counter-clockwise. The vacuum pod should be approx. at the 1:00 - 1:30 clock position .  Check the BBB for some good pictures if you have one.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

merrill

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Re: adding a touch of timing
« Reply #14 on: April 03, 2018, 19:37:19 »
Joe
hi,
I have the BBB.

I will review.   its been a long time since I pulled the gear,  need to research that.


thanks again!
Matt
Matt
Austin Tx
66 230 sl - "white"
78 300 D - Blue
98 C230

Tyler S

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Re: adding a touch of timing
« Reply #15 on: April 03, 2018, 21:01:25 »
Ok, If the rotor is pointed at the battery then the gear is most likely in its proper placement.
Check that the rotor points to the small notch on the top of the distributer housing when at tdc. It is possible the distributer is just turned too far and the ignition wire sequence on the cap is off by one all the way around. #1 plug wire on the cap should be over the notch.
1968 (67) 250sl. 4 speed manual. DB180 Silver
1955 220 Cabriolet A. White Grey
2019 E450 Wagon. Majestic Blue
1936 Ford PU Flathead V8. Creme on tan interior.
1989 Volkswagen T3 Westfailia Campmobile. Dove Grey (blue)

merrill

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Re: adding a touch of timing
« Reply #16 on: April 04, 2018, 13:59:39 »
Tyler
hi,
yes the rotor is pointing to the mark on the distributor.

i think i will pull the gear and try to get it one tooth clockwise.

thank you - matt
Matt
Austin Tx
66 230 sl - "white"
78 300 D - Blue
98 C230

merrill

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Re: adding a touch of timing
« Reply #17 on: September 02, 2018, 00:53:07 »
Finally got around to pulling the gear and moving it one tooth CW

I am finally able to properly adjust the Distributor.

thanks everyone
« Last Edit: September 04, 2018, 22:17:31 by merrill »
Matt
Austin Tx
66 230 sl - "white"
78 300 D - Blue
98 C230