Wayne, can you help me? NOT a BMW question...

[many944s]

Wayne, sorry for posting this here, but I am looking for the info fairly quickly:

Do you have any idea how to set the timing on a '76 Mercedes 450SL?

Thanks for any info you can provide!

Nick

[Jeron]

Sending him a PM is as fast or faster then starting a thread.

[many944s]

Thanks, I didn't even consider that..
It was early, and I don't think my brain was working yet

[Wayne 962]

Sorry, I don't know anything about most Mercedes. My mother-in-law has a '98 E320 that I've done a few projects on, but nothing major...

-Wayne

[LiquidBMW76]

Here you go. I found the info through here. http://www.powerlibrary.net/Remote/Remote.asp?ID=meadville
the password is pl2494xxxxxxxx the 8x's can be any random #'s

INSPECTION & ADJUSTMENT
All Engines (Except Diesels)

Fig. 1: Disconnect and plug both vacuum lines when adjusting the timing — 280, 280C and 280S engines



Warm-up the engine. Connect a tachometer and check the engine idle speed to be sure that it is within the specification given in the ``Tune-Up Specifications'' chart at the beginning of the section.
If the timing marks are difficult to see use a dab of paint or chalk to make them more visible.
Connect a timing light according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Disconnect the vacuum line(s) from the distributor vacuum unit. Plug it (them) with a pencil or golf tee(s).
Be sure that the timing light wires are clear of the fan and start the engine.
CAUTION
Keep fingers, clothes, tools, hair, and leads clear of the spinning engine fan. Be sure that you are running the engine in a well-ventilated area.


Allow the engine to run at the specified idle speed with the gearshift in Neutral with manual transmission and Drive (D) with automatic transmission.
CAUTION
Be sure that the parking brake is set and that the front wheels are blocked to prevent the car from rolling forward, especially when Drive is selected with an automatic.


Point the timing light at the mark indicated previously. With the engine at idle, timing should be at the specification given on the ``Tune-Up Specifications'' chart at the beginning of the section.
NOTE: The balancer on some engines has two timing scales. If in doubt as to which scale to use, rotate the crankshaft (in the direction of rotation only) until the distributor rotor is aligned with the notch on the distributor housing (No. 1 cylinder). In this position, the timing pointer should be at TDC on the proper timing scale.


If the timing is not at the specification, loosen the pinch-bolt at the base of the distributor just enough so that the distributor can be turned. Turn the distributor to advance or retard the timing as required. Once the proper marks are seen to align with the timing light, timing is correct.
Stop the engine and tighten the pinchbolt. Start the engine and recheck timing. Stop the engine; disconnect the tachometer and timing light. Connect the vacuum line(s) to the distributor vacuum unit.

[supertack]

Internet search engines are a wonderful thing. Can pretty much find any info you want if you've got the time & patience.

[Jeron]

Originally posted by supertack
Internet search engines are a wonderfully thing. Can pretty much find any info you want if you've got the time & patience.

Definitely time and patience, but it also requires skill. Formulating a search, digging through websites, following leads and sometimes just knowing where to look. Even with lots of experience it can take me hours to find what I need.

If I don't find what I need directly, my next step is to search not for my issue but a chat group on my topic, then search the group for my issue.

[supertack]

Use quotes, quotes, & more quotes to filter out all the garbage that is irrelevant. Search for "what you want" like this, & -"what you don't want" like this. I find it pretty easy to get multiple sites with pertinent information when I need an answer to anything.

[many944s]

Thanks liquid!
I searched, and searched to no avail! Thats why you gotta love the BBS! Every extra pair of eyes searcing makes life a whole lot easier!!

Thanks again!!

Nick