Either pointer and all three hubs will fit any engine! I don't know what is available for replacements these days.

The story is that when the 2.8L was stuck into the 300SE, the pointer had to be moved to accomodate the air pump for the suspension (so it was visible, the air pump covered it). At some point, it was decided to standarize on the "new" pointer, but with the "old" one in common use, a hub with both scales was produced, you just had to know which one to use.

Eventually, only the "new" scale was put on the hub.

Here's the scoop:

Old pointer is 9mm wide, straight sided with a corner nipped off on the left (driver's side). Short, uses the rear scale on the hub.

New pointer is triangular, 6mm wide, and extends out past the rear scale.

Front scale reads 0 TDC at 40 degrees BTDC on rear scale.

another clue: the old pointer is directly under the bolt that hold it on, the new one is about an inch to the right (passenger side) of the bolt.

I'm guessing you have the wrong pointer for the hub installed, and all you have to do is adjust the "correct" timing by 40 degrees. You can't be too far off, as the engine won't run 40 degrees off!

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!