post-swap ALDA setup
 

i never got a lot of the vacuum parts that normally went with this '85 CA engine. over time i have grown more and more agitated about not being able to locate the banjo bolt ALDA hose from the intake manifold. today i submit to you: it's just not present, right? what should i expect to be the effect of this?

the clear line i plumbed to the mityvac in the cabin; not sure what i have effectively measured but it shows about 11-12 inches at idle, 3-4 under load.

before you ask, redoing that wacky glow plug wiring is coming up soon.

http://www.lithic.org/tmp/alda.jpg
http://www.lithic.org/tmp/vacuum.jpg
http://www.lithic.org/tmp/intake.jpg

Not having an alda line you will never get full fuel to the engine when it hits boost. Basically you will be running around with ~80hp vs the full 125hp that the engine will see with full fuel.

You have two options:
1. You could run a line from the alda port (red arrow) to the back of the intake manifold on the other side of the engine (if the port is open in the manifold, which it appears to be, you're also loosing boost pressure, although without the alda you won't be making much)

2. Plug the whole on the intake manifold and remove the alda. This will give you full fuel all the time which can cause more black smoke upon acceleration. It will be up to you and your right foot to limit this instead of the ALDA doing it for you

I've marked in your pictures where the alda line should be connected.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...alda.jpg?stc=1

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1369250249

thank you dude99 for the prompt and useful response!

long term, assuming it's not hard to get the right adjustment, i'd be happy to have a measure of protection against excessive smoking. to this end i'll collect the banjo bolts at the junkyard.

for today i tried putting 8x1.25 allen screws into the ALDA and manifold; i couldn't detect much change, it's still slow. it might have been a little bit faster. the vacuum shown on my mityvac increased a bit.

i'm going to have the valves adjusted and timing checked tomorrow. fingers crossed. thanks!!

Yeah, pugging the ports won't make a meaningful difference. There should be no adjustments required after you hook up a alda line. You will notice a massive difference in power though....

power, eh?

i will report back. thanks again for the data, i couldn't find record of anyone else who happened to be missing this hose.

The mechanic you used for the installation, must not have been very familiar with these MB engines and how they operate, or he would have known to connect this line.

Charlie

charlie, i can't disagree too much with that. FWIW - and this was two years ago - i inquired with six mechanics, and only two were willing to take the job on: a shadetree operator, real helpful, but out of sacramento, and a shop full of german cars here in SF. i went with the latter, but it wasn't a slam dunk, would have been fine to have more choices. two of the shops that said no thanks to doing the swap were mercedes specialists. i did not inquire at the dealer (haha).

in this case, at least no harm was done, i've just been driving around really slowly, so now i hope to get a treat in the form of decent performance after putting on the ALDA line!