73 450SL almost right

I barely percieve what I think is a miss at all speeds. The dist cap & rotor are new. The point gap is good. Could it be a condensor or perhaps a vaacumn leak? Arron in Pittsburgh

[mbdoc]

Condenser isn't a condenser but radio resistor, not even needed. Misfire could be many things including; spark plug wires, injectors, & even mechanical problem.

I was told that I did not need it once before and I removed it. The car would not start, so I put it back and it started right away.

[stevebfl]

MBDoc is right, the condenser was just used for radio suppression. During a period MB was having so much trouble with the points turning blue and fouling that they told everyone to cut the condenser wire. For years afterward I would see a customer trying to buy a condenser cause some "Fool" had cut his (bg).

I have seen many a modified system in these cars as the point triggered transistor system was very crude. MBNA made a very nice system (TRW actually made it for them). I haven't seen one in years. We have installed "Allison" optical systems on many. This is extremely valuable as the points cause the distributors to wear from their one directional loading. This affects the trigger points in the bottom of the distributor. Very expensive distributor. Installing the optical system can restore the usefulness of a distributor with shaft wobble.

Thanks

Where does one obtain the optical system and is it real expensive?

[stevebfl]

Last time I got one it was under the Crane Cams logo.

BTW the ones we used had to have a separate device added to run the tach. The tach can't look at ignition primary, it must see a square wave or there abouts. We built our own in our electronics shop.