When ordering parts for my '75 450SL I am often asked for the engine number. Two engines were used that year. They are 117.982 and 117.985. No plate exists anywhere on the car that indicates the engine number. Not even the original service and warranty booklet has the engine number. My VIN is 107 044 12 021781. The car was manufactured 06/74 and sold 11/74. It was titled as a 1975 model. It has the original engine. Does anyone have an MB listing that shows the engine number on this car? Thanks, Steve Guinter

The engine number on MB V-8s is stamped into the top of the block behind the left cylinder head. On an SL theres little room, but it can be seen. Also the EGR tube runs right over the top of the number. But a little carb spray and a good flashlite should provide you what you seek.
Good Luck

Aside from finding the right number as described above, you can tell the difference between a .982 and a .985 by just looking at it. The .982 motor uses D-jet EFI. The .985 motor uses CIS.

The D-jet car has 8 blue (or black) fuel injectors on top of the motor with a hard metal fuel rail running in a ring. The fuel lines start by the master cylinder and forms a loop that ends back there.

The CIS car has what look like metal injectors, each with a metal line running back to the fuel distributor. It's very much like a spider.

There are lots of other things to point out, but that's what you'll see immediately with the air cleaner off.

-CTH

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