Inlet Camshaft for 73 280C
 

Hello, I have a 1973 (LHD) Mercedes W114 280C. I am 15 months into restoring.
engine number: M110 921 12011896.
I need a inlet camshaft to fit, part number: 1100519101
I have seen similar ones that state they fit with part number: 1100517401 so i am unsure and no one can give clear answer...
Seems a very rare engine as its the carb not injection version so only around 5000 made. I found that a 280CE exhaust cam and housing seemed to fit but can't solve the inlet cam issue... ah, help!
Any advice? Im in the UK.
Osh

I am a bit confused regarding exactly what it is you are looking for.

The picture you provide shows the intake cam. Is this just a picture you found on the web or your actual engine?

Okay, after having a second cuppa and re-reading your post I have a better understanding of what you are looking for.

The cam from the 280SE is not a good fit. It is made for a higher compression engine, and you will actually lose power on the carb'ed version. Overlap, valve timing, etc.

You need to find a matched set, or at least the same version of camshafts.

You could try these guys:

https://www.mercedespartz.com/store/1100517401/

Or failing that, buy a set from Ebay and maybe send them to Delta Camshaft in the U.S. or try:

https://dbilas-shop.com/en/engine-valve-train/performance-camshafts/mercedes/2-8-m110/regrind-standard-camshaft/2187/mercedes-2-8-m110/regrind-standard-camshafts

O:

That engine (and the whole car for that matter) are US spec. 1973 all USA, and 1974 all except California.
If you will disassemble the camshaft part # it reads thus: 110 051 91 01. The 91 is the cam profile code and is stamped into the rear face of the rear journal of the camshaft. A camshaft with a 33 code can also be used in the .921 engine.
All of the M110 camshafts will physically interchange, although the profiles differ.

Thanks Mike and Frank.
Yes that's the actual engine.
I bought a cam from Germany for the M110 engine but it didn't fit.
Now im trying to find a compatible one in the UK or Germany or USA but way slower and more expensive.

pic enclosed of one that didn't fit

Didn't fit? How didn't it fit? That's a new one on me. You do know the cam journals are sized and the M110 cam is installed from the rear, yes?

O:

The picture you posted shows an inlet camshaft in the cam box.
1) What is the code # of that camshaft (stamped into rear of shaft)?
2) Do you have an exhaust camshaft, and if so, what is the code #?

Well the mechanic showed me, he put the cam in and it didn't line up, so wasn't held in place.

I will upload the photo of the old housing and cam (inlet) we want to replace.

Then after will upload the new one with the 280CE exhaust cam fitted.

Hopefully that will explain it.

and exhaust

The exhaust cam has this code on it: 110 051 1601
photo enclosed

Two peoples, separated by a common language.


The first of these two pictures is simply another view of the inlet cam, not an exhaust as claimed.
The second of these two pictures is of a casting number, not a code #.
For the third time: The code # is stamped into the rear face of the camshaft!!


These errors are likely attributable to the consumption of warm beer.

Hi Frank, Not sure if i have it wrong or my mechanic (which seems unlikely). Must be me. Can I email you all the photos I have to make sensei of this?

PS no code on the camshaft...

When you open a reply or quote window, scroll down to "Attach Files" and click "Manage Attachments". That is where to post pictures that will appear as thumbnails.
You can start an email connection by clicking on my user name, and then send email.

The picture at this location may be instructive:
https://mbmanuals.com/pics/m110-motorteile-diagramm.jpg
and this one also:
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.pinimg.com%2F736x%2Fe0%2F8f%2F28%2Fe08f28a59a86031ac64941ef81f34f78.jp g&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F845339792549985330%2F&tbnid=Pr6M4jqV-jtz8M&vet=12ahUKEwjDg8PoybX5AhVlHDQIHReJA8AQMygaegUIARC4BA..i&docid=aY-kFKfilXT-DM&w=512&h=288&q=mercedes%20m110%20engine&ved=2ahUKEwjDg8PoybX5AhVlHDQIHReJA8AQMygaegUIARC4BA

These are the stamped numbers (codes) to which Frank is referring. Found on the rear of the camshaft.

Code on intake cam:
Attachment 165262

Number on intake cam:
Attachment 165264

Code on exhaust cam:
Attachment 165260

Number on exhaust cam:
Attachment 165263


This is from a 1973 /8 280 U.S. version (carbureted). It appears the exhaust cam has been replaced with an aftermarket cam. The intake is an original Mercedes. Note the differences in cam numbers and stamping.

Thanks so far for advice. Sorry for delay, mechanic away on holiday and me working.

So i dont really understand this so here is what I have bought, if I am wrong, please correct me.

1st pic is the old housing with cams in place.

2nd pic is the new housing :
10188 Mercedes-Benz C123 280CE Coupe Camshaft Bearing Casing 1100163304

3rd pic is the new exhaust cam:
4673 Mercedes-Benz W114 280CE Coupe Engine Camshaft Exhaust Side 1100511601

4th pic is an inlet cam i bought but doesn't fit?!?

Attachment 165444

Attachment 165445

Attachment 165446

Attachment 165447

Any help or adv ice appreciated as i dont understand any of this anymore.

O:

Your words from your last post (#15):
"4th pic is an inlet cam i bought but doesn't fit?!?"

Please define the meaning, in this context, of the word "fit".

Well it fits but when the cam lies in its place the lobes dont line up so its loose. As is my understanding. Does that make sense?

No, it does not make sense. A picture of the cam "in its place", please.

Are you referring to the cam bearings not lining up or the journal/lobes?

I have two different M110 engines in my shop.

One is a 1978 W116 280SE and the other is from a 1973 280.

There is a difference in the cam boxes.

1978 W116 280SE:

Attachment 165460

1973 W114 280:

Attachment 165461

Note the difference of the cam bearings. The '78 fuelie has 5 bearings on the intake cam and 6 on the exhaust.

The '73 (carb'ed) has 7 bearings on the intake and 8 on the exhaust.

Don't know whether it is due to model year differences or injection vs. carburetion. I suspect it is due to injection but I've been wrong before.

So i nipped down to the garage and put that new inlet camshaft next to the old one in the housing and I can see it doesn't match, the new one only has 4 bearing journals and the old one has six to fit into the housing. Photo enclosed.Attachment 165510

Does that make sense?

O:

Did you even trouble yourself to look at the pictures that were posted by Mike D?
They illustrate exactly your situation. Cam boxes and shafts were made with varying numbers of bearing points.

Ive been away out of the country so not everything is fresh in my mind but, yes Frank I did trouble to look at Mikes helpful post but only today was I able to go the workshop and look at the old cam and housing and start to understand it and even what journals etc are, now i understand a little more so posted what I knew. As you know I am not a mechanic or even a beginner, I was just trying to work this out. Have a nice day.

Hi Mike,

Thanks, yes at last i think i sort of understand. So my 73 280 is the same as your one with the 7 bearings on the intake. There lies my problem. I can't seem to find a replacement inlet cam with the 7 bearings to match it. I have found loads that say they fit but only have 4 journals/lobes...

The oil supply to the unused bearing points in the cam box are to be plugged from the bottom, so that the unneeded oil does not escape. The number of in-service bearing points in the cam box then matches the number of cam journals.

OK so I finally found the right camshaft in South Africa, the Old Merc Guy (https://oldmercguy.company.site) is sending today so all good, thanks for your help everyone.
I will continue to not understand these cars but will slowly learn, maybe...Attachment 165528

Is there an antonym of Occam's Razor?

... i train and mentor people in my industry, as part of this process i tend to be patient and forgiving as new entrants learn and try to understand, I dont embarrass or shame them for rookie mistakes and little technical knowledge... its easy to bully and assert yourself online i see...

sometimes Frank thinks out loud.
And at times he spells it "b-I-e-r".

>>> I will continue to not understand these cars but will slowly learn, maybe...
we're all working on it. Some get closer than others.

Its when you catch yourself asking the same question twice that you've begun to understand things AND have a clue about what to do about it.

-CTH