420SEL seems to have more power right before the pedal hits the kickdown

[WANT '71 280SEL]

Okay, here it goes. The 420 has what I think is a problem. When already underway at say 40mph, if it is floored it seems to not have as much power as you would think since it's climbing 5000 rpms or so. BUT, if you let off the pedal just right before the kickdown button, it accelerates much faster! It is as if, when the car kicks down, it is losing power. It wouldn't be the tranny slipping that bad is it? It seems as if it is maybe struggling at the higer rpms. Has anyone here ever heard of any such thing or is it just me? I can't ask my dad what he thinks or he'll just yell at me for wasting another gallon of gas every time I try it.
Thanks
David

[william rogers]

The 116 developes it's peak horse power nearer red line 5200 RPM's than the 117 4750 RPM's I have a Euro 420 116 in my Euro 500 SE so those are Euro specs but would guess that they are relitive to the American version of the 116.You are probably just entering the peak power band............

William Rogers............

[WANT '71 280SEL]

I am talking about a 126 chasis. 1987. I definitely think that something is wrong though. It doesn't seem to do it so much as if it were floored from a standtill and allowed to go through all the gears.
Thanks
David

[126nut]

When he says 116 he is referring to the engine, a 4.2 liter V8 in a 420 SEL . The 117 engine is the 5.6 liter V8 in a 560 SEL.

Both cars are 126 chassis though, that is what most of us are more familiar with, the chassis designation.

[420benz]

With that amount of millage,i would check all of the linkage from kickdown to gas pedel. At 165,ooo miles i replaced all the linkage.

[WANT '71 280SEL]

How do I check that for wear? What points need to be measured and set? What should the clearances be of the carious linkages be?
Thanks
David

[wbain5280]

Sounds to me like a full tune up is needed first. Check for vacuum leaks after that and also search on OVP EHA.

I learned alot from those postings.