'71 W111 coupe 280se 3.5 flywheel spacer problem

[Edgaras]

This model has manual transmission. And between flywheel and crankshaft is about 5mm spacer. Everything would be okay with that spacer, but the starter motor goes just half way on wlywheel.
There is a donnor w108 manual with same engine and there is no spacer. And with starter motor everything is fine.
Also there is another w111 coupe, same engine, but automatic transmission and there is the same spacer. Don't know about flywheel teeths.
So can somebody tell, must that spacer be there, and how about clutch slave cilinder, which, i think, (the rod) should be longer. Aslo the bolts were the same length as in w108.

[Benz Dr.]

I think the spacer is only for cars with auto transmissions. I've never seen a spacer under a standard flywheel - at least not on 4 or 6 cylinder cars so I'd expect V8 cars to be the same.

[Tony H]

I have a manual 3.5 coupe and there is no spacer.

[Edgaras]

Ok, thank You. I think, i will remove it.

[Tony H]

Insure you are using the correct flywheel mounting bolts-they are not the same as an auto trans. Also they need to be measured for stretch before reusing them. I would highly recommend you have a factory manual for the work you are involved with-there are a lot of variables that "seem" correct. Reason I'm posting in the middle of the night-I have the flu and sleep is impossible.

[FreddMersaid]

Is it a spacer or a shim ? Are you sure it's 5MM think ? Between the crank and flywheel sound like a shim to me. Necessary for setting the crankshaft end play ?.

[Tony H]

The information really needs to be studied from the manual to do it correctly-it's too much to try and relay on a post. the #3 main sets the crankshaft end play. On an auto there are 2 of the spacers-one on each side of the flexplate. The crankshaft end flange came in 2 versions one thicker than the other. If someone put a different crankshaft in the car they might have used the spacer to compensate. You might be opening a can of worms. Insure the bolts are the correct length for the combination.

[GGR]

No spacer, and the slave cylinder rod is longer than on 6 cylinder cars.