250C emission control keep/remove

[subforry]

I am getting my 1971 250C (w114) up and running and am thinking to remove much/all of the emission control stuff. This is a California car.


Any thoughts on if this stuff helps or hinders performance? It has the vacuum advance and retard distributor based on speed/vacuum/temp.


The details:
Speed module relays
2 way vacuum switch
3 way vacuum switch
High temp switch on the thermostat housing (seem like 1 or 2 other temp switches are missing)
Carb idle cut solenoids (I think this is what they are but the car runs without then connected)


I have a older distributor with just vacuum advance and am thinking to remove all of the above, connect the distributor vacuum advance to the front carb and enjoy.


Thanks,
Cole

[Frank Reiner]

,

[rumb]

I would leave everything there.
Why? car was designed well as is and you will create big issues with getting the registered in the future.

[Idle]

A problem folks ran into in the mid 80s was finding and replacing all the emissions control parts that had been removed so they could pass their smog tests.

Everything had to be original. Even down to the wing nut on the air cleaner.

So removing all the emissions is possible and will not mess up a thing. It will just give you less to go wrong. But don't throw anything away. You never know if you might need it again.

[aluminum]

No Smog on a 1971 ? correct ? so no worries their
I would get a 160 Thermostat for sure and if nothing else alter the Distributor to advance only . You just keep yours and install a Early Distributor ( make sure you have the washer spacer where you bolt it down ! )
More Power better gas millage.
As Smog evolved they did not run right so they heated them up trying to make them run better. Modern Smog controls "are not" much better . 195 degree Thermostats = lower
Miles the motor lasts simple as that . Early Mercedes don't like Hi Heat the heads Have Problems often .

[subforry]

thanks all for the input. Since it's pre '74, no SMOG check of any kind. I didn't think to lower the thermostat, but I know these old Benz's don't like heat.