Mine had dual Zeniths, also electronic "laser-beam" ignition (or whatever it was) with revolving metal spikes in the distributor that fired the plugs. Also it was factory two-tone tan over brown with electric sunroof. It could have been specially ordered by the original owner, in which case MB might have put an American speedo on a typically Euro model car and installed USA bumpers when the next two-tone tan over brown 280/8 rolled off the assembly line with an engine, drivetrain and suspension already installed.

One day I'd like to hook-up with a photographer and write a 'Buyers Guide' myself () with no fewer credentials than what other authors have. I love these cars and enjoy writing, as my longwinded posts on this board demonstrate.

MB had to know the 4 bbl.(?) Solex stunk, i wonder why they used them at all. Or maybe Zenith cut down production, so naturally the lemon Solexes went to the USA along with all the automatic trannies that MB is said to have gone overboard developing at that time.

Meanwhile the best rule for finding the best Vintage MB mechanic anywhere has got to be never to trust anybody under 50 yrs old; I dunno about other dealerships but the local shop here has plenty of old sharpies working there.

Like I said, setting up Zeniths is one rare case where I'd go straight to the dealership and hope for the best. If nothing else, you always leave the place with thorough diagnosis/prognosis on the entire car just from them having test driven the vehicle.

Dunno why, but it always bugs me to see people bashing the dealership.


I think the 116 above all others had the most diverse engine selection available in the entire history of the company. I've even been told my '79 240D shares the same motor mounts and bell housing with the 116.

Wasn't that Solex 4bbl a Rochester or Holley copy?

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Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.

I'm not dealer bashing. I just don't think there are enough antiques (of any make) coming to new-car dealers to justify keeping their mechanics fluent in carb repair.

Having worked on many GM products, I believe the 4V Solex is a copy of the Rochester Quadrajet. In fact, I've seen a Quadrajet fitted to a late '70s BMW 635 coupe, a grey-market Euro version that had originally been equipped with the Solex. On Ebay a few weeks ago, I saw a 'carb-converted' 450SLC wth a photo of a Quadrajet mounted on the FI intake manifold.
As for twin-Zeniths on a twin-cam Mercedes, who knows All the variations that may have been sold outside the US, or what a previous owner may have put together. (like the mid '70s 230-4 with the throttle-body FI that was posted here a few months ago!)
All the variations that were sold here are confusing enough without having references to try to keep them sorted. Mine say the only carbs used on US market twin-cam sixes were the 4V Solex.
240DieselDog, I wish you had a photo of yours.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

Sorry no pics, but if you dont believe me then run the VIN# through MB and you will see that this 114 came with dual Zenith carbs from the factory. Original owner kept immaculate service records and the 2nd owner from whom I bought the 280/8 was not mechanincally inclined, so it wasnt an add-on.

Speaking of primitive mechanicals, am wondering if the kid who bought this '64 220Sb is aware that he will learn ignition points, dwell and timing light use unheard of among cars newer than about 1972.

What happened to the author of this thread - and did he get the car home safely?

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'80 300SD/ w116
'79 240D 4-spd
'71 750cc Guzzi

previously owned:

'83 240D 4-spd
'77 280SEL 4-spd
'74 280/8
'72 250/8
'65 220Sb 4-spd
'63 220Sb 4-spd
'63 190c 4-spd
'61 220Sb 4-spd
'60 190b 4-spd

I don't thnk David said he had bought the car, just that he was lookng at it. Hope it's a stickshift - less to go wrong (or leak).

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

I went and looked at the car yesterday. I was so dissapointed yesterday. It wasn't repainted 5 years ago, at least not professionally. The seats look like they're out of a '85 Chevy van. They were big cloth seats. The tint on the windows was peeling off. You could see the original white paint all over under the newer gray paint. All the windows had thick black silicon around them where someone didn't want to buy window seals. I can't believe I wasted 4 1/2 driving time to see that piece of junk. Then to think he wanted $2,000 obo. I wouldn't give a $100. I guess I'll keep my eyes open. I keep seeing the nice ones on ebay. The prices on them are going up since I've seen within the past year. Cars always do when I look at them.
Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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Yeah, there's alot of repainted trash out there. It's very important to go look in person, especially at cars on Ebay. Better to spend 5 hours on the road than to get stuck with a butchered car.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW