i have a 1974 280 sedan. this engine has overhead cams and mechanical lifters. i recently tried adjusting them due to the fact they are noisy, but found that all but one were properly set. i'm wondering if i should replace the rocker arm spring clips as it appears they may be what removes the lash. anyone have any experience with this? by the way, the engine has right at 100,000 miles.

I recently purchased a 280SL, which also has the M110 engine. I asked a friend of mine, who is an MBZ mechanic, about the valve noise. He indicated that these engines tend to be noisier then most MBZ engines. I wouldn't worry about it.

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Roc

'74 350SLC (Euro) (For Sale)
'01 CLK55
'02 Jaguar XK8
'04 E320 Wagon
'89 Ferrari Mondial T Coupe
'57 Volvo PV-444 (Vintage Racer in build) (For Sale)
'80 Mazda RX7 Enduro Race Car (For Sale)

+1 for the m110s being louder. However...I think there is an issue of wear on the cam towers or lobes? Somebody chime in here...?


cheers,
dan r.

Are there hydraulic dash pots or are they solid type? One is self modulating and the other is set by feeler gauge. The hydraulic type may make noise because of low oil pressure and worn dash pots (AKA hydraulic lifters in american cars). The solid kind need close attension to adjustment. You are correct though, The clips help keep the rattle down.

Can also be timing chain slapping the rails. The valve adjusters are self torquing and threads tend to wear much later on. 1974 280/8 was one of the best I've ever owned. Mine called for a valve job at/near 127k miles mostly on account of valve guides and seals. Self-rotating sodium filled valves, replaced a few exhaust valves and the rest were fine. Rocker arm wear that I didnt notice wore down the cam lobes at about 156k miles, making the car hard to start and lose power. Replaced both cams and carrier and drove the car for another 50k. The engine was running great but the body rusted to smitherines when I finally sold it with more than 200k miles.

And then couple of years ago had another twincam 6cyl, 1977 280SEL. At 189k miles it showed no wear on original camshafts at all.

...my M110 's make an unholy racket - I had somebody ask what size diesel was under the hood once (not kidding).

D'dog seems to have some knowledge although I haven't seen mention of chain slap & rails being a common issue for the M110 (I've done the rails, tensioner & chains on my V8 s religiously though). Elsewhere here I believe I've seen mention of top end wear being normal on the M110 and to expect total valve job around 200K (doing the head on my '77 as we speak, primarily 'cuz the engine is out for a paint job/color change, 2nd 'cuz known miles are around 180K and 3rd because one of the POs was getting raped for repairs that were quite obviously never done but are recorded as "done")

But I AM having fun.

Search throughout the forum - there's a lot of fans of this engine (more than dissers by far)

Kevin

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"Dangerous with a wrench...and not smart enough to know it"

Stable (in order of acqusition):
'84 500SL, 280SEL (Euros)
'77 280SE. '90 560SEL
'79 450SEL 6.9,
'95 C280 (totalled by daughter 8/07)
'81 280SL (rescued) '88 300CE
'86 560SEC '95 C36
'01 CL55

DD's: '04 S500 4Matic (SWMBO)
'04 F150 Crew

Having had a succession of sohc M129's, M189's, M114's and M130's - I have had to get used to the W123 280CE M110's "click, rattle, and roll" - and each time I think it's getting noisy, I recheck, and find it's very close to spec, they're oiling fine, etc. Just being up high and with the design of the head, cam carriers, and cover - gotta be more conductive and less shielded than any of the older engines.
By the way, both to avoid banging the springs around and make access to the studs generally much easier, I got the adjuster tool, a Hazet 2771, with one dished 17mm open end straight out and one with about a 15 deg L offset, handle at about a 20 deg upslope, and curved underside of prongs to slip under, and have found life just a little easier since... By the way, remember to check the clearance with the cam lobe pointing up and outboard a bit - the contact centerpoint being inboard of "down", on these "hemi's"...
Clatter On!

Stan

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stanbabu@3bubbas.com
59 300d
65 250SE/Cpe
70 250/8
72 250C
78 280CE