Thanks for the previous help, this is a great site. I'm just an ol' shade tree mech workin on my first mercedes. i'm having trouble getting the distributor to turn to set the timing ( i mean pry bar tuff to turn) .The motor wants to run,but won't idle . There seems to be no vacuum advance on distributor, so i assume it's centrifical advance. Would going to a pointless conversion be the answer? The books i have are fairly vague on pulling the distributor out. But if it's this hard to turn, i'm afraid i might make things worse to try and muscle it out. Any help is appreciated. THX

Did you loosten the set screw?

Dont use a very big prybar or you will damage the housing!

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

If you don't already have it, pick up the service CD from mercedes. It's about 20$ plus shipping. Call 1-800-for-merc.

-CTH

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thanks for the replys, and yes i did loosen the set screw, and i did get the factory service CD-Rom, and the questionable chilton manual. Maybe i'm not reading things right, but they say the distributor's held in by the one set screw. I've taken it out and it still won't budge. This car is my son's and my hobby car. He's away in college and i'm here without his brain power (Yikes!) I just thought all the years have got the dist. frozen. Thanks for all your help. I'm on disabilty with a bad back,so the $ are tight. I worked on the assembly line at Chrysler years ago and have always tried to fix my cars if i could. I read all the help you guys give out on this site. And i gotta say your earning some big time karma points help'n out folks with your knowledge. Thanks again! Ray

There is a bolt holding the distributor down and an Allen head set screw holding the distributor in.

You should just need to loosen the top bolt (it goes through a flange mounted on the distributor shaft much like any old American iron) to pivot the distributor for timing purposes.

I have seen cases where the lower Allen head has been so tight it actually galls the soft aluminum surface of the distributor shaft.

Remove the hold down clamp, loosen the Allen head bolt, and spray some rust buster around the junction of the distributor flange and engine block. Wiggle, wiggle, spray and repeat.

Ahhh.... Thanks so much Mike D i knew i had to be missing something. i will go look for the allen head bolt my older eyes are reminding me how age works or doesn't work.
Thx again Ray