1972 280SE 4.5 wont start
 

I need help, I was driving my 1972 280se this morning, it hiccuped and quit---now will turn over but no fire. I have checked and I do have fuel and can hear the pump running----what now???

Is there spark? I've had a set of ignition points fail and leave me with no spark before. They were relatively new, too. Walked to the local parts store (A&A) and got a generic set of points that fit to get me around until I picked up another set of Bosch ones.

Otherwise, it could be a dead ignition box, loose ballast resistor connection, bad coil... but check the spark, then start with the points!

i understand a Pertronix pointless system can be installed in 3.5 and 4,5 W109's.
my 108 has it for years .excellent service

mak

Got any fuel in the tank?

I had that happen once - the wire from the distributor to the resistors near the coil had contacted the exhaust manifold and shorted out. Make sure that green wire is not touching anything and is properly connected.

And set the points to 0.014" or whatever the number is - a business card thickness works.

Good luck